When a kidnapping victim earns the ability to move around freely, with the kidnapper’s trust that they will not attempt to flee. Called such because they are “upstairs” instead of chained up in a basement. Sometimes the result of Stockholm syndrome, or behaving well due to the desire to be treated better or find the opportunity to escape. E.g. Jaycee Dugard or Prairie from The OA.
I cooked and cleaned for my captor, because as an upstairs girl I was given my own room instead of being chained in the barn.
by Malkrist January 15, 2020