Madison sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone resting comfortably in her lap as her fingers lazily scrolled through videos. Her face was an expression of relaxed indifference, just like any other teenager caught up in the endless stream of distractions. There was no acknowledgment of the quiet figures watching her, no sign that her parents’ silent presence even registered. To her, the concept of “parents” had long since been replaced by something new, something simpler. The shift had been seamless. Her bedroom, once a sanctuary where she could escape adult rules and expectations, now felt entirely hers. There was no discomfort in having her former parents in the room—just a quiet, natural acceptance that this was how things were now. She was the one in control.
After several minutes, Madison finally looked up, her gaze drifting idly toward the habitat. Her thoughts wandered, only now acknowledging its presence, though without much emotion. The last few hours had been filled with laughter, hanging out with her friends, Brooklyn and Evan, just like always. They’d spent the afternoon goofing off, teasing each other, watching shows, and scrolling through social media. It felt like nothing had really changed. But as Madison’s eyes lingered on the habitat, the reality seeped back in. It was different.
She knew it, even if she didn’t always let herself think about it. Her mother wasn’t going to burst through the door to lecture her about homework or chores anymore. Her dad wouldn’t pop in after work to check on her, giving her one of those tired, but comforting, hugs he always reserved for her and McKenzie. Those little moments were gone—forever.
It had been easier to push those thoughts aside when she was surrounded by her friends. When Evan was being her usual snarky self, when Brooklyn and Trina were laughing, or even when Krysi had stopped by the day before. Distractions, Madison realized, were everything. They made it bearable. But now, in the quiet, with only her Littles as company, the loss hit her like a cold wave. Her parents weren’t coming back. They were still here, physically, but they were different now. They were Littles.
She’d heard her mom say it a hundred times—“Littles aren’t people anymore.” It had always seemed harsh, but now it made perfect sense. Once someone became a Little, they weren’t the same. They weren’t human in the way they used to be. Sure, they looked similar, had the same face, the same eyes, but that was where the similarity ended. They lived in a different world now, one with new rules, a new culture, a new life. It was as if the people her parents had been had evaporated, replaced by something less, something… simpler.
What really stung, though, was how little time she’d had to prepare for any of it. No chance to say goodbye, no last hugs, no quiet moments of closure. She hadn’t gotten that final moment with her dad, where he’d pull her into his arms and nuzzle her the way he did, no matter how tired he was from work. She and McKenzie had always been his world. And that? Well, no amount of money from Generitech could bring that back.
Madison sighed, her chest tightening as she realized just how much she’d lost. Her mom’s impromptu “Little training lessons” on ethics, the debates about Little rights, the laughter they shared over how ridiculous the Little Humpers were—those people who thought Littles were somehow equal to humans. All of that was gone.
Her eyes flicked back to the habitat, a soft, almost bittersweet smile curling at her lips. She loved her Littles—she really did—but part of her wished they weren’t her former parents. She didn’t want the constant reminder of what she’d lost, of what she’d never get back.
Resting her head against the bedframe, Madison remembered what it had been like when her grandmother had passed away—the loss, the pain, the emptiness that followed. But she also remembered how each day had gotten a little easier. She knew it would be the same now. While her parents were gone in every way that mattered, she’d still have the memories of who they used to be. That would never fade.
With a deep breath, Madison pushed herself off the floor and walked toward the habitat. She smiled faintly as she gazed down at her Littles, their tiny figures sitting quietly in their assigned positions. Her voice softened as she spoke, the tenderness surprising even her.
“You can relax,” she said gently, kneeling beside the habitat. “I’m proud of you. I want you to remember how that felt—the tiredness, the soreness, and then the relief when I petted you.” She paused, her eyes misting over. “You need to understand—you’re my Littles now. That was important for you to learn.”
Madison’s voice trembled as she continued, tears welling in her eyes. “I wish there’d been a cure. I know you might not believe me, but I really was trying. I called those hospitals, those doctors. I begged them for a solution, for a drop, a vial, anything that could bring you back. But there wasn’t anything,” she whispered. “Even if there was, they told me it would be temporary. You’d have to take it again and again, and each time it would work less until eventually… it wouldn’t work at all.”
