Chapter 46 – Be Yourself

Madelyn woke with a start, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. Her face was streaked with tears, and her body felt like it had been through a storm. It took her a moment to register the soft, glowing presence of Lyra hovering beside her, the fairy’s delicate hands gently patting her cheek.

“Madelyn! It’s okay, you’re awake now,” Lyra said, her voice filled with worry. “You were crying in your sleep... and thrashing around. I couldn’t wake you.”

Madelyn rubbed her eyes, her chest still tight with the remnants of the dream. The sterile white hallways, the sight of Aeloria trapped in that tank, the men discussing her like she was nothing more than a test subject.

“I’m sorry, Lyra,” she murmured, her voice shaky. “It was... another dream. No, not just a dream—a nightmare.”

Lyra settled onto Madelyn’s pillow, her wings drooping slightly. “The same place?” she asked softly. “The room with your mom?”

Madelyn nodded, hugging her knees to her chest. “It’s always the same,” she whispered. “But this time, it felt even worse. There were three men. One of them... he’s the one who put her in the tank. And they talked about... about sacrifices. About some kind of world they’ve created. I don’t understand, Lyra.” Her voice cracked, the weight of it all pressing down on her. “Why can’t anything ever be simple?”

Lyra’s tiny hands reached out, resting gently on Madelyn’s arm. “I wish I could give you the answers you’re looking for,” she said, her voice soft.

Madelyn let out a shaky breath, feeling a flicker of comfort from Lyra’s presence. “Thanks, Lyra,” she said quietly.

For a moment, the room was silent except for the soft hum of the morning. The weight of the dream still hung over Madelyn.

Finally, Madelyn swung her legs over the side of the bed, standing slowly. “I guess I should get ready,” she said, forcing a small, weary smile. “Today’s going to be a long one.”

Lyra nodded, hovering close. “We’ll take it one step at a time, Maddy. You’re stronger than you think.”

Madelyn made her way to the bathroom, her bare feet padding softly against the floor, leaving Lyra in her room. She shut the door behind her, the faint hum of the morning filling the quiet space. As she began to undress, her eyes caught her reflection in the mirror, and she paused.

Her fiery red hair framed her face, slightly tousled from sleep. The soft, twitching fox ears atop her head and the long, swaying tail behind her—features that had once felt so foreign—now seemed as natural as breathing. Despite everything, despite the turmoil in her heart, the sight of herself brought a strange sense of comfort.

Madelyn let out a slow breath, her hands gripping the edge of the sink. The remnants of the dream clung to her like a heavy fog, but as she stared into the mirror, some of that weight seemed to lift. Her reflection was a reminder of how far she had come, of the strength she had found in this new identity.

The gentle sway of her tail behind her was almost soothing, and her fox ears twitched as they picked up the faintest sounds of the house stirring. This body, this form—it was hers. And it felt perfect.

She ran a hand through her hair, her fingertips brushing against the soft fur of her ears. “One step at a time,” she whispered to herself, echoing Lyra’s words. The coolness of the bathroom tiles beneath her feet and the steady rhythm of her breathing helped ground her, pulling her further from the lingering fear and emotions of the dream.

After a moment, Madelyn turned on the shower, letting the sound of running water fill the room. As steam began to rise, she stepped under the warm spray, letting it wash away the tension in her muscles and the remnants of her tears.

Madelyn let the hot water cascade over her, the steady rhythm like a soothing embrace. She focused on her breathing, slow and steady, letting the warmth ease away the last traces of tension from her dream. The sensation of the water threading through her hair, over her soft skin, and down her curves brought a sense of grounding. When it reached her tail, the weight of it under the stream made her chuckle softly.

Her hands gently combed through her long hair, ensuring every strand was free of tangles. She’d learned quickly that caring for her hair and tail was an art in itself. As the water ran over her tail, she carefully stroked it, feeling the soft fur flatten under her palms. It was a bit of a hassle sometimes, but in moments like this, it felt oddly satisfying.

The shower had become a small sanctuary, a space where she could just be herself, away from the complexities of her dual worlds. She tilted her head back, letting the water wash over her face, a small smile tugging at her lips. The warmth, the steady sound of the water—it all worked together to create a bubble of calm.

But she couldn’t stay here forever. The thought of drying off made her smile widen slightly, remembering the process of carefully drying her hair and tail. It was time-consuming but oddly therapeutic.

Madelyn reached for the soap, her hands moving with practiced ease, and as she did, she let her mind wander to lighter things: Sarah’s excitement about Lyra, the way her mom had brushed her hair before, and the comforting presence of her family. These were the moments that kept her grounded, even as the mysteries of her dreams, her mom and the game loomed.

As the water began to cool, Madelyn finally turned off the shower. She reached for the towel, wrapping it snugly around herself. With another towel in hand, she carefully patted down her tail, smoothing the damp fur as best as she could. Drying might take a while, but for now, she felt calm, refreshed, and ready to face whatever the day had in store.

She slipped back into her room, the soft click of the door barely audible. Lyra was waiting for her, perched on the windowsill, her tiny wings catching the morning light as she offered a comforting smile.

“Feeling better?” the fairy asked gently, her voice as soothing as a breeze.

Madelyn nodded, running a hand through her still-damp hair. “Yeah, a bit. Thanks, Lyra.”

She walked to her closet, pulling open the doors with a sigh. Today wasn’t just any day—her dad’s colleagues were coming over, people who would learn about her and her unusual situation. The thought made her tail flick nervously behind her. What kind of impression did she want to make?

