Cindy’s hands trembled as she continued to wash Madison’s sink, the rough texture of the sponge dragging across the porcelain. Just a week ago, this task would have been nothing more than a quick chore—spray some cleaner, let it sit, scrub for a minute or two, and rinse it down. It would have taken her five, maybe ten minutes at most, and she would’ve been onto the next item on her weekend to-do list. Now, hours had passed. Two, maybe three. Time blurred when you were this small.
Every movement was an effort. Her muscles ached, the strain in her joints becoming almost unbearable as she scrubbed the last stubborn patch. Her back throbbed from the constant bending, her knees sore from kneeling on the cold porcelain. She paused to catch her breath, her arms hanging limp at her sides, and looked up at the gleaming sink. It was spotless, finally. But she was exhausted, drained in a way she had never imagined from something as simple as cleaning.
A week ago, this moment would have been unthinkable. Just a week ago, she had been standing tall, issuing commands, running her household like a well-oiled machine. Now, here she was, trapped in Madison’s bathroom, of all places, cleaning a sink that, ironically, she had forced her daughter to scrub every weekend. And not just once, either. This was now her recurring chore, reassigned to her by her own daughter. Madison had made that clear: this was Cindy’s new responsibility, a part of what Krysi had casually called “Team Madison” just the other day.
Team Madison. Cindy let out a bitter sigh. How quickly things had shifted. How quickly her world had shrunk.
The door creaked open behind her, the sudden flood of light hitting her eyes like a slap. Cindy winced, blinking rapidly as her vision adjusted. She hadn’t realized how accustomed she’d become to the dark. Being a Little, she now had the evolutionary ability to see in low light, one of the many ways her body had changed. It was just another reminder of what she had become. Not human, not anymore, something smaller, lesser, both in stature and in status.
She paused, letting the thought settle like a weight in her chest. A week ago, she had stood tall, figuratively and literally, believing with conviction that Littles were beneath her, an inferior race, something to be managed, controlled, corrected. And now? Now, she was one of them. No longer a woman, but a Little.
The irony wasn’t lost on her, not by a long shot.
She imagined her detractor, the people who had always disagreed with her stance, who thought her views were too rigid, too unkind, were likely reveling in this cosmic twist of fate. Cindy Wessen, the staunch advocate for Littles’ control, now reduced to one herself. It would be headline news in their circles, a delicious scandal for them to chew on. Cindy, the woman who had spent years shaping the world around her, was now subject to the very rules and limitations she had once enforced.
And worse, she was answerable to her daughters. Her own children, Madison and McKenzie, now ruled over her in this world she had helped build. This was the natural order she had fought for, but she had never envisioned herself at the bottom of it.
The humiliation was suffocating. She stood there, staring at the sink she had scrubbed for hours, realizing that this was just the beginning. There would be no reprieve, no reclaiming her old life. This was her new reality. A lifetime of servitude, cleaning sinks, following orders, supporting “Team Madison.”
A tear welled in the corner of her eye, but she blinked it away before it could fall. She couldn’t afford to cry, not now. Not here.
As the light continued to fill the room, Cindy steeled herself. The door closed softly behind her, and she knew Madison had returned, likely to check on her progress. There was no point in arguing, no point in trying to explain how wrong this felt. The system she had championed, the beliefs she had drilled into her daughters, had become her cage. And she had no one to blame but herself.
The ache in her muscles and the soreness in her joints were nothing compared to the deep, gnawing realization that this wasn’t just about cleaning a sink. This was her life now. A life of service, obedience, and quiet submission. A life she had so passionately advocated for others, never imagining, even in her worst nightmares, that it would become her own.
“Hmmph,” Madison muttered, her eyes narrowing as she inspected the sink Cindy had spent hours scrubbing. Cindy stood frozen, waiting for her daughter’s judgment with a knot tightening in her stomach. The sink gleamed under the light, but the sole arbiter of whether her work was good enough was now Madison, her youngest daughter, the same girl she had raised and disciplined, who now held all the power.