A single tear slipped down her cheek as she looked into their familiar but distant eyes. “There’s no cure, only an illusion. At best, a bandaid. There’s no real way back.”
She wiped her cheek quickly, her voice barely holding together as she added, “You always told me, ‘Humans don’t get to play God.’ And you were right. I’m so sorry. I wish there had been another way, but there wasn’t. I promise I’ll take care of you. Forever. You’ll always be my Littles.”
Her smile wavered as she brushed another tear away, standing straighter. “I know it’s hard now, and it probably seems daunting, but you’re going to love being part of the community we’re building. We’re taking everything Mom taught us and shaping it into something better. We’re going to help so many Littles find their forever homes, train them just like Trina. It’s what Mom always wanted—giving Littles a better life, a higher purpose.”
Madison smiled again, the weight lifting a little as she thought about the future. “Trina’s amazing. She’s a leader now, and she loves her life. I know it was hard at first, but she grew into it, just like you will. And no matter how many Littles we help, you two will always be special to me. Always. I know Evan, Krysi, and Brooklyn feel the same.”
She paused, her voice thick with emotion as she finished, “This wasn’t what any of us imagined, but being part of something bigger—to honor what you stood for—feels right.” She wiped the last tear from her eyes, giving them a small, hopeful smile.
0) the lethal comments are taking over the format
1) Those little moments were gone—forever
that’s why I think she’s bottling things up and trying to change to this new madison. Too afraid to face pain and grief head on
2) They lived in a different world now, one with new rules, a new culture, a new life. It was as if the people her parents had been had evaporated, replaced by something less, something… simpler
you can change that for them or at least make it easier madison. I have faith in you to become your own person, at least a better one than your mom was towards littles
3)Little Humpers were—those people who thought Littles were somehow equal to humans.
jesus Cindy
4) “You can relax,” she said gently, kneeling beside the habitat. “I’m proud of you. I want you to remember how that felt—the tiredness, the soreness, and then the relief when I petted you.” She paused, her eyes misting over. “You need to understand—you’re my Littles now. That was important for you to learn.”
she needs to talk it through with them a bit more. or realize she needs to at least. it’s not just her that’s suffering from this. And she isn’t the only one trying to hide from the reality of the situation by avoiding the emotions. I get she thinks she’s doing what her mom wanted, but there’s gotta be more going on deeper down that she’s too afraid to show
5) I know you might not believe me, but I really was trying. I called those hospitals, those doctors. I begged them for a solution, for a drop, a vial, anything that could bring you back.
I beleive her, but her attitude through it all makes it difficult to do so.
6)I know it’s hard now, and it probably seems daunting, but you’re going to love being part of the community we’re building. We’re taking everything Mom taught us and shaping it into something better.
If the other littles are also female, I hope seeing how they treat greg snaps something in her that makes her want to keep a closer watch on him and cindy in the community. I just see Greg getting pushed around by everyone, and I see Cindy falling inline with that pretty easily if not monitored. especially after Greg picking Kenzie
speaking of, Kenzie doesn’t want to be part of the community, so why put littles she has authority over in it if she isn’t going to participate? I feel like that, assuming Kenzie is going to be more hands on like I initially thought, would put a wedge between the two
7) you two will always be special to me. Always. I know Evan, Krysi, and Brooklyn feel the same
get your friends to show it a bit better. Krysi was good-ish. could have been better, but Evan was horrid.
0) I’m a trend setter.
1) it would be normal for a kid to do in her position. Maybe last night after she put the littles in their habitat she cried about it, letting it out in privacy, even from them.
2) That’s entirely an option for her.
3) you think that’s bad? Sara called them “underbred humpers” in SP156 same idea just using the slur term.
4) I think she’s trying to gain a sense of normalcy from the situation by treating her littles exactly how her mother would expect her to if she was still immune.
5) she’s definitely sparked doubt.
6) the community is an interesting and concerning idea, I’m curious to see where they take it.
Male littles are the bottom of the little hierarchy, little culture seems a lot like hyenas, so Greg getting pushed around by other female littles makes sense. I could see him in situations where a romantic gesture to his his wife is turned against him, like if he was rubbing Cindy’s feet and Trina decided she wanted one too and forced him to do it, even punish him for rubbing the lowest female’s feet first. but that’s just speculation.
