""No!""
Her voice echoed through the examination room.
The nurse smiled gently.
""It's okay, sweetheart.""
Sophie shook her head so hard that tears flew from her eyes.
""You can't take them off.""
Her mother looked embarrassed.
""Sophie, stop.""
But Sophie only became more frightened.
""If you open them...""
She lowered her voice.
""Something bad will come out.""
The room became quiet.
The nurse exchanged a glance with Sophie's mother.
""What does she mean?""
Her mother sighed.
""I don't know.""
According to her mother, Sophie had been wearing the same pair of oversized brown boots for nearly four months.