Nearly 2 p.m., and soft rays of afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains of Madison’s bedroom, casting gentle patterns on the hardwood floor. From within their transparent habitat, Greg and Cindy watched as their daughter began to stir. Madison stretched languidly, her legs extending over the side of the bed, toes pointed like a ballerina’s. Her movements were unhurried, each gesture deliberate, as if she held dominion over time itself.
She pushed herself upright, her hair cascading in tousled waves around her shoulders. Rubbing her eyes with a casual indifference, she reached for her phone lying beside her on the rumpled sheets. Of course, she picked it up immediately—the device had always been an extension of her hand. The soft glow of the screen illuminated her face, highlighting the familiar curve of her smile as she scrolled through messages.
Greg and Cindy exchanged a wistful glance. How many times had they confiscated that very phone as a consequence for misbehavior? It had been their go-to punishment, the ultimate exercise of parental authority. They remembered the look of betrayal in Madison’s eyes whenever they took it away—a mix of indignation and hurt, as if they had stripped her of a vital part of herself.
But now, the idea of ever taking her phone away again seemed absurd. Unthinkable. The notion that they once wielded such control felt like a distant memory from another life. Their roles had been irrevocably reversed.
Madison stood up, still engrossed in whatever held her attention on the screen. She moved about the room with an air of casual grace, utterly oblivious to the two pairs of eyes watching her every move. Greg and Cindy felt a pang of isolation; their presence seemed invisible to her, like ghosts in their own home.
She sauntered over to the mirror, pausing to examine her reflection. Running her fingers through her hair, she untangled knots with a practiced ease. “I’m thirsty,” she murmured to herself, smacking her lips lightly. The words hung in the air, not intended for anyone’s ears but her own.
Greg and Cindy observed her with a mix of longing and helplessness. Madison scratched her back absently, the kind of unguarded gesture one makes when they believe they’re alone. It struck them how fully she inhabited her space, unaware—or perhaps unconcerned—with their watchful gaze. To her, they were no more significant than the furniture that adorned her room.
Suddenly, Madison turned on her heel, her footsteps light as she headed toward the door. The abrupt movement jolted Greg and Cindy from their reverie. Panic surged through them as they realized she was about to leave.
“Madison! Wait!” Cindy cried out, her voice muffled by the thick acrylic walls of their enclosure. She rushed to the front of the habitat, palms pressing desperately against the smooth surface. Greg joined her, both of them pounding on the barrier, their small fists making barely audible taps.
“Please, Madison!” Greg shouted, his voice strained. But Madison didn’t so much as glance in their direction. She slipped out of the room, the door swinging shut softly behind her, leaving them enveloped in silence.
The weight of their helplessness settled over them like a heavy shroud. Cindy sank to her knees, her forehead resting against the cool wall. Tears welled in her eyes—a mixture of frustration, sorrow, and a profound sense of loss. “She didn’t even see us,” she whispered.
Greg placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his expression mirroring her despair. “It’s like we don’t exist,” he said softly.
They sat there for a moment, the stillness of the room amplifying their isolation. The open door had been a fleeting glimpse of a world they could no longer reach—a world where they once held authority and agency.
“Do you remember when taking her phone away was the worst punishment we could give?” Cindy murmured, her gaze distant.
Greg nodded. “She used to look at us like we held the keys to everything. Now…” He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
“Now we’re the ones locked away,” Cindy finished for him, her voice barely above a whisper.
A heavy silence enveloped them. The realization of how drastically their roles had changed pressed upon them. They were no longer the protectors, the decision-makers. Their influence had diminished to the point of invisibility.
“How did we end up here?” Cindy asked, turning to look at Greg, her eyes searching his face for answers.
He sighed deeply, his brow furrowed in contemplation. “I suppose we never imagined things could turn out this way. We thought we were preparing her for the world, teaching her responsibility.”
“By enforcing rules and consequences,” Cindy added. “But now those same principles are being used against us.”
Greg met her gaze, a hint of regret flickering in his eyes. “She’s just applying what she learned from us.”
Cindy shook her head slowly. “I never thought we’d be the ones powerless, waiting for her to acknowledge us.”
“We’ve lost more than just our authority,” Greg said quietly. “We’ve lost our connection with her.”
A soft breeze stirred the curtains, a whisper of movement that drew their attention to the window. Outside, life continued unabated—the rustling of leaves, the distant hum of a car passing by. The world was moving on without them.
“We can’t keep living like this,” Cindy said firmly, a spark of determination igniting within her. “We have to find a way to reach her, to remind her that we’re still here.”