We don’t actually know McKenzie’s thoughts on the community she may be OK with it so ling as Greg doescone back bruised. I mean granted I did want to see her come back from work early, see Trina dominating her parents and rip Trina a new one, but we don’t actually know how that would have gone down.
7) definitely would be a good start.
1) I’d even say it’s normal for an adult lol
3) god that’s disgusting lol like underbred is one thing. I try to use it sparingly and not in a derogatory way in context, but underbred-humper is just wrong to me. Just cause someone believes something different than you doesn’t mean you need to come up with a slur
4) fair point
6) I don’t think Greg deserves that treatment. Hell, even Trina didn’t seem to really think Greg deserves it. Being trained to avoid getting in trouble is fine but still, she seemed to look out for him in a way.
God I hope kenzie is more hands on with the community since her Littles are part of it
3) I’m sure Cindy used “underbred-humper” and “little-humper” interchangeably.
6) me neither. Trina did help, maybe she wouldn’t do that,but maybe Evan’s little, or Krysi’s if she gets one.
She could be hands on, or she could outright ban Madison from including Greg (and maybe Cindy) in the community.
0) the lethal comments are taking over the format
Lethal has always been one to set the bar. Although be careful with Lethal praise you could create a monster.
1) Those little moments were gone—forever
that’s why I think she’s bottling things up and trying to change to this new madison. Too afraid to face pain and grief head on
Possibly thats a pretty good hypothesis. People in general would have trouble with that kind of loss.
2) They lived in a different world now, one with new rules, a new culture, a new life. It was as if the people her parents had been had evaporated, replaced by something less, something… simpler
you can change that for them or at least make it easier madison. I have faith in you to become your own person, at least a better one than your mom was towards littles
She could change that but she has been taught to believe and think a certain way on the subject so she would need to meet someone who was strong willed enough who felt differently enough that she changed her opinions or her eyes were opened. As while McKenzie had different beliefs they may not be as vastly different to be a whole new perspective that would open her eyes plus being its coming from her sister she already has a degree of understanding of what McKenize believes so it may need to come from an outside party to be heard and accepted.
3)Little Humpers were—those people who thought Littles were somehow equal to humans.
jesus Cindy
She has a way with words and terms.
4) “You can relax,” she said gently, kneeling beside the habitat. “I’m proud of you. I want you to remember how that felt—the tiredness, the soreness, and then the relief when I petted you.” She paused, her eyes misting over. “You need to understand—you’re my Littles now. That was important for you to learn.”
she needs to talk it through with them a bit more. or realize she needs to at least. it’s not just her that’s suffering from this. And she isn’t the only one trying to hide from the reality of the situation by avoiding the emotions. I get she thinks she’s doing what her mom wanted, but there’s gotta be more going on deeper down that she’s too afraid to show
Well shes specifically using her moms methods as a way to honor her mother that is her core reason for doing so. A bit of added context in another episode later when its brought up its hinted that if it weren’t for her mother the methods used would be different in some ways. But she feels its important to train her mother in the methods her mother believed in as she dedicated so much of her time advocating for that way of life. So if Madison had different littles she would train them a bit differently. Not hollistically mind you but probably not as harsh as Cindy’s methods advocate. Probably more in line with Sara as she watches her streams and does use some her methods inspite of her mothers teachings.
5) I know you might not believe me, but I really was trying. I called those hospitals, those doctors. I begged them for a solution, for a drop, a vial, anything that could bring you back.
I beleive her, but her attitude through it all makes it difficult to do so.
The attitude you could also say is a direct response to CIndy’s teachings and methods.
6)I know it’s hard now, and it probably seems daunting, but you’re going to love being part of the community we’re building. We’re taking everything Mom taught us and shaping it into something better.
If the other littles are also female, I hope seeing how they treat greg snaps something in her that makes her want to keep a closer watch on him and cindy in the community. I just see Greg getting pushed around by everyone, and I see Cindy falling inline with that pretty easily if not monitored. especially after Greg picking Kenzie
They don’t have that many littles yet. They want to add more in time but littles aren’t cheap.
speaking of, Kenzie doesn’t want to be part of the community, so why put littles she has authority over in it if she isn’t going to participate? I feel like that, assuming Kenzie is going to be more hands on like I initially thought, would put a wedge between the two
Because the sisters share the littles the who gets what little was a legal thing in case they seperate so its clean and clear who ultimately has what little. But since they are there parents they generally try to share.
