Cindy shivered as the night air grew colder, the chill seeping through her thin clothes and settling into her bones. The temperature had dropped significantly, and the meager warmth generated by her hard work was all that kept her from freezing. She moved briskly, scrubbing and spraying with determined efficiency as she continued to clean McKenzie’s sink. Each movement was a small rebellion against the cold and the circumstances she found herself in.
Madison’s words from earlier echoed relentlessly in her mind. “You need to do a good job to impress McKenzie. Try to get into your eldest daughter’s good graces.” The idea was almost laughable, yet painfully real. The absurdity of needing to impress her own daughter gnawed at her pride. I am their mother, she thought bitterly. I shouldn’t have to earn their approval.
But reality was unyielding. She glanced down at her small hands—delicate and foreign. She was trapped in this diminutive, rodent-like body, the very form she had once regarded with disdain. The term “Little” was no longer an abstract concept or a label for others; it was her new identity, imposed upon her without consent. She was confined to this lesser existence, subject to the whims of her own children.
A surge of frustration welled up inside her as she directed the pressure washer’s stream across the porcelain basin, watching the bits of dirt and residue wash away. McKenzie’s sink was mostly clean to begin with—a stark contrast to Madison’s—but that didn’t lessen the humiliation of the task. Each speck of grime she eliminated felt like a piece of her old life slipping further out of reach.
Cindy’s thoughts drifted back to how things used to be. Just days ago, she was the matriarch of the household, the one who set the rules and maintained order. Now, she was reduced to this—a servant in her own home, striving to meet the standards set by her daughters. The roles had reversed in the cruelest way possible.
The cold intensified, and she pulled her thin shirt tighter around herself, though it did little to ward off the chill. The physical discomfort was a constant reminder of her vulnerability. Being a Little not only stripped her of her authority but also exposed her to hardships she never imagined enduring.
Madison’s words continued to ring in her ears, not just as a command but as a symbol of her new reality. The need to impress McKenzie, to earn a place in her eldest daughter’s favor, was both degrading and infuriating. Yet, what choice did she have? Resistance only led to more isolation and punishment. She had to find a way to navigate this new world, no matter how much she despised it.
As she continued to work, the rhythmic motion of cleaning provided a small distraction from her swirling emotions. The spray of the water, the hiss of the pressure washer, the faint scent of cleaning agents—they all blended into a monotonous backdrop against which her thoughts played out.
She couldn’t help but recall the times she had scolded her daughters for not keeping their spaces tidy, the lectures about responsibility and discipline. The irony was bitter. Now, she was the one toiling away, her efforts subject to their scrutiny and approval.
Cindy paused for a moment, her gaze lingering on the sparkling surface of the sink. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, both physical and emotional. She felt trapped—not just in this tiny body but in a situation that seemed impossible to escape. The weight of her circumstances pressed down on her, heavy and relentless.
But there was also a flicker of something else—a stubborn resolve. She wasn’t ready to surrender entirely. Even if her protests fell on deaf ears, even if her autonomy was stripped away, she still had her mind, her memories, her sense of self. They couldn’t take that from her.
With a deep breath, she resumed her work, determined to finish the task. Not for Madison, not for McKenzie, but for herself. It was a small act of defiance, a way to assert her dignity in a world that sought to deny it.
The night wore on, and as she continued to clean, the cold seemed a little less biting. Perhaps it was the warmth generated by her movements or perhaps it was that flicker of inner strength keeping her going. Either way, Cindy pressed on, one sweep at a time, navigating the delicate balance between survival and self-preservation in this new, unforgiving reality.
McKenzie strode into the bathroom, the overhead lights flickering to life as she flipped the switch. The sharp thud of her footsteps against the tiled floor echoed in the confined space, each step a reminder of her presence and authority. Cindy, standing in the freshly cleaned sink, jolted at the sudden intrusion. The stark brightness blinded her momentarily, and she shielded her eyes with a trembling hand. From her vantage point, everything seemed magnified—the cold gleam of the porcelain, the towering silhouette of her daughter moving with practiced indifference.
