Chapter 43 – The Next Step

Madelyn stared at her father in shock, her amber eyes wide with disbelief. "What do you mean a connection?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her father’s expression remained firm, his jaw set as he met her gaze. "You know I can’t talk about that, Maddy," he said gently but firmly. "It’s classified. You just have to trust me on this."

"But, Dad…" Madelyn started, her voice tinged with frustration and fear. "If you’ve found something—anything—that could help me figure out what’s going on, I need to know. This isn’t just about me. It’s about Aeloria and Astralyth. If there’s a connection, it could be the key to everything."

Her dad shook his head, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and resolve. "I know how important this is to you, but I can’t risk compromising the investigation. And I can’t risk you getting hurt," he said firmly. "I don’t want you going back into the game, at least for now. Not until I find out more about what’s really happening."

Madelyn’s heart sank, her tail drooping behind her. "But Dad, the game is the only place where I can get answers," she argued. "It’s the only way I can find out more about Aeloria, about what happened to her, and how to stop these people. If I don’t log in, I’m just… stuck."

Her mom, who had been listening quietly, placed a comforting hand on Madelyn’s shoulder. "Sweetheart, your dad is just trying to protect you," she said softly. "We’ve seen how dangerous this has become. Maybe taking a step back, even just for a little while, is the best thing to do."

Madelyn clenched her fists, her mind racing. She understood their concern, but the thought of pausing her search, of leaving Aeloria trapped and vulnerable, was unbearable. "I can’t just do nothing," she said, her voice trembling. "She’s counting on me. If I wait too long, it might be too late."

Her dad sighed, his expression softening slightly. "I get it, Maddy," he said. "I know you feel responsible, and I’m proud of you for that. But we have to be smart about this. There’s more going on here than we fully understand, and if Astralyth Corporation is involved in something this big, we can’t afford to take risks."

Madelyn looked down, her ears drooping. "I just… I don’t know what to do," she admitted. "Every minute I’m not in the game feels like I’m letting her down."

Her mom pulled her into a gentle hug, stroking her hair soothingly. "You’re not letting anyone down, Maddy," she said.

Madelyn nodded slowly, though her heart still ached with the weight of the situation. "I don’t know," she said softly. "I’ll wait. But only for a little while. Promise me we’ll find a way to get her back."

Her dad placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I promise, Maddy," he said. "We’ll do everything we can to bring her home."

Madelyn's eyes widened as her father continued, his tone more serious now. "It may be time to let some of my colleagues know about your situation," he said, his words measured but resolute. "They’re experienced with… unusual cases, and if what we’re dealing with ties back to Astralyth Corporation, their resources and expertise could be invaluable."

Her mom’s hand, still resting on Madelyn’s shoulder, tensed slightly. "Jack," she said softly, her voice tinged with concern. "Are you sure about this? Bringing others in… it could expose Maddy to even more danger."

Her dad nodded, his gaze steady. "I know, Emily," he replied. "But we’re past the point where we can keep everything under wraps. Between the connection to the missing people and now Lyra,"—he gestured toward the tiny fairy perched quietly on Madelyn’s lap—"we need help. If we want to protect Maddy and figure out what’s really going on, we can’t do it alone."

Madelyn glanced down at Lyra, who gave her a small nod of encouragement. The fairy’s calm presence was reassuring, but the thought of strangers knowing her deeply personal and fantastical reality made her stomach twist.

"What does that mean for me?" Madelyn asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are they going to treat me like… like some kind of experiment?"

Her dad’s expression softened, and he shook his head. "No, Maddy," he said firmly. "I would never let that happen. The people I trust will approach this with care. They’ll help us navigate the legal and logistical side of things, too—like getting you an official identity as Madelyn."

Her mom chimed in, her voice steady. "He’s right, sweetheart. With everything we’ve discovered, it’s not just about keeping you safe anymore. We need to make sure your new identity is protected and that you have the freedom to live your life without constantly looking over your shoulder."

Madelyn bit her lip, her ears flicking nervously. "It’s just… a lot," she admitted. "But I know you’re right."

Her dad offered a small, reassuring smile. "You’re handling this better than most people would, Maddy."

Lyra fluttered upward, hovering just above Madelyn’s head. "If these people can truly help, then perhaps it’s time," the fairy said, her chiming voice calm yet firm. "Your journey is only just beginning, Madelyn. Having more allies in both worlds could make all the difference."

Madelyn nodded slowly, her resolve strengthening. "Okay," she said. "If you think it’s the right move, let’s do it. But… only the ones you trust completely."

Her dad placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Absolutely, Maddy," he said.

The day passed quite fast after that. Her dad left for work, intending to reach out to his trusted associates. Meanwhile, Madelyn wandered aimlessly through the house, feeling unmoored. She had already taken a long shower, talked at length with her mom and Lyra, and now found herself curled up on the couch, absentmindedly stroking her tail as she stared out the window.

Her mom sat nearby, engrossed in her laptop but glancing over every so often. "Feeling restless, sweetheart?" she asked gently, not looking up from her screen.