“This is… acceptable,” Madison finally declared, her voice laced with condescension. “You’ve partially redeemed yourself for the nails. That’s going to need a lot of work, but cleaning? You seem to do that pretty well.” Her smirk deepened, her satisfaction evident. The irony wasn’t lost on Cindy, Madison would ruin this sink within hours, brushing her teeth before bed and spitting toothpaste back into it, undoing all her mother’s hard work. Yet, this was the world Cindy had once believed in, the one she had fought for, and now, it was her prison.
“You can start on McKenzie’s sink next,” Madison added, lowering her hand for Cindy to climb into. Cindy’s heart sank as she gathered her cleaning supplies, setting them into her daughter’s hand before stepping in herself. As Madison lifted her, Cindy felt the warmth of her daughter’s hand radiating into her small frame, the sensation both comforting and humiliating. Looking down at herself, she grimaced. She was covered in grime, the very filth she had spent hours cleaning clung to her skin, her clothes. She was filthy, while Madison remained pristine, her hair perfect, her clothes spotless. It was a level of cleanliness Cindy could now only dream of.
This is my life now, Cindy thought bitterly, hating how far she had fallen.
Madison carried her downstairs, her fingers wrapped securely around Cindy’s small body, and as they reached the living room, Cindy’s eyes locked onto Greg. He was sitting comfortably in Madison’s spot on the couch, with McKenzie sprawled out opposite him. The sight stung, Greg looked so at ease, while Cindy was reduced to this.
Madison noticed her mother staring at Greg and couldn’t resist twisting the knife. “He was in my lap,” Madison said with a casual shrug. “We watched a movie together. Littles who behave and stay in our good graces get rewarded with luxury. Dad was stretched out on my lap because he’s accepted his place as my Little. He accepts that McKenzie is the head of this household.”
Cindy’s chest tightened at the words. Madison’s tone softened, but it only made the sting sharper. “You hurt McKenzie, Mom,” she continued, her voice taking on a scolding quality. “It’s not just about who runs this house. She feels like you never took her seriously, like her opinions didn’t matter to you. And now, when you’re asking for mercy, she thinks you’re only doing it because you’re a Little now. She thinks you’re a hypocrite.”
Cindy wanted to argue, to defend herself, but the words died in her throat. Madison wasn’t wrong, McKenzie’s resentment had been building for years. And now, the system Cindy had built, the beliefs she had so fiercely championed, had turned against her. The helplessness of it all was suffocating.
Madison pushed open the door to McKenzie’s bathroom, and the difference between this room and Madison’s was stark. McKenzie’s bathroom was organized, everything in its place, the sink cluttered but in the way of someone who lived a busy life, not someone who neglected their space. The sink was dirty, yes, but in a way that spoke of use, not chaos.
“Mom, I get it,” Madison said, her voice almost gentle as she lowered Cindy into McKenzie’s sink. “You taught me everything I know, and I promise I’ll raise you to be the best Little you can be. Just like you always wanted.”
Cindy flinched at her daughter’s words, knowing what was coming next. “I’m letting you work as my Little, supporting me, just like you always said a Little should. There are no exceptions, right? You always said that God doesn’t make mistakes. Littles are born Littles for a reason, and we shouldn’t feel sorry for them because they’re fulfilling their destiny. Isn’t that what you taught me?”
Madison’s voice had a practiced quality to it, like she was reciting lines from one of Cindy’s old lectures. Cindy winced, because they were her lines. Her teachings. The same beliefs she had once defended with such conviction were now being used to control her.
“I know you believe this, Mom,” Madison continued, almost proud of herself for remembering. “You said it yourself, God’s plan is bigger than we can see. We’re just supposed to accept it.”
Cindy’s stomach churned with every word. Those were her own words coming back to haunt her, a doctrine she had lived by now serving as her cage.