Without so much as a glance in her direction, McKenzie closed the door behind her and settled onto the toilet. The soft hum of short videos playing on her phone filled the silence, punctuated by bursts of canned laughter and catchy music. The sound was both familiar and distant, a reminder of ordinary moments now tinged with tension.
Cindy’s heart clenched. She wanted to call out, to bridge the widening chasm between them, but uncertainty held her back. Does she even want to hear from me? she wondered. She knew McKenzie was aware of her—how could she not be? Yet her daughter made no effort to acknowledge her existence. Even Madison, for all her sternness, still engaged with her. This cold shoulder was a different kind of pain, one that cut deeper than any reprimand.
Summoning her courage, Cindy decided to take the risk. Her voice, once strong and commanding, now felt small and fragile. “Mistress Wessen,” she called out, the title bitter on her tongue. The inability to say McKenzie’s name was a cruel twist of fate—restrictions imposed by her own past rules, now weaponized against her by her own daughters.
McKenzie didn’t look up. “What was your rule? Speak when spoken to,” she replied coldly, her eyes fixed on the screen. The words hung heavy in the air, laden with unspoken resentment. She didn’t trust her mother; she didn’t believe in her sudden change of heart. Years of dismissing McKenzie’s beliefs had built a wall between them, one not easily dismantled.
Cindy spent years undermining everything McKenzie believed about Littles, McKenzie thought, her grip tightening on her phone. Always telling me I was wrong, too soft-hearted. And now fate has turned her into the very thing she oppressed. The irony wasn’t lost on her. Now she wants to reconsider? Now she questions the laws she helped create?
Memories flooded back, her mother’s stern lectures, the disapproving looks, the constant belittling of her more compassionate views. “You don’t understand, McKenzie. You need to be firmer. Littles require us to guide them, educate them, provide them a purpose,” her mother would say. But Dad listened. He believed in me.
Cindy swallowed hard, holding her tongue as per the rule, a rule she herself had enforced countless times. The silence was suffocating. She yearned to explain, to apologize, but fear and pride kept her silent. Is this how the Littles felt under my guidance? Trapped by rules with no voice?
McKenzie stood up, the rustle of clothing breaking the quiet. She flushed the toilet and approached the sink, her movements deliberate. Looking down, she saw her mother, small, vulnerable, a shadow of the formidable woman she once was. Without a word, McKenzie pumped soap into her hands, the citrus scent filling the air as she lathered her fingers. She reached over and turned on the faucet.
Cindy’s eyes widened in panic. The white porcelain walls of the sink were slick and offered no grip as she desperately tried to climb to safety. She slipped, her tiny hands scrambling for purchase, but it was futile. Warm water cascaded from above, a torrential downpour at her scale. The roar of the water drowned out her cries as she pressed herself against the far edge of the sink, droplets splashing onto her.
To McKenzie, the water was a gentle stream; to Cindy, it was a threatening deluge. Watching her mother’s futile attempts to escape, a complex mix of emotions churned within McKenzie. Seeing her like this shouldn’t bring me any satisfaction, she thought, a pang of guilt piercing her resolve. I should be the bigger person. She shut off the water and reached for a towel, patting her hands dry with measured calm.
“What is it, Mom?” McKenzie finally said, her tone neutral but edged with fatigue. She turned her gaze to Cindy, who stood dripping and shaken. I’m not her, she reminded herself. I won’t become the person who ignores others’ pain.
Cindy looked up, water clinging to her hair and clothes, her eyes pleading. “Thank you, Mistress Wessen. I am humbled—” she began, the formal address tasting bitter.
“Mom, just get on with it,” McKenzie interrupted, a flicker of impatience crossing her face.
“Y-yes,” Cindy stammered, a rare hesitation from someone who once commanded any room she entered. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t fair to you. I didn’t understand where you were coming from until now. Experiencing this… I see that I was misguided. I never meant to make you feel unheard and disrespected.”
