Chapter 32 – Peaceful Evening

Madelyn opened her eyes, blinking sleepily as she realized she’d drifted off. She sat up and stretched, feeling the lingering weariness in her limbs. With everything going on, it wasn’t surprising she felt so drained. Glancing at the clock on her wall, she noticed it was nearly evening. She took a deep breath, pushing herself up from the bed, and headed downstairs, still feeling the fog of sleep clinging to her.

The scent of cooking vegetables filled the air as she stepped into the kitchen. Her parents were busy at the stove, moving with their usual comfortable rhythm. Her mom looked up and smiled. “Hey, Madelyn! How was the game?” she asked, her voice warm and casual.

Madelyn hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Part of her wanted to share everything that had happened—the strange visions, the mystery surrounding Aeloria, her growing connection to this unknown woman. But she couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that her questions might lead to even more confusing or difficult answers. She’d overheard her parents’ tense conversation earlier, and it left her with a sense of unease she wasn’t quite ready to confront.

“It was… good,” she said, keeping her tone light. “Just more exploring and quests with my friends.”

Her dad glanced over, catching her eye with a raised brow. “Sounds like a fun gaming session,” he commented, his voice casual but with a hint of curiosity.

Madelyn forced a small smile, trying to mask the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in her mind. “Yeah, it was. We had a lot of fun.”

Her mom handed her a bowl to set on the table, giving her a quick smile. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it, sweetie. It’s nice that you’re spending time with your friends.”

Madelyn nodded, feeling a warmth settle in her chest. Despite her hesitation to share everything, she appreciated how supportive her parents had been. She took the bowl and moved to the table, focusing on arranging the plates and utensils, using the simple task to ground herself.

As they continued preparing dinner, her parents chatted about their day, filling the room with a light, comforting energy. Her dad made a joke, and her mom laughed, the sound bringing a small smile to Madelyn’s face. It was moments like these that reminded her of the stability her family provided, a safe haven amid the uncertainties she faced in the game.

She knew she’d eventually have to ask the difficult questions, that she couldn’t keep the mystery of Aeloria or her visions bottled up forever. But for now, she was content to enjoy the moment, surrounded by the familiar warmth of home.

After dinner, Madelyn settled into the couch, snuggling up against her mom. Her dad had gone to the store, leaving the house quiet and cozy, just the two of them. Her mom’s fingers ran gently through her hair, occasionally drifting to her tail, brushing it softly. It had become a familiar comfort, something that felt natural now in a way it never would have before. Being close like this, feeling safe and warm, was something Madelyn had come to treasure since her transformation.

She relaxed, letting her eyes close for a moment as she soaked in the feeling, but a thought stirred in her mind, tugging at her with a quiet urgency. After a moment of hesitation, she looked up at her mom. “Hey, Mom… did you ever meet a little fox kit?”

Her mom paused, looking down at her with a gentle, questioning expression. “Not that I know of, sweetie,” she said, her tone soft and reassuring. “Why do you ask?”

Madelyn bit her lip, considering how to explain. She’d shared parts of her dreams with her parents before, but this felt different somehow—more vivid, more personal. “Well… when I was playing Astralyth Online earlier today, Sarah and I found this statue. It was in the middle of these old ruins, and it was a woman, a foxkin like me. But it wasn’t just any foxkin.” She glanced up at her mom, her eyes reflecting the same awe she’d felt when she first saw it. “It was the woman from my dreams. The one I told you about before.”

Her mom’s fingers stilled in her hair as she took this in, her face thoughtful. “The same woman? From all your dreams?”

Madelyn nodded, her voice quiet but steady. “Yeah. And… when I touched the statue, it was like I was pulled into this vision. I wasn’t myself—I was a little fox kit, and she was there, holding me, like I was really important to her. It felt so real, like it was more than just a vision.”

Her mom’s gaze softened, and she continued stroking Madelyn’s head, comforting and grounding her. “That must have been overwhelming, Maddy. It sounds like there’s a powerful connection there.”

Madelyn sighed, snuggling closer. “It really was. And the weird thing is… I felt like I knew her, like I’d known her for a long time. But I don’t understand how any of it connects to what’s happening now.”

Her mom’s hand paused briefly before resuming its gentle strokes, her voice thoughtful. “Maybe you’re beginning to remember something that’s been hidden for a while, or maybe these dreams and visions are a way of guiding you.”

Madelyn’s eyes dropped to her lap, her mind swirling with the mystery of it all. “I just… I don’t know where to go from here. I keep getting glimpses, like hints that I’m close to understanding, but then everything fades before I can make sense of it.”

Her mom gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Maybe all the pieces aren’t ready to come together just yet. You’ve gone through a lot of changes, Madelyn. Maybe it takes time, and more of these visions will show you the way.”

Madelyn nodded, the warmth of her mom’s embrace easing her frustration, even if only a little. “I hope so. It’s just hard feeling like I’m so close, yet everything still feels just out of reach.”

Her mom smiled, gently brushing a stray hair from her face. “Whatever it is, I know you’ll figure it out when the time’s right. And your dad and I are here for you every step of the way.”

As if on cue, her father entered the living room, carrying a couple of bags. “Hey, girls,” he greeted, setting the bags aside and joining them on the couch. Madelyn and her mom both greeted him warmly, shifting to make room.