Madison set her down in the sink, and Cindy stood there in silence, surrounded by the small mess of McKenzie’s life. The space felt claustrophobic despite its size. She couldn’t deny it—this was the world she had created, and now, there was no escape.
“You should put a little extra effort into this for McKenzie,” Madison said, her tone light, as though she were offering advice instead of issuing a command. “Since you did a good job upstairs, I’ll give you a reward.”
Cindy barely had time to process the words before Madison continued. “Lyla, play Cindy Wessen’s lecture on ‘A Little’s Place’ from my Generify account.”
A knot formed in Cindy’s throat as she heard her own voice fill the bathroom, echoing off the walls. It was her old voice, strong, confident, commanding. It was the voice of a woman who believed in what she was saying, who held the attention of every room she walked into. But now, that same voice was a cruel reminder of everything she had lost.
“This should help remind you of your place,” Madison said, her voice tinged with satisfaction. “After all, you’re living the life you fought for. Not many people get to experience the change they fought for firsthand, right? I’ll be back in an hour. The lecture is sixty minutes, so that should give you plenty of time.”
Madison turned to leave, flicking the lights off as she went. Cindy stood in the darkness, her own voice continuing to play around her, explaining the very principles that had reduced her to this.
“A Little’s place is to serve, to support, and to accept their role with grace,” her recorded voice echoed. Cindy winced at the sound, the words twisting in her gut. She had said these things. She had believed these things. But now, trapped in the life she had once championed, it all felt so different.
The irony was unbearable. She had dedicated her life to shaping this world, to building the very system that now held her captive. Her daughters had learned from her, absorbed every lesson, and now they wielded those teachings against her with the same conviction she once had.
Cindy stared at the sink in front of her, the task waiting to be done. She knew she had no choice but to do it. But as her own voice droned on about the righteousness of the world she had helped create, Cindy couldn’t help but wonder if this was her punishment for the beliefs she had once held so dear.
Was this justice? Or was it simply fate?
With a heavy heart, Cindy picked up the cleaning supplies and began to scrub.
damn lol that ending is wild. Cindy’s pretty damn tough too. I’d probably have broken by now. And if I wasn’t, hearing my own voice tell me my place in life like that would absolutely do it.
She is a mother. I feel like in general mothers are built a bit tougher. However, she also has the drive of wanting to be there for her family as a driving force similar to Greg.
So ultimately wanting the best for your kids is pushing them both and Cindy does have some realization that she is cause of her own struggle So she needs to fight through.
However, having your own podcast and your own voice telling you your place would be wild.
How tough is this women god damn !!! Cindy has to be the most mentally tough person I’ve seen like the constant reminder of past mistakes, humiliation for days, and the constant gut punch of being put in place after her fall from grace is insane!!!!
I honestly just have a new level of respect for her granted she has done so many mistakes with her beliefs! Just damn
Shes built mom tough Vader. However, while her downfall is her own fault if she can stay tough through she has a chance at redemption. Its on her if she wants to take it.
I have to say! Coming back after a few days and having 3 chapters to read is much better than reading it day by day and trying to figure out what’s next!
1. I have a feeling the olive branch will be extended when McKenzie sees her mother in her sink?
2. I actually think Madison had grown so much in the past few days! In the last chapter she can see how Greg is being treated and to me it’s like she wants to treat Cindy the same but can’t navigate to that just yet!
3. Ok it’s been a few days in Madisons world but weeks in ours and I’m stopping the Cindy hate train here! Was she a bitxh? Yes! Was she wrong? Yes? But will she make her way back?yes!!!!
4. Seeing Greg there happy must be hard for her
So we have 2 weeks of Madisons world and I can’t wait for the next chapter! Might keep a few chapters to read for next Friday! Have a great weekend Asuka!
1) Possibly, you never know with McKenize as she is hurt and upset.
2) I agree Madison has grown from the start. She at least wants to try treating her father better. time will tell if that extends.