McKenzie studied her for a moment, emotions warring within her. “Well, you did, Mom,” she replied, her voice steady but laced with long-held hurt. “Dad was the only one who supported me, who listened without judgment. Even now, I wonder if you truly believe what you’re saying, or if you’re just struggling because you’ve lost control. You can’t stand not being in control, can you?”
Cindy felt a sting at her words but knew they were deserved. “I realize that now,” she whispered.
“I can see you’re done here,” McKenzie said, glancing at the spotless sink. “I’ll get your favorite daughter to take over.” She turned to leave, her steps brisk.
“McKenzie, please,” Cindy called out, desperation seeping into her voice. Almost immediately, she felt the collar around her neck activate, tightening just enough to cut off her words. She gasped, hands flying to her throat as she struggled to breathe.
McKenzie turned back, her eyes cold but reflective. “Just like you always wanted, a Little subdued for being disrespectful,” she said softly. “I’m sure you’re proud.”
Cindy’s vision blurred, whether from tears or the constriction she couldn’t tell. The irony was suffocating.
“By the way, even now, Dad supports my decisions,” McKenzie continued, her voice gaining strength. “He believes in me. And even though you never did, I’m still looking out for you. I’m making sure you’re okay, that you can handle the life you forced onto others. I’m giving you the chance you never gave me.”
She took a deep breath, her expression softening just a fraction. “Madison is putting you through the training you designed, the one you thought was best for Littles. If you can complete it, then I’ll forgive you. Maybe then we can start over. Because unlike you, I believe in second chances.” McKenize said pausing before lifting her mother up from the sink and gently drying her off with hand towel befor setting her back down in the sink.
With that, McKenzie turned and walked out of the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind her. The silence that followed was deafening. Cindy sank to her knees, the weight of her daughter’s words pressing down on her.
She heard McKenzie’s voice echoing from down the hall, calling for Madison. The reality of her situation settled in, she would soon be judged again, her efforts scrutinized under the very standards she had set.
Cindy closed her eyes, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. This is the world I created, she thought. And now I must find a way to navigate it.
So, since Cindy used to work at Preema Tech, was she the one who implemented the chip that littles who were trained at their facilities, such as Scott from Chrissy’s story, have inside them?
Well Cindy was in managment so she was in the boardroom meetings where it was discussed but I don’t think it would be fair to say she was the one who made it happen or implemented it.
She didn’t speak up to stop it either though if we are being fair. However that decision was something many people had a hand in.
That makes sense. So what did she do while working there?
She was an executive dealing sale and trade of littles along with training.
Oh, so she was responsible for Preema Tech’s training methods which makes me despise her even more.
Get wrecked Cindy.
I’m glad kenz gave Cindy a path for redemption that seems reasonable. Completing the little training she created and taught to see the error of her ways before she gets a second chance a lot of littles don’t get.
That was my thought process as I felt Kenzie while upset would be the more reasonable of the two as her character in general is a bit more mature.
So while she is upset she would give her mother a fair redemption path. Having her mother basically do what she was asking others to do seems like a fair ask.
1.1) “The temperature had dropped significantly, and the meager warmth generated by her hard work was all that kept her from freezing” that’s a bit risky of Madison, I can’t imagine that not being classed as abuse.
1.2) “Each movement was a small rebellion against the cold and the circumstances she found herself in” I don’t think doing exactly what you’re told counts as a rebellion.
2.1) “You need to do a good job to impress McKenzie. Try to get into your eldest daughter’s good graces.” That’s one way to rebuild a bridge
2.2) “I am their mother, she thought bitterly. I shouldn’t have to earn their approval” nor should she have needed to earn yours, and yet…
3) “She was trapped in this diminutive, rodent-like body, the very form she had once regarded with disdain” Actually it’s more primate than a rodent, a hominid even.
4) “The term “Little” was no longer an abstract concept or a label for others; it was her new identity, imposed upon her without consent” no one else consented to be a little, why would you be different?
