Mary lives in a world where you must always mind the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.—Anonymous

In Mary's society, there are simple truths. The sisterhood always knows best. The guardians will protect and serve our society. The unconsecrated will never relent. Last and most important of all, always mind the fence that surrounds our society. She has always been taught that there is nothing outside of the society other then trees and death, forest and unconsecrated. However, everything she thought she knew changes when a newcomer arrives to her town... and exposes the truth of the outside world.—katiekat602