3)that is understandable just remember the world operates based on world time not the length of time it takes to tell the story. Kind of like Dragon Ball Z where it takes weeks for the spirit bomb to drop but its like 5 minutes of world time.
So the characters won’t develop at the same pace you may be viewing it at.
4)She could also be happy that Greg is getting treated nicely. It is her husband. While she probably wants better treatment forherself i mean who woudln’t.
It could be a relief knowing that there is a possibility of better.
Hope your hike went well
4. I actually agree as seeing my wife happy actually makes me happy! But with Cindy I think she might find it as a relief that they don’t treat him the same as her cause that’s how she would treat him if only he caught smallara and not her
Hike went really well! 😎
1.1) “Just a week ago, this task would have been nothing more than a quick chore… It would have taken her five, maybe ten minutes at most, and she would’ve been onto the next item on her weekend to-do list” that’d be one of the harder parts to come to terms with, A new level of exhaustion
1.2) “Now, hours had passed. Two, maybe three. Time blurred when you were this small.” I’d say it’s more about the task than the size
2) “She paused to catch her breath, her arms hanging limp at her sides, and looked up at the gleaming sink. It was spotless” that’s impressive, I didn’t think she’d get it actually finished tonight.
3) “Just a week ago, she had been standing tall, issuing commands, running her household like a well-oiled machine” and no that power is gone, passed on to others.
4) “Being a Little, she now had the evolutionary ability to see in low light, one of the many ways her body had changed” one of he very few advantages of being a little.
5) “something smaller, lesser, both in stature and in status.” and who wanted that for a littles status?
6) “A week ago, she had stood tall, figuratively and literally, believing with conviction that Littles were beneath her, an inferior race, something to be managed, controlled, corrected. And now? Now, she was one of them. No longer a woman, but a Little.” Karma doesn’t get everyone, but when it does get someone, it gets them good.
7) “She imagined her detractor, the people who had always disagreed with her stance, who thought her views were too rigid, too unkind, were likely revelling in this cosmic twist of fate” That really depends on how far this news has spread, I can imagine after a month or so People would be asking “what happened to Cind Wessen” when she starts missing Interviews, rallies and debates, but i doubt it’d be broadcast yet.
8) “This was the natural order she had fought for, but she had never envisioned herself at the bottom of it” and that was part of her issue, she had no sympathy for the people beneath her and now lives in that unsympathetic place.
9) “A lifetime of servitude, cleaning sinks, following orders, supporting “Team Madison.” exactly where she belongs.
10) “She couldn’t afford to cry, not now. Not here.” been there.
11) “There was no point in arguing, no point in trying to explain how wrong this felt. The system she had championed, the beliefs she had drilled into her daughters, had become her cage. And she had no one to blame but herself.” at least she takes responsibility now.
12) “You’ve partially redeemed yourself for the nails. That’s going to need a lot of work, but cleaning? You seem to do that pretty well.” that cold judgement would be rough, but it seems madison is taking Cindy’s strengths and weaknesses into account.
13) “It was a level of cleanliness Cindy could now only dream of” Aren’t guardians supposed to bathe their littles daily?
14) “The sight stung, Greg looked so at ease, while Cindy was reduced to this.” Greg wouldn’t have had any issues with Littles where he currently is, Cindy would have issues if littles weren’t in positions similar to where she currently is, that’s why they’re treated differently.
15.1) “Madison noticed her mother staring at Greg and couldn’t resist twisting the knife” poor Cindy/s Bud Maddie was just talking about how she’d need to pretend she’s treating Greg as an equal and then highlight his preferential treatment.
15.2) “He was in my lap… We watched a movie together. Littles who behave and stay in our good graces get rewarded with luxury.” that’s a logical control method, even if cruel.
15.3) “Dad was stretched out on my lap because he’s accepted his place as my Little. He accepts that McKenzie is the head of this household.” you mean his place as Kenzie’s little.