7) you two will always be special to me. Always. I know Evan, Krysi, and Brooklyn feel the same
get your friends to show it a bit better. Krysi was good-ish. could have been better, but Evan was horrid.
That is fair but Cindy’s methods to littles were harsh so there specific treatment could be their interpretations of what she taught so they could be honoring Madison’s wishes in their treatment of Cindy in treating her how she advocated for littles to be treated in a this is the life you fought for sort of way.
0) very possible, I don’t get praise often so it’d go straight to my head.
0) yay, a shorter one.
1) “To her, the concept of “parents” had long since been replaced by something new, something simpler. The shift had been seamless.” Not entirely, we know she’s has sadness and struggles regarding it. But it’s definitely been easier on her than on Greg and Cindy.
2) “They’d spent the afternoon goofing off, teasing each other, watching shows, and scrolling through social media. It felt like nothing had really changed” sounds like a typical day for a teen and her friends, I’d be a nice return to normalcy for her.
3) “Those little moments were gone—forever.” Yeah, she’s gonna need to stay on top of her chores and homework herself, and be able to get by without her father checking in on her.
4.1) “in the quiet, with only her Littles as company, the loss hit her like a cold wave. Her parents weren’t coming back.” Only be a she won’t let them.
4.2) “they were still here, physically, but they were different now. They were Littles” we know from Tamara that littles can still be respected as parents, and we know from McKenzie that just because She’s Cindy’s daughter doesn’t mean she has to blindly follow her teachings.
5.1) “It had always seemed harsh, but now it made perfect sense.” It’s a pity that this experience hasn’t highlighted how wrong Cindy was to Madison, but I could see it going either way
5.2) “once someone became a Little, they weren’t the same. They weren’t human in the way they used to be.” No shit, change something and it’ll be different. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still treat them like people, or parents.
5.3) “the people her parents had been had evaporated, replaced by something less, something… simpler.” Only cause you’re refusing to see that they’re the sane people they were, just in augmented bodies.
6) “how little time she’d had to prepare for any of it. No chance to say goodbye, no last hugs” that would suck for her, no preparation, not plans in place, none lined up to be their guardian forcing McKenzie to step up, but she doesn’t really need to say goodbye because they’re right there, waiting for her to see them.
7) “the laughter they shared over how ridiculous the Little Humpers were” That’s another nail in Cindy’s coffin. Great call back though, it’s weird to imagine Chloe as the subject of ridicule though.
8) “She didn’t want the constant reminder of what she’d lost, of what she’d never get back.” I think what she really wants is littles, AND her parents, separately. But as much pain as she’s in now, I reckon it’d be worse if she’d given them up to Genritech.
9 1) “I want you to remember how that felt—the tiredness, the soreness, and then the relief when I petted you.” she’s definitely committed to training them.
9.2) “You need to understand—you’re my Littles now. That was important for you to learn.” not really, plenty ic littkes don’t know this stuff and are fine.
10.1) “I know you might not believe me, but I really was trying” and who’s fault would it be if they or anyone else had reason not to believe you?”
10.2) “(the cure) would be temporary. You’d have to take it again and again, and each time it would work less until eventually… it wouldn’t work at all.” really sucks how the main scourse of hope for littles was taken from them like that.
11) “I promise I’ll take care of you. Forever. You’ll always be my Littles” from what I’ve seen it means to be “taken care of as your littkes” I think they’d pass.
12) “We’re taking everything Mom taught us and shaping it into something better” well it’d be pretty hard to take Cindy’s lessons and turn it into something worse.
13.1) “We’re going to help so many Littles find their forever homes, train them just like Trina.” So the community is training littles for rehoming or is it just for their littles?
13.2) “It’s what Mom always wanted—giving Littles a better life, a higher purpose.” always nice when Cindy’s words bite her.
14.1) “Trina’s amazing. She’s a leader now, and she loves her life. I know it was hard at first, but she grew into it, just like you will” I’m imagining there was also breaking and giving up on that path for poor Trina, as well as the changes brought on by the bond she’d be coping either as her body addicts to Brooklyn’s touch and praise..
