—Hey… are you sure about this?
—Uh… what are you talking about?
—Well… I'm just saying… even though we're already here, I'm not sure it's right to go into this place.
—I know exactly how you feel. This forest is surrounded by a thousand stories, and none of them are good.
—Then why would a human couple be living in there? That makes absolutely no sense!
—Please, calm down.
—He's right. It's not logical for ordinary people to live in a place like this… unless…
—Unless what? If they were mutants, don't you think the doctor would have warned us? Or worse, he wouldn't even have called us in the first place, don't you think? Remember what happened to his family.
—Ah… he sighed… that's true.
—I don't think I'm following… what exactly happened to his family?
—Well… do you remember the Mihondy incident? The mutant attack on the guard unit?
—How could I ever forget that…
—His daughter was crushed during that incident. They say her body was found buried beneath a mountain of rubble.
—God… that's horrific. I knew about his wife dying in childbirth, but this…
—Yes… it left him completely alone in the world. That's why he devotes himself to helping others now.
—Do you understand now why we're here?
—Yes… I do.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Tirio, who had been hiding nearby for quite some time, had heard everything. Without hesitation, he pushed the massive wooden door wide open.
—Good morning, gentlemen. I am Tirio.
—A pleasure to meet you. We were sent by Dr. Jesús, I believe—
—Yes. I spoke with him this morning.
—Good. Then let us introduce ourselves properly. My name is Calixto. I handle emergency situations in case of any unforeseen complications. These are my colleagues.
—My name is Manuel. I'm the anesthesiologist. A pleasure.
—I'm Edu. Gynecologist.
—Well, since we're all here, shall we get going? —Tirio asked calmly.
—Of course.
They began walking toward the house hidden deep within the forest.
The journey felt strangely peaceful. Too peaceful.
A soft wind whispered through the trees. Leaves drifted lazily in the cool air, brushing against one another with a delicate murmur. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting a copper glow over the dreaded forest, turning something ominous into something deceptively beautiful.
They walked for hours without speaking.
When they finally reached the house, Tirio stopped before the entrance.
—Before we go inside… may I ask you something?
—Of course.
—After his daughter's death… who did the doctor blame for the incident?
—Well… we can't say for sure. He was always a devoted, kind, and considerate man. But after losing his daughter, he completely broke down. I can't tell you much—it's personal—but I can assure you that he…
—That he what?
—That it changed him. Profoundly.
—Then I need to know something else. Have any of you ever treated someone showing mutation symptoms?
—No. After the new laws were passed, it became almost impossible. Wait… why are you asking that?
—Because it's obvious. His wife… —Edu fell silent, staring at Tirio carefully—. His wife is a mutant. Isn't she, Mr. Tirio?
—What?! —Edu stepped back in alarm—. No. I came here to treat a human patient. No one said anything about treating a monster!
—Be very careful with your words, Mr. Edu —Tirio replied, his voice low and dangerously calm.
—Answer me, Mr. Tirio. When you asked for help, why didn't you disclose that the patient was a mutant?
—Because after calling several hospitals, some agreed… until I told them the truth. Then they immediately withdrew their support. So…
—So you chose to omit that detail.
—Yes.
—I understand. Fine. We will do what we came here to do. All of us.
—But—
—Are you truly going to let an innocent woman die simply because she is a mutant? —Calixto interrupted.
—I'm leaving —Manuel declared firmly.
—No one leaves until the job is finished.
—Try to stop me.
He turned and began walking away.
The tension shifted instantly. Edu stood frozen, torn between following Manuel or staying behind.
—Mr. Edu… are you leaving as well? —Calixto asked quietly.
—I… I don't know…
—Do you remember my wife, Marian?
—Of course. And her wonderful cooking.
—A few months ago… she mutated too. I tried to hide it. But someone reported her. By the time they arrived… she was already dead.
—Dear God…
—They were going to kill me next. The police arrived just in time and arrested a couple of those criminals who call themselves vigilantes —his eyes filled with tears—.
—So that's why you're doing this…
—Yes. Because I couldn't save her. And because I refuse to keep pretending mutants are monsters when they're just human beings forced into something they never asked for.
—Does that mean you'll help us… even though Laura is a mutant? —Tirio asked.
—Yes. But I cannot do it alone. Edu?
—…All right. I'll help. For Marian.
—Good. You may enter.
They began the procedure almost immediately.
They found the baby lying beside his mother. Though he had been born two months prematurely, he appeared strangely strong and stable.
Laura lay on an improvised bed, pale and fragile, her eyes half-closed, cold sweat covering her forehead. The baby slept beside her, wrapped in cloth, unaware of the chaos surrounding him.
—Her pulse is dropping! —Calixto shouted. —Edu, we operate now!
The room filled with urgency.
Blood soaked the sheets. The metallic scent thickened the air. Improvised tools clinked and scraped. A lantern shattered. Fire briefly flared against a curtain before being extinguished.
—There's a torn artery! It didn't coagulate properly after childbirth!
—I need better light!
—There is no better light!
—Then give me wire!
Hands trembled. Breath quickened. Sweat mixed with blood.
Finally—
—It's stable.
Silence fell.
Laura's breathing steadied.
Hope returned.
Later, after instructions were given and gratitude exchanged, the doctors prepared to leave.
But at the door—
A small girl stood there.
She had followed them secretly.
—Hey, child, be careful!
—Child…? —Tirio repeated, confused. —You never said you had another daughter.
He approached carefully.
—What are you doing here?
—I came to find my mommy.
—Your mother isn't here. Where did you see her?
—Over there.
She pointed at Laura's unconscious body.
The room went silent.
Tirio crouched down.
—What's your name?
—My name is Anne.
—Anne… I need you to stay right here. Don't touch anything. Can you do that?
—Yes, sir! —she smiled brightly.
Later, after escorting the doctors back through the forest, Tirio rushed home with an uneasy feeling clawing at his chest.
When he arrived—
The door was open.
Anne was inside.
Laura was resting peacefully.
Anne sat beside her.
No locks were broken.
No windows forced.
Tirio stared at the girl—confused, frightened, ready to act if necessary.
Before he could speak—
She lifted her head.
She smiled.
—I AM ANNE.