He settled in beside them, glancing between the two with a relaxed smile. “So, what’s the plan for the evening?” he asked casually.

Her mom gave a small chuckle. “Not much. Madelyn was just telling me about her day in Astralyth Online,” she explained. “She had another vision of that woman she’s been dreaming about.”

“Oh?” Her dad’s expression shifted to one of interest, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Madelyn. “The woman in the tank? What happened this time?”

Madelyn took a deep breath, still feeling a little unsettled by the vision. “Yeah, the same woman. Sarah and I found this old ruin in the game, and there was a statue of her inside. And… well, it looked a lot like me,” she admitted, glancing at her parents for their reactions. “When I touched the statue, it was like I was pulled into a vision or a memory. I became a little fox kit, and the woman was there with me. She held me… and she called me by my name, like she’s known me forever.”

Her dad’s brows furrowed, and he rubbed his stubbled chin thoughtfully. “Huh… that’s pretty strange. And she called you Madelyn? You’re sure it was her?”

Madelyn nodded slowly. “Yeah, it was definitely her. She looked the same as in my other dreams. I could feel this strong connection, like she cared about me, but I don’t understand why.” She hesitated, wondering if she should mention her suspicions about the woman possibly being Aeloria, the goddess people in Astralyth were so reluctant to mention. But something held her back. She wanted more answers before she shared that part.

Her dad leaned back, crossing his arms thoughtfully. “I can’t think of anything that might explain it,” he said, his brows still furrowed. “A woman that looks like you, appearing in dreams… if this is some kind of memory of that woman, what does that mean?”

Madelyn shook her head, her expression one of frustration. “That’s just it—I have no idea. It’s like I’m being shown pieces of something, but nothing fits together yet. And it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s just… part of the game.”

Her mom placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Whatever it is, it sounds like this woman is reaching out to you for a reason. And I know it must be hard not having the answers, but maybe with each vision, you’re getting closer.”

Her dad nodded in agreement, giving Madelyn a warm look. “Your mom’s right. And if this woman is connected to you, then I’m sure you’ll find out why eventually. Sometimes things just take time to unravel.”

Madelyn managed a small smile, grateful for her parents’ support. Even though the mystery felt overwhelming, knowing her parents were there to listen gave her a sense of calm. “Thanks. I guess I just need to be patient.”

Her dad gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “And if there’s anything we can do to help, just let us know. You’re not alone in this.”

Madelyn relaxed, letting out a deep breath as she felt some of the weight lift. Surrounded by her family’s warmth, the questions didn’t seem quite so daunting, and for tonight, she felt she could set them aside, even if just for a little while.

Her mom’s eyes lit up with a playful glint. “How about a little game time?” she suggested, standing up and heading toward the cabinet. “It’s been ages since we played any of our board games together.”

Madelyn smiled, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. “That actually sounds really nice.”

Her mom pulled out Ticket to Ride, setting up the game on the coffee table. They spent the next hour laughing, groaning at missed connections, and celebrating small victories, each turn bringing a new layer of joy. By the time they finished their third round, Madelyn felt a comfortable warmth from the simple family fun.

But as her mom began to pack up the game, Madelyn hesitated. She glanced between her parents, gathering the courage to speak. “So, uh… next week,” she started, fidgeting slightly, “I’ll be going back to school.”

Her parents looked at her, attentive and encouraging, sensing the weight of what she was about to say.

“And… I think I want to go back to my old school,” Madelyn continued, her voice soft but steady. “I miss being around my friends every day. I thought about going to a new school, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like I have to give this a shot. It’s home, you know?”

Her dad gave her a reassuring nod, while her mom reached over to hold her hand. “We understand, sweetie. It’s completely normal to want to go back to a familiar place. And it makes sense that you’d want to be with your friends.”

Madelyn nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “It’ll definitely be… weird, though,” she admitted, her gaze dropping to her lap. “Going back as… Madelyn. I mean, I can use my disguise skill, even if it feels uncomfortable, but… I don’t know. It’s hard to explain.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Her dad rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It sounds like you’re trying to balance a lot,” he said gently. “The desire to stay true to who you are now, while also easing back into your old life. That’s a tough thing to do.”

Her mom squeezed her hand softly. “You’re so brave for even considering it, Maddy. And no matter what, we’ll support you.”

Madelyn took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief. “Thank you. I just… I think I’ll need a good cover story. I don’t want everyone asking questions about Benjamin,” she admitted, glancing nervously between her parents.

Her mom’s expression turned thoughtful, a smile forming as an idea crossed her mind. “What if we introduced you as Madelyn, Benjamin’s cousin or even his twin sister? Maybe something about him studying abroad, so people won’t expect to see him around?”

Madelyn’s eyes lit up. “That… that could actually work. It’s believable, and it would give me the space to just be Madelyn without too many questions.”

Her dad nodded, looking pleased with the plan. “Sounds like we’ve got a plan in the works, then. We’ll make sure the school knows too, so they can help support the story.”

Madelyn’s heart swelled with gratitude, and for the first time, the thought of returning to school felt less daunting. With her parents’ support and a solid plan, she felt a glimmer of confidence. She could do this.