Greg considered her words, a glimmer of hope touching his features. “Maybe we can start small,” he suggested. “Find moments to connect, to show her that we still have something to offer.”
She nodded slowly. “Perhaps if we can communicate with her, not as Littles, but as her parents…”
He offered a faint smile. “It’s worth trying.”
The sound of footsteps approached, and both of them turned expectantly toward the door. Their hearts quickened, a mix of anticipation and anxiety. But the steps continued past, fading into the distance.
Cindy sighed, her shoulders slumping. “We have to be patient.”
“Yes,” Greg agreed. “And we have to stay strong—for ourselves and for her.”
They sat side by side, drawing comfort from each other’s presence. The path ahead was uncertain, but together they felt a renewed sense of purpose. Despite the challenges, they would not give up.
“Do you remember when she used to crawl into our bed during thunderstorms?” Cindy recalled, a soft smile touching her lips.
Greg chuckled lightly. “She’d clutch that worn-out teddy bear and insist it was the only thing keeping the thunder at bay.”
“Maybe she still needs us,” Cindy mused. “Even if she doesn’t realize it.”
“Then we’ll be here,” Greg affirmed. “Ready when she is.”
The afternoon light shifted, casting a warm glow across the room. In the quiet, they allowed themselves a moment of peace, holding onto the memories that anchored them.
No matter how small their world had become, they would face it together.
THIS! Realistic desires, understanding how they can be useful and understanding the value of each other. I can imagine that in the next chapters they will be much more supportive and subtle. Like telling her good job and giving advice without being overly direct. I hope they’re strategic but the fact that they’ll be there for the girls is great. This is the kind of acceptance that was necessary. Not one of loud control but rather sideline assistance. I just hope they get access to entertainment when they’re idle. But I hope they don’t screw themselves over anymore. I hope this is it. I bet Mads and Kenzie will be very confused when they are more supportive rather than domineering to them. Hopefully they don’t think their parents have lost it. But I think that mads would see it as a nail in the coffin and Kenzie as a begrudging acceptance.
I agree its about relearning how to communicate with her as they will need to communicate with her as her little not as her parent. Which would require some considerations on their part to be made.
They do get devices and things. Its only been a few days. THis is the start of day 4.
1) 2pm is bullshit, she only gets two days per weekend and she’s waisted one in bed.
2) “confiscated that very phone as a consequence for misbehavior? It had been their go-to punishment” as is is for many parents. If they had anything phone like, Madison would be waiting for the opportunity to take it.
3) “Cindy cried out, her voice muffled” … “Greg shouted, his voice strained.” Both of these happened without triggering their collar’s.
4) “We’ve lost our connection with her.” it’s not technically lost, it’s just warped and altered irreparably.
5) “The path ahead was uncertain, but together they felt a renewed sense of purpose” I love that there have the start of an actual plan now, we’ve never seen littles strategise before.
6.1) Do you remember when she used to crawl into our bed during thunderstorms?” reminiscing about fond memories is good to see.
6.2) “She’d clutch that worn-out teddy bear and insist it was the only thing keeping the thunder at bay.” that’s adorable.
7) Greg and Cindy having resolve to still be needed by her, and sticking to gether through all this is good to see.
1) Well it woudl depend how late she was up. She also could just like sleeping in if she gets up early for school and presumably earlier then guys would because she does her hair and makeup so if they get up 7 Madison is probably getting up at 6.
2)I could see her providing a little phone for them just to take it away for not doing chores she assigned or eating pellets.
3) In order for the collars to activate it has to be above a certain decibel level. THey can cry out and not have it be at the top of their lungs or a high enough level to activate the collar which is the point of the collar. It trains littles to speak and do actions withing a certain decibel range. So its working how its supposed to.
4) That is true.
5) Most littles that have been depicted either had no reason too, or weren’t with other littles to strategize with.
6) Yes it kind of humanizes them.
6.2) She has her moments.
7) Yes I agree. Even if a person could have some reservations about as the girls get older the practicality of them being together in the same habitat. In the immediate term its good to see.
1) I did ask when she went to bed on MW30, it wouldn’t surprise me I’d she deliberately stayed up later than Cindy or Greg allowed just because she could.
2) or even just a phone like Jordan has. she’d relish the power of confiscating it.
3) oh, I thought “straining his voice” implied higher volumes l, lol.
5) That’s fair, but even just showing their thoughts on how they’ll handle their guardians, especially more volatile ones like Mia.
6.1) agreed.
6.2) cute whitto Maddie
7) it’d be a rough adjustment for them if/when the girls are adults and choose to go their separate ways, taking their separate littles.