Madelyn sighed, her amber eyes reflecting the gray clouds gathering outside. "Yeah," she admitted. "I don’t know what to do with myself…"

Lyra flitted up from her perch on the coffee table, her delicate wings creating a soft hum. "It’s understandable," the fairy said, her voice like a calming melody. "You’ve been thrust into a situation that spans two worlds. Being stuck in one while the other holds so many questions is bound to feel... incomplete."

Her mom closed her laptop, giving Madelyn her full attention. "You know," she began, "it might help to focus on something here in the meantime. Maybe we could plan for your return to school? It could be a good distraction, and we’ll need to have everything ready before next week."

Madelyn's ears twitched at the suggestion. School had been at the back of her mind, a looming reminder of normalcy that now felt anything but. "I guess," she said slowly. "It’s just weird thinking about going back, pretending to be someone I’m not."

Her mom offered a reassuring smile. "You’re not pretending, Maddy. You are Madelyn now, in every way that matters. But I get it; navigating that transition won’t be easy. That’s why we’ll make sure you’re prepared."

Madelyn nodded, her tail swishing lazily. "I’ll have to explain everything to the school. Well, not everything, but enough for them to believe the story about me being Benjamin’s twin sister." She hesitated, her hands fidgeting. "What if they don’t buy it?"

Her mom reached out, gently squeezing her hand. "We’ll have everything in place in time—your new ID, a believable backstory. And if anyone doubts it, they can deal with your father and I."

Lyra hovered closer, her tiny presence radiating warmth. "And if they give you any trouble," she added with a playful grin, "I’ll fly in and give them a piece of my mind."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Madelyn couldn’t help but laugh, the tension easing slightly. "Thanks, both of you," she said softly. "It helps to know I’ve got a great team."

Her mom leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "How about we draft up what we’ll tell the school? It’ll keep your mind busy and make sure we’re ready for whatever questions come our way."

"Yeah," Madelyn agreed. "Let’s do that."

Together, they began outlining the story of Madelyn’s sudden arrival—a tale of separation, reunion, and resilience that, while fabricated, held more truth than anyone at the school would ever know.

After they had drafted their story, her mom set the notebook aside and glanced over at Madelyn. “You know,” she said thoughtfully, “it might be a good idea to invite some of your friends over. It could help pass the time, and you’re still so restless.”

Madelyn tilted her head, considering the suggestion. The idea of having company sounded appealing—she was still too wound up to enjoy a quiet day—but the thought of having the whole group over felt a bit overwhelming. “Maybe not everyone,” she said slowly. “I love them, but I don’t think I can handle all their energy right now.”

Her mom smiled knowingly. "Sarah alone, then? Even though she’s probably 90% of the energy?"

Madelyn nodded, her ears twitching slightly. “Yeah, I think I could use some of her enthusiasm. Plus, she’ll probably go crazy when she sees Lyra.” She glanced at the fairy, who had been twirling in the air. “You ready to meet the whirlwind that is Sarah?”

Lyra grinned, her tiny hands on her hips. “I can’t wait! She sounds delightful.”

Madelyn pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message to Sarah. Hey, feel like coming over? Got something cool to show you. Within moments, her phone buzzed with an enthusiastic reply: OMG yes! I’m sooo bored!! Be there in 10!!!

“She’s on her way,” Madelyn announced, laughing softly. “Ten minutes. She probably sprinted the moment she saw my message.”

Her mom chuckled, standing up to tidy the living room. “Good thing we’re ready for her. I’ll grab some snacks.”

Madelyn leaned back on the couch, already feeling lighter at the thought of Sarah’s energy filling the house. Lyra hovered down to sit on her shoulder, her tiny feet dangling over the edge. “You really like her, don’t you?” the fairy observed.

“She’s been my best friend forever,” Madelyn said with a soft smile. “No matter what’s going on, she always finds a way to lift my spirits.”

The fairy raised an eyebrow, her wings fluttering lightly. "Not really what I meant," she said with a cheeky smile. "From what you’ve told me, though… never mind, it doesn’t matter."

Madelyn blinked, missing the implication. “Ehm, okay…” she said, shrugging.

Lyra giggled, clearly amused by Madelyn’s obliviousness.

They spent some time helping her mom tidy up, and then the doorbell rang.

“That’ll be Sarah,” Madelyn said, standing up but letting her mom take the lead.

Emily walked to the door, opening it to reveal Sarah, her usual bright smile in place. “Hey, Sarah,” she greeted warmly.

“Hey, Mrs. Roth!” Sarah said, bouncing slightly on her toes. “Madelyn said I could come over?”

Emily nodded, stepping aside. “She’s in the living room, waiting for you.”

“Awesome!” Sarah grinned, stepping inside and slipping off her shoes. “Thanks for letting me invade your home on such short notice.”

Emily chuckled. “You’re always welcome here, Sarah.”

Sarah beamed and practically sprinted toward the living room. “Maddy!” she called out, her voice filled with excitement.

“In here!” Madelyn replied, her heart lifting at the sound of her friend’s cheerful voice.

Sarah rounded the corner into the living room, her eyes immediately lighting up at the sight of Madelyn. “Hey! So, what’s this cool thing—”