16.1) “You hurt McKenzie, Mom,” I’m still surprised Madison cares enough to help.
16.2) “It’s not just about who runs this house. She feels like you never took her seriously, like her opinions didn’t matter to you. And now, when you’re asking for mercy, she thinks you’re only doing it because you’re a Little now. She thinks you’re a hypocrite.” and for the most part she’s right, it’s exaggerated, yes, but nothing is fully untrue.
17) “McKenzie’s bathroom was organized, everything in its place, the sink cluttered but in the way of someone who lived a busy life, not someone who neglected their space. The sink was dirty, yes, but in a way that spoke of use, not chaos.” I wonder if McKenzie will keed that up knowing Cindy will clean up after her in future.
18) “You taught me everything I know, and I promise I’ll raise you to be the best Little you can be. Just like you always wanted.” still hilarious Irony.
19) “Littles are born Littles for a reason, and we shouldn’t feel sorry for them because they’re fulfilling their destiny” does that apply to any birth defect or genetic flaw or Just Littles?
20) “You said it yourself, God’s plan is bigger than we can see. We’re just supposed to accept it.” that’s also how most guardians (present company included) view their own plans, bigger than they’re Littles can see, and they’re just supposed to accept it.
21) “Lyla, play Cindy Wessen’s lecture on ‘A Little’s Place’ from my Generify account.” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
22) “you’re living the life you fought for. Not many people get to experience the change they fought for firsthand, right?” That knife’s twisting so much that I’m starting to hear the Beyblade theme in the background.
23) “Madison turned to leave, flicking the lights off as she went. Cindy stood in the darkness, her own voice continuing to play around her” so she’s earned the luxury of some electricity.
24) “A Little’s place is to serve, to support, and to accept their role with grace,” This is what Preema Tech plays over the speakers in their little holding facilities. (I’m head cannoning that now.)
25) “Her daughters had learned from her, absorbed every lesson, and now they wielded those teachings against her with the same conviction she once had” They have both done this, just not the same amount.
26) “Cindy couldn’t help but wonder if this was her punishment for the beliefs she had once held so dear” well if it’s punishment or justice for you, what does that make it for anyone else suffering from it?
27) That sink is just as clean as it was in 56!
1) I agree with that. I’m sure disabled people have the same or at least similar experiences as the things taken for granted all the sudden become more difficult or in some cases impossible
1.2) I would tend to agree. Even though Madison was nice enough to give a pressure washer it would still be alof to work. It would have been impossible for her do without the pressure washer.
2) Cindy is hard worker and an effective cleaner
3)Some would say she subjugated the throne.
4) Biologically speaking they have a few advantages just not size or strength
5) I can’t quite put my finger on who. They must have been quite the tyrant tho.
6) Karma won the lottery with CIndy.
7) I would agree with that assessment but in situations like these ones mind tends to jump to conclusions and a person envisions things worse then they are.
8) Yup, not to mention part of what is putting a wall nad lack of trust between Cindy and McKenzie. As McKenize doesn’t believe Cindy’s sincerity or that she has actually grown and changed her opinion or thoughts.
9) I would agree and Madison has been nicer to her in general. In time Madison could continue to lighten up especially after the newness of having a little wears off with Madison and its just a normal thing. In theory at that point things would be easier.
10) same, I’ve definitely been in that situation where you’re just waiting to let loose in sadness or anger in private .
11) yes, it only took 60 episodes of season 2 plus all of season 1. But here we are.
12)yup she is analyzing what she does well and what she does bad. She will probably utilize her more in area’s she excels at. While slowly building her up in area’s she is struggling. Madison is if nothing else observant. sometimes she plays dumb but she normally notices things.
13) Well clean them but they woudln’t have to clean them daily. But Cindy is also referring to things he wouldn’t get like Madison’s hair looks nice, shampooed, conditoner, make up, shes put together still. Where Cindy is a mess where even if Madison cleaned her she would be clean but still wouldn’t be at Madison’s level cleanliness and beauty.