14.2) “And no matter how many Littles we help, you two will always be special to me. Always. I know Evan, Krysi, and Brooklyn feel the same.” that was actually kind of sweet, it’s a pity I only believe it for her Krisi and McKenzie (I know McKenzie wasn’t mentioned but it felt right to include her)
15) “This wasn’t what any of us imagined, but being part of something bigger—to honor what you stood for—feels right.” haha, eat shit Cindy.
0) yay, a shorter one.
The next few are shorter actually. I wanna say fridays is about 1100 words only getting near Smallara territory.
1) “To her, the concept of “parents” had long since been replaced by something new, something simpler. The shift had been seamless.” Not entirely, we know she’s has sadness and struggles regarding it. But it’s definitely been easier on her than on Greg and Cindy.
that is probably more accurate seamless was probably a stretch as Madison has felt sadness about it.
2) “They’d spent the afternoon goofing off, teasing each other, watching shows, and scrolling through social media. It felt like nothing had really changed” sounds like a typical day for a teen and her friends, I’d be a nice return to normalcy for her.
Experiencing normalcy would soothe the soul.
3) “Those little moments were gone—forever.” Yeah, she’s gonna need to stay on top of her chores and homework herself, and be able to get by without her father checking in on her.
So far while it hasn’t been logn she has been better about chores as depicted through teh story but time would tell if it sticks.
4.1) “in the quiet, with only her Littles as company, the loss hit her like a cold wave. Her parents weren’t coming back.” Only be a she won’t let them.
Well her mother did teach her that there is a difference between litttle and person. So she is more mourning the loss of her parents as they previously were as the parents in there existing form are not the same as even in the best of situation they would need additional care and are no longer autonomous.
4.2) “they were still here, physically, but they were different now. They were Littles” we know from Tamara that littles can still be respected as parents, and we know from McKenzie that just because She’s Cindy’s daughter doesn’t mean she has to blindly follow her teachings.
McKenzie is also older and wouldn’t have been as impressionable as Madison at the time Cindy was spewing her beliefs.
5.1) “It had always seemed harsh, but now it made perfect sense.” It’s a pity that this experience hasn’t highlighted how wrong Cindy was to Madison, but I could see it going either way
It could have went either way and it still could. Everything is still pretty fresh in reality.
5.2) “once someone became a Little, they weren’t the same. They weren’t human in the way they used to be.” No shit, change something and it’ll be different. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still treat them like people, or parents.
One would hope although most don’t have CIndy’s in there life to ensure they are guided down the path of evil.
5.3) “the people her parents had been had evaporated, replaced by something less, something… simpler.” Only cause you’re refusing to see that they’re the sane people they were, just in augmented bodies.
I do feel like it would be a bit difficult. Like if your love one and a hamster swapped places. It would difficult to view the hamster as your loved one. Granted I know thats a bad example.
6) “how little time she’d had to prepare for any of it. No chance to say goodbye, no last hugs” that would suck for her, no preparation, not plans in place, none lined up to be their guardian forcing McKenzie to step up, but she doesn’t really need to say goodbye because they’re right there, waiting for her to see them.
There is often never enough or atleast as much time as a person wishes. I guess it would depend on waht you view you are saying goodbye too as what was will never be again. The parents in the way she knew htem are gone no matter how much equality her parents have.The life and parents in the way she knew is forever gone and changed which would be understandable to mourn.
7) “the laughter they shared over how ridiculous the Little Humpers were” That’s another nail in Cindy’s coffin. Great call back though, it’s weird to imagine Chloe as the subject of ridicule though.
it is as chloe is a good person.
8) “She didn’t want the constant reminder of what she’d lost, of what she’d never get back.” I think what she really wants is littles, AND her parents, separately. But as much pain as she’s in now, I reckon it’d be worse if she’d given them up to Genritech.
I would agree the ideal scenario would have been littles and parents seperate.
9 1) “I want you to remember how that felt—the tiredness, the soreness, and then the relief when I petted you.” she’s definitely committed to training them.
She is as she views training them as her mother would have wanted a way to pass along her mothers work and passion. As she thinks it what her mother pre infection would have wanted as post infection mother based on pre infections mother’s teaching doesn’t know what is best for herself.
