-No one can ever see her.- William whispered to his wife, carrying a little bundle.
-But, it's our daughter!
-She is, Maggie, but we both know what they will call her. We need to move to the countryside.
Ten years after that conversation, after the birth of Helen, they were still living in the countryside, it was a beautiful place, and they had everything they needed to live. They hardly ever went to town, and if someone had to it was always William or one of the boys. It was a happy family. Helen had grown into a little woman, oblivious of what made her different because she had never been treated the part. And maybe because of that, she started to wonder why couldn't she meet people from the outside world.
One night, when the children were already in bed, Margaret discussed about it with her husband.
-Dear, Helen has been asking a lot about outside world lately,... I think we should do something about it. We can't keep her hidden in here all her life.
-We have talked about this before, Maggie. Do you know how they treat people like her? You know it as well as I do. You have seen it too. Do you want that to happen to our sweet little daughter?
-And what is going to happen when we die? Who's going to take care of her? Who is going to protect her? Wouldn't it be better for her to get to know the real world?
-NO!- William said slamming his fist on the table, Margaret was startled, her husband was usually calm. He started crying.- I don't want her to suffer. Every time I see her playing with her brothers, I imagine how different would it have been if we had stayed. I imagine townsfolk throwing rocks at her. I imagine someone taking her from us, and putting her in a freak show. I don't want that life for her.
-So what are we going to tell her?
-I don't know, but we have to find the way to keep her protected from the outside. From the pain of other people's judgement. From the freaks outside.
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