Her fingers brushed over various outfits as she pondered. Pants and a shirt? Simple, neutral, unassuming. It would be a safe choice, something that didn’t scream attention. But as she looked at the plainer pieces, something in her hesitated. Did she want to hide?

Her gaze shifted to the skirts and dresses hanging on the other side. A skirt, maybe? Or even a dress? Something more feminine, more in line with how she felt most days as Madelyn. The thought brought a slight blush to her cheeks. It would make a statement, but it was also undeniably her.

Lyra fluttered closer, landing lightly on the edge of the bed. “You’re overthinking it,” she said with a knowing smirk. “Wear what makes you feel comfortable, not what you think they want to see.”

Madelyn chuckled softly, appreciating the fairy’s straightforwardness. After rifling through her clothes, her hand finally paused on a particular dress—the one she’d worn that very first day as Madelyn. It was simple but elegant, flowing gently at the hem with a soft fabric that hugged her figure just enough.

She pulled it from the closet and held it up, her amber eyes studying it. It felt right. More than any other outfit, this dress represented her transformation, her identity as Madelyn. It wasn’t just an outfit; it was a piece of herself, a connection to the person she had become.

Lyra clapped her tiny hands together. “Now that’s a choice,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “It suits you perfectly.”

Madelyn smiled, a sense of calm washing over her. She slipped the dress on, feeling the fabric settle comfortably against her skin. She moved to the mirror, brushing her hair gently, considering how to style it. In the end, she decided on leaving it down, letting her fiery red locks cascade freely around her shoulders.

She turned to Lyra, giving a small twirl. “What do you think?”

Lyra gave a dramatic bow. “Absolutely stunning, my lady.”

Madelyn laughed, feeling more confident. This was her. No matter what happened today, she would face it as Madelyn—fully and unapologetically herself.

Madelyn descended the stairs, the soft fabric of her dress swishing lightly around her legs. The comforting hum of morning activity greeted her ears, and as she reached the kitchen, the rich aroma of breakfast filled her senses.

Her dad was at the stove, flipping pancakes with a practiced ease. The moment the scent hit her, Madelyn’s body once again reacted instinctively. Her mouth watered, and without even realizing it, her tail started swaying happily behind her.

Her mom, sitting at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee in hand, glanced up and couldn’t help but chuckle, her eyes following her tail. “Oh, Maddy,” she said warmly, her eyes sparkling with affection. “You don’t realize how adorable you are.”

Madelyn froze mid-step, her cheeks flushing. She shot a glance over her shoulder and groaned softly as she saw the traitorous tail wagging away. “Mom…” she murmured, trying to will it to stop, but it only seemed to sway more enthusiastically in response to the delicious smells.

Her dad turned from the stove, a grin spreading across his face as he took in the scene. “Well, good morning to you, too,” he teased. “Looks like someone’s ready for breakfast.”

Madelyn laughed despite herself, making her way to the table. “I can’t help it,” she said, plopping into a chair. “You’re making my favorite.”

“And you’re making it clear just how much you love it,” her mom added playfully, giving her a gentle nudge on the arm. “Honestly, Maddy, you’ve become so expressive after your transformation, more free. It’s one of the things I love about this new you.”

Madelyn’s ears twitched, and she gave a shy smile. She wasn’t used to receiving so many compliments, but they warmed her all the same. “Thanks, Mom,” she said softly, her tail finally settling as she grew more relaxed.

Her dad set a plate of pancakes on the table, along with a small bowl of fruit and syrup. “Dig in, everyone,” he said, taking a seat. “We’ve got a big day ahead.”

Madelyn hesitated for only a second before serving herself, the first bite making her practically melt with satisfaction. Her family’s laughter and easy conversation filled the room.

After they had finished breakfast, Madelyn helped clear the table, her mind swirling with anticipation. She wiped her hands on a dish towel and turned to her dad, who was tidying up the kitchen. “So, um… how late are your colleagues coming?” she asked, trying to sound casual but unable to keep the nervous edge out of her voice.

Her dad glanced at his watch. “Should be in about an hour,” he replied, giving her a reassuring smile.

Madelyn felt her stomach twist, her nerves quickly creeping back in. She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her fox ears twitching. “Ehm… do you think I should, you know, hide my ears and tail?” she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her dad paused for a moment, then walked over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Just do what feels right, Maddy,” he said softly. “You can trust them. They’ve been my colleagues for years, and they’re good people. They’re coming here to help, not to judge.”

Madelyn nodded slowly, trying to absorb his words. “I just don’t want to make things more complicated,” she admitted, her amber eyes searching his for reassurance.

“You won’t,” her dad said firmly. “They’re here because they want to help us figure this out. And besides,” he added with a small grin, “you’re amazing just the way you are. They’ll see that.”

Her mom chimed in from the living room, where she was arranging some cushions. “Your dad’s right, sweetheart. Be yourself. You don’t have to hide who you are.”

Madelyn took a deep breath, her tail flicking slightly behind her as she tried to steady her nerves. “Okay,” she said, her voice a little stronger. “I’ll try.”

Her dad gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “That’s my girl,” he said warmly. “Now, let’s make sure everything’s ready for when they arrive.”

Together, they went about preparing the house, and though Madelyn’s anxiety lingered, the steady presence of her parents made her feel a little more confident.