9.2) “You need to understand—you’re my Littles now. That was important for you to learn.” not really, plenty ic littkes don’t know this stuff and are fine.
true, although fine is a bit ambigious and people have different opinions of what fine can mean.
10.1) “I know you might not believe me, but I really was trying” and who’s fault would it be if they or anyone else had reason not to believe you?”
Although its doubtful madison would care if anyone else believed her as she is really saying it to her parents for there own understanding of events. As prior they did not know exactly what took place.
10.2) “(the cure) would be temporary. You’d have to take it again and again, and each time it would work less until eventually… it wouldn’t work at all.” really sucks how the main scourse of hope for littles was taken from them like that.
In some ways yes but isn’t that hte case for most medicine. Its never as quick, efficent or doing all the work. in this case a wonder cure that created matter out of nothing and restored you forever I feel like would or atleast should give anyone pause. But also like most drugs the longterm effects are often not known right away.
11) “I promise I’ll take care of you. Forever. You’ll always be my Littles” from what I’ve seen it means to be “taken care of as your littkes” I think they’d pass.
That checks out.I can see why you wouldn’t want ot be under madison’s care although if you were her little she also would probably be different as she wouldn’t be necessarily teaching you under cindy’s guidance as a way to honor her mother. She would be teaching you the way she intended and imagined teaching ehr store little that she picked out.
12) “We’re taking everything Mom taught us and shaping it into something better” well it’d be pretty hard to take Cindy’s lessons and turn it into something worse.
One would hope they can’t get any worse. I mean i would hope they make things better as Cindy’s lessons are the bottom of the barrell in my opinion.
13.1) “We’re going to help so many Littles find their forever homes, train them just like Trina.” So the community is training littles for rehoming or is it just for their littles?
It’s for there littles tehy aren’t rehoming. They are taking littles they own and buildig a community. So they want to ultimately own more littles to fill out the community.
13.2) “It’s what Mom always wanted—giving Littles a better life, a higher purpose.” always nice when Cindy’s words bite her.
lol
14.1) “Trina’s amazing. She’s a leader now, and she loves her life. I know it was hard at first, but she grew into it, just like you will” I’m imagining there was also breaking and giving up on that path for poor Trina, as well as the changes brought on by the bond she’d be coping either as her body addicts to Brooklyn’s touch and praise..
There would be some but its left unsaid if Trina is broken or if she actually likes the life she has. It would probably be a topic for a Brooklyn specific side story.
14.2) “And no matter how many Littles we help, you two will always be special to me. Always. I know Evan, Krysi, and Brooklyn feel the same.” that was actually kind of sweet, it’s a pity I only believe it for her Krisi and McKenzie (I know McKenzie wasn’t mentioned but it felt right to include her)
That is true.
15) “This wasn’t what any of us imagined, but being part of something bigger—to honor what you stood for—feels right.” haha, eat shit Cindy.
Yes but also explains why Madison does waht she does and thinks what she thinks. And why she is specificallay using Cindy’s methods even if she may or may not use Cindy’s methods with anohter little.
0) Shorter ones are easier for me to read and respond to before work, It’s just a preference, I can just read and comment after work.
1) She was trying to come across as seamless though
3) Yeah, she’s definitely trying harder due to the change, but I can’t see her keeping it up as she becomes complacent.
4.1) So now Cindy’s screwed up the relation ship with both daughters by pushing her beliefs
4.2) That’s true, but it’s not light slight alterations haven’t already been made.
5.2) That’s true, Cindy did teach her evil, but Madison chose to follow.
5.3) I see it closer to a friend getting in a car crash and now needing a wheelchair
6) Never enough time to say goodbye, I an see why she’s mourning them for their changes
9 1) Cindy ruins everything again.
9.2) True enough.
10.1) They don’t know what happened, but they know she’s now had time to get her story straight.
10.2) That makes sense, I can definitely see that being the case. The wonder cure didn’t create matter out of nothing, it retrieved the matter that disappeared when the infection happened. I am curious to see what side effects regrown littles face.
11) Well, she acknowledged she was going easier on them than she would on a store bought little
12) I mean it’s entirely possible, just would require true scum of the earth types
14.1) I’d be interested in that story.
15) I can definitely see her wanting the old Cindy to be proud of her