A goblin groggily opened her eyes and rolled over in her bed. The curtains to her room were parted just enough to let the morning sunlight irritate her eyes. She rolled over once more, turning her back towards her bedroom window. A yawn escaped from her lips and she stretched slightly but remained abed.

Across the small room was a bookshelf lined with dozens upon dozens of loose papers and drawings and only a few books. Books were kind of expensive and her dad didn't like buying them more than he needed to. Sarah's birthdays were the exception.

The goblin was eleven now. A few years past what was considered adulthood for goblins and yet her father had still refused to let her leave the property. He was such a worry wart.

Sarah don't go outside the house. Sarah don't go beyond the fence if you do sneak out of the house. Sarah did you see a stranger, then hide. Sarah don’t let anyone know about your existence. Sarah stay quiet when you’re home alone. Sarah, Sarah, Sarah…

The goblin woman rolled her eyes and blinked. Wait- yesterday had been her eleventh birthday. Her crimson eyes shot wide open and she shot out of bed. The three foot tall goblin hit the floor with her green bare feet and she went running over to her dresser.

The dresser had been made for a child. Everything in her room was child size. Furniture for an adult human would be far too big for a goblin. Sarah would probably need a damned ladder to access half of her things.

A scowl found its way onto her features as she got dressed for the day. Then she was stomping through the house until she arrived at the breakfast table. “I want to leave today father.”

“Pardon?”

“I said that I want to leave.” Sarah crossed her arms over her chest.

Her father just blinked at her with his blue eyes before sighing and running a hand through his blonde hair. You know that’s against the rules Sarah.”

“The rules are stupid!” She huffed.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“You’re not leaving.”

“Why not? Are you going to stop me?”

“Yes.” Her father sighed and gestured to the table. “Now come have breakfast before it gets cold. I know how much you dislike cold eggs.”

“Fine.” Sarah scowled and climbed up into her chair and began to dig into her breakfast. “But I am still leaving.”

“No you’re not.”

“Dad! …please?”

Her father just sighed again and shook his head before going back to eating from his own plate.

“Please? I want to live my own life.” Sarah pleaded.

“You want your own life?” Her father chewed and swallowed some eggs before leveling a long look Sarah’s way. “You wouldn’t hve any life outside of our home, Sarah. There is no life out there for you. The only life you can ever have is right here in our home.”

“That’s not fair!” Sarah slammed her fist down onto the table.

“Sarah.”

Sarah winced slightly. “I’m sorry dad… but it’s not fair. Its so unfair! Why can’t I go out and live my own life? Have an adventure? Fall in love? Have a family of my own? Like in all of the stories.”

“You know why Sarah.”

“...because I’m a monster.”

“Because you are a goblin.” Her father corrected with a sigh. “And many- many people out in the world consider goblins as monsters. Even if they’re assumptions are… wrong. …the world would show you no mercy sweetheart.”

“I don’t care! Let the world be as cruel as it wants to me. I’ll take it all dad.”

“Sarah you may be old enough to be considered an adult by goblin standards… but you still act like a child.”

“...I just want to be able to have a life of my own dad. …I feel like I’m trapped here. …what kind of a life can I really ever have here?”

“You can live with me in peace and we can keep living as we have been.”

Sarah drooped and went back to eating. After a little bit she had an idea and she looked up at her father. “What about goblins?”

“...pardon?”

“Goblins!” Sarah exclaimed. “That’s it. If I can’t live with anyone else… what about other goblins dad?”

Her father frowned. “You wouldn’t fit in sweetie. Other goblins are… wild.”

Sarah’s shoulders sagged in defeat. “...are they all like the stories you told me about? …but I’m not like that… right?”

“Of course you’re not. You’re a sweetheart Sarah. Even if you do have quite a temper sometimes.”

“...why am I different?”

Her father took a moment to ponder an answer before smiling. “Because you’re my daughter.”

“...” She pushed her plate away and stood up in her chair. “Yes… I’m your daughter. The daughter the world can’t know about. Secret monster daughter of Silvain the Spear, renown adventurer and hero. I’m finished eating. Thank you for breakfast dad.”

“I never was a hero.” He commented without looking up from his meal.

“You always have been to me.” Sarah hopped down off of her chair and left the room. She put on a pair of small boots and grabbed a short spear that was leaning next to the door. She looked back inside the quiet house once more before going outside to train.