14) Yup spot on. She does come off a little jealous though.
15.1) She said she would have to treat him as an equal when he is around. But this is also Madison. She is still going to use things to her advantage as she is training her mom in her own techniques so propping up someone doing well to use an example to strive for would be cindy101. Atleat old cindy teachings 101.
15.2) Some would say the pupil has become the master.
15.3) Madison tends to conveniently live that part out when it doesn’t suit her. Which is most situations. As the younger sister anything McKenize has she views as hers anyway.
16 and 16.2) Madison does care about McKenize and overall her her relationship with her mom wasn’t close to the kind of relationship Cindy and Mckenzie have.
One common thread throughout is Madison has been trying to get her and Mckenzie to make up. The reader may not have always believed it was sincere but it was.
Although I do agree that some aspects are, as you said, exaggerated.
17) Mckenzie doesn’t purposefully make it more messy. She maintains the same routines and efforts from before. She just uses Cindy to clean the bathroom sink for her. As a chore
18) yup Madison genuinely believes she is honoring Cindy’s beliefs and wants by raising her in the methods and teaching styles Cindy advocated for which is why sometimes they are opposed to things Madison would do but she does CIndy’s methods with CIndy.
19) The intent of cindy’s words were for littles. However , I could see it extended to a person with disabilities. While cindy was more little focused I’m sure others or someone could make that leap.
20) the intent is moreso a general religious belief of your a little because its gods plan and I’m not going to question gods will or at least shouldn’t. As I believe in god kind of thing.
21) This was one of the moment i was teasing for you several chapters ago. I’m glad you enjoyed it. The idea of old cindy talking to new cindy through lecture. Forced to hear her own words.
22) Ive never actually seen beyblade. I’m aware of the show I just never watched it. I was never home when it was on. Did they do that kind of thing a lot?
23) Yup a learning aid if you will.
24) That would be pretty funny. Its played into the cages and over the store speakers at night for littles.
25) they have. I mean there daughters weren’t like indoctrinated or something to a level where they thought CIndy’s methods were gospel. Even Madison doesn’t practice all of Cindy’s techniques or didn’t plan to at least to her own little. But she also never planned on Cindy being her little. She genuinely was laying the ground work and dropping hints for a Japanese little.
26) Hell
27) You have to use your imagination that its even cleaner .It was featured dirty in one of the episodes in between.
1.1) That would be a fair comparison. I agree with that.
2) I see that.
3) Lol
4) I guess, but they’d be outweighed by the disadvantages.
5) Truly a pathetic despot.
7) I’m sure word will get out, eventually.
8) Very true, she was too fanatical for her own good.
10) It’s be a cruel twist if when she does let it out she cries so loud it triggers the collar.
12) Clever Little master.
13) I see, so even if Madison cleaned her it wouldn’t be to that standard.
14) Jealous is a fitting response.
15.1) But why do that if she’s just gonna display the inequality anyway? Seams counterproductive.
15.2) The Little Master that is *guitar riff*
15.3) typical little sister behaviour.
16 and 16.2) It’s good to see, I do think McKenzie would benefit from rebuilding this bridge. And Madison getting invested in the make-up is good to see.
19) It’s definitely a quote one could take without the context.
20) I can see that and Agree, But my point was that it’s seemingly being echoed by the unquestioning obedience that guardians expect from their littles.
21) I laughed so hard I had to stop reading and come back later, I had no words to describe it that’s why I went with emoji’s,
22) The held tournaments of spinning tops fighting each other, I’m saying the metaphorical knife is twisting so much it’s like a spinning top.
24) Lol, or in the mess hall of their training facilities.
25) That had been mentioned. A Japanese Little would be expensive as they’d need to pay transport fees, I have a head cannon on how Japan treats Littles, or did you mean ethnically Japanese (Japanese-American) little? I hope she’d also pair based on comparability and not just looks.
27) It was dirty in 57 and 58.