5) “Now, she was reduced to this—a servant in her own home, striving to meet the standards set by her daughters. The roles had reversed in the cruelest way possible” does this imply Cindy treated her daughters like servants?
6) “Being a Little not only stripped her of her authority but also exposed her to hardships she never imagined enduring.” but was fine forcing others to endure
7) “Resistance only led to more isolation and punishment. She had to find a way to navigate this new world, no matter how much she despised it.” just like Cindy intended.
8) “determined to finish the task. Not for Madison, not for McKenzie, but for herself” Realistic goals would help with coping
9) “McKenzie closed the door behind her and settled onto the toilet” well, she’s probably “gone potty” in front of her mother before. It’d still be way too weird for me if I were McKenzie.
10.1) “Does she even want to hear from me?” No, and Cindy wisely decides to leave it for a few weeks, possibly months.
10.2) “Mistress Wessen,” she called out” fucking damnit.
11) “What was your rule? Speak when spoken to,” That’s rough, but about what I expected.
12) “She didn’t trust her mother; she didn’t believe in her sudden change of heart. Years of dismissing McKenzie’s beliefs had built a wall between them, one not easily dismantled.” entirely understandable.
13) “Always telling me I was wrong, too soft-hearted. And now fate has turned her into the very thing she oppressed. The irony wasn’t lost on her. Now she wants to reconsider? Now she questions the laws she helped create?” That is all very good points and make it understandable why McKenzie would let her grudge fester like she has.
14) “Is this how the Littles felt under my guidance? Trapped by rules with no voice?” yes, they fucking did.
15) “To McKenzie, the water was a gentle stream; to Cindy, it was a threatening deluge. Watching her mother’s futile attempts to escape, a complex mix of emotions churned within McKenzie” that seems irresponsible of McKenzie, too far for her to carry this revenge.
16.1) “Seeing her like this shouldn’t bring me any satisfaction, she thought, a pang of guilt piercing her resolve. I should be the bigger person” that’s more what I’d expect from McKenzie, not showing too much kindness, but not needlessly cruel either.
16.2) “I’m not her, she reminded herself. I won’t become the person who ignores others’ pain.” that’s what I was hoping.
17) “Thank you, Mistress Wessen. I am humbled—” she began, the formal address tasting bitter.“ It would, but she created it.
19) “I’m sorry. I wasn’t fair to you. I didn’t understand where you were coming from until now. Experiencing this… I see that I was misguided. I never meant to make you feel unheard and disrespected.” This is more of a genuine apology than previously given,
20) “Well, you did, Mom… Dad was the only one who supported me, who listened without judgment. Even now, I wonder if you truly believe what you’re saying, or if you’re just struggling because you’ve lost control. You can’t stand not being in control, can you?” That’s a completely fair response from McKenzie, bridges are still burning from her perspective.
21) “I can see you’re done here… I’ll get your favourite daughter to take over.” Harsh but fair response.
22) “Just like you always wanted, a Little subdued for being disrespectful… I’m sure you’re proud.” Wound salting like a champ.
23.1) “By the way, even now, Dad supports my decisions,” Not all of them, certainly not this one where you leave his wife to suffer.
23.2) “I’m still looking out for you. I’m making sure you’re okay, that you can handle the life you forced onto others. I’m giving you the chance you never gave me.” It’s minimal but it’s still technically kindness, if Cindy wasn’t so awful, I’d be a lot more critical of McKenzie’s actions.
24.1) “Madison is putting you through the training you designed, the one you thought was best for Littles. If you can complete it, then I’ll forgive you. Maybe then we can start over. Because unlike you, I believe in second chances.” well, at least that’s an achievable condition for forgiveness.
24.2) “McKenize said pausing before lifting her mother up from the sink and gently drying her off with handtowel before setting her back down in the sink.” that’s a good sign given their strained relationship.
