Belle Stone

Part 3

The psychologist came, since it was just a little 5-year-old girl, she decided to go with a friendly motherly approach, doing a kind, bright smile while looking at the child with eyes that seemed like they were filled with care. Being a psychologist for a few decades made it so easy for the woman to change her look the most believable way to persuade someone into feeling comfortable with talking to her.

She kneeled down next to the child which was standing right next to the woman that gave her the name Belle, kind of using her as a shield but not because she was scared of the woman that just came but because she was tired of nodding her head all the time.
“Hi there little girl, what is your name?"
Belle disappointedly smiled, knowing her cover was ruined, and started to nod her head. This action seemed very odd to the well-trained professional who has seen all sorts of shy children in her career and it kind of intrigued her so she continued to ask questions, every time getting the same response of a nod.

Before proceeding, she turned to the caretakers to ask them some of their child-raising technics. "How young did she come here? "Ummm..very young, she was younger than a month old.”, the woman that was next to Belle exclaimed.
“Oh, okay. Did she ever interact with any of the other children here or did they interact with her?”, the psychologist asks curiously.
“No, not really. She just plays alone and the children don't really approach her 'cause she is new." "Didn't you just say she was here since she was little less than a month old?"
"Well, yeah, but you see...She was in an isolated room, soundproof, ever since she got here. No child ever saw her until now."
“Why?"
"She was a very, how can I say it, nightmare child. She had this piercing scream that would haunt you and stay ringing in your head for days even weeks after staying only 2 minutes with her, not that you could stay any more time with her without being physically hurt.“

Now observing the little girl still standing behind the woman speaking about her the psychologist noticed that she had no idea what was going on. She had no clue that they were talking about her, she showed no signs of hearing her background story but she did show signs of curiosity and wonder. So soon enough the diagnostic was made.

“Listen, here is what is going on. This little girl here, she doesn't know how to speak. She is basically a baby that just came into this world. Hearing what you said right now I assume you never talked to her nor in front of her, due to the fact of her being isolated. So my guess is she is still a baby you have to start from the beginning. Don't treat her like a baby though. Even though her speech hasn't developed yet, she is showing other remarkable signs of maturity for her age. The way she figured out to stop screaming to get your attention, the way she nods after being asked a question, the way she understands how to act in a social situation is really beyond her age. It is nothing serious, don’t worry. It is not like she will never talk. You just have to start to teach her the basics and don't forget to point at things when you address them, that way she will catch up faster. From what I saw today, she will start speaking fluently in no time. You just have to talk a lot more to her." "Really that is it. Thank you so much, doctor.”
“You are welcome, I have to go now, l have another séance." “Goodbye, thank you so much for your help again.”
"It was really no problem.”

And with that, the elderly woman walked out of the orphanage while the rest of the people there, the staff of the very same building, were left looking at Belle with guilt and sadness in their eyes. They were to blame for that this actual little angel was lacking the ability to speak.

Belle didn't notice those looks, she was just glad that the woman who kept making her nod was gone, and that she can continue playing with her dolls. As this little precious being was playing in front of these people's eyes they promised themselves they will do everything in their power to give the ability that was rightfully Belle's back to her, the ability they unjustifiably took away from her.