25) “The reality of her situation settled in, she would soon be judged again, her efforts scrutinized under the very standards she had set.” that’s gonna be the rest of her life
it seems to me the sink drain not having a screen could be dangerous because a little could be washed down it and not having a out to ask for safe warmth is a safety Hazzard that I would think needs to be addressed
1.1) It was meant to exude she was cold but its not like abusive levels of cold. I live in a very cold part of the united states so I forget not everyone deals with -40 and -50 degree temperatures. Where just saying its freezing is still fairly warm compared to sub artic degree days we get.
1.2) Its a obedient rebellion.
2.1) Yes, while probably still would be alot of work. A person needs to start soemwehre.
2.2so true.
3.)Yes, but Cindy always referred to them as Rodents. So I give her some credit for calling herself a rodent.
4.) Because she is Cindy Wessen and tehy aren’t.
5) Well she did and does love her kids. But probably to some degree.
6) You need to understand though they aren’t her so its different lol..
7.) A real shame that her own methods are used against her like this so effectively.
8) It would. I agree.
9) Well she hadn’t in front of her mother but she in front of a little most definitely. SHe took a a page out of Cindy’s book and just thought of her as just a little probably.
10) you speak to soon. SHes not that wise.
10.2) lol that quck realization. It would have been much more wise to say nothing and let sleeping dogs lie.
11) SHe kinda earned that one.
12) Yeah, its a fair thought all things considered. Cindy and McKenzie didn’t get to this place with any one singular thought or action.
13) I was hoping it would go over that way. As it defined the situation for me but sometimes when you’re writing its harder to see the forest from the trees when you’re in it.
14) Only now she realizes.
15)Perhaps, but sometimes you’ve pushed someone so far even though kindest people can snap or have a moment of weakness. THey are human after all
16) Thats a fairly accurate depiction of Mckenzie.
16.2) She can’t give in to the darkside of the force if you will.
17) Its hard to feel bad for her not liking the system she created.
19) Yes but it would probably be more effective if she wasn’t a little. I mean cindy can’t help that now. But being shes a little apologizing could still fall into McKenzie’s you are just apologizing because this happened to you.
20) Bridges are under water and Cindy’s trying to keep them from being washed out to sea.
21) Cindy will probably being hearing alot of that over the next months. Things need to be rebuilt the ground up.
22) Yes, she learned from the best.
23) Well not literally but he does support her in general which is what she was getting at.
23.2)Its more hten Cindy would have bestowed to a little. SO its probably more kindness then she deserves as it makes her training actually easier as seh wouldn’t be getting the full cindy expierence of everything crashing around you and the only olive branch you have is that from your guardian, to comply. to become obedient or else you sink beneath the surface to be forever enveloped in misery and suffering.
24) Yes its a reasonable situation. As the only one stopping Cindy from achieving it is Cindy.
24.2) Its still her mom. She does still ultimately love her even if she is mad.
25) The judging of Madison hanging above her like eye of Sauron for the rest of her life.
1.1) Well I’m from a hot part of Australia and those numbers are horrifying to me. But even still Cindy’s body would be fucked in low temperatures like that.
1.2) Those words don’t go together.
3) Consistency is good.
4) Lol
6) That is different.
7) What was Karma thinking.
9) I was referring to Potty training when I said she’s gone in front of Cindy. Never a good sign when Cindy’s book is used,
10.1) So, I saw.
10.2) Indeed, Cindy’s not wise in this instance.
11) Yep
12) Nope, it was built up to.
13) It’s definitely the focus point of their issues.
15) Indeed, I’m just glad McKenzie isn’t experiencing the guilt of Cindy getting injured.
16.1) She has a point to her meanness.
16.2) Not entirely
17) Indeed
19) She wouldn’t have learned otherwise, So McKenzie’s technically right, but that doesn’t actually negate sincerity.
21) I wonder how Maddie feels about being called “Cindy’s favourite” as an insult to Cindy
23.2) It’s a lot nicer than Cindy would be, she is in many ways getting off easy for her actions.
24.1) I’m curious if McKenzie actually could forgive Cindy, even after completion.
24.2) That’s good, as much as I want Cindy to suffer, I don’t want it coming from McKenzie actively.
25) Lol.