Astralyth Online

Chapter 14 – Best Friend

"Sarah..." The name hung in the air like a whispered secret, heavy with realization. Madelyn stood there, her eyes wide, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum. The vibrant colors of the virtual world around her seemed to fade, leaving only the stark reality of the moment. Her mind raced, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions crashing over her.

It all made sense now—the boundless energy, the infectious laughter, the way Seraphina's eyes sparkled when she talked about the simplest things. The gentle kindness beneath her playful teasing. It was unmistakably Sarah.

Madelyn's thoughts flashed back to countless memories: late-night gaming marathons, shared jokes that only they found funny, whispered secrets under starry skies. Sarah had been her anchor, her confidante, her best friend through thick and thin. And now, here she was, standing right in front of her in this fantastical game world, and yet worlds apart.

The realization was both exhilarating and terrifying. Madelyn's heart soared at the thought of reuniting with her friend but plummeted with the fear of rejection. How could she explain who she was now? Would Sarah understand?

Seraphina—still gently holding Madelyn’s tail—turned back to face her. The playful grin she always wore slowly faded as confusion clouded her bright blue eyes. "Wait... how did you know my name?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her long hair cascading over her shoulder.

Madelyn opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Panic surged through her veins, her throat tightening as if gripped by an invisible hand. Her mind screamed a thousand thoughts, but none made it past her lips.

Sarah doesn't recognize me. Of course, she doesn't. Why would she? Madelyn's gaze dropped to the ground, her ears flattening against her head. I'm not who I used to be. Not on the outside, at least.

Seraphina took a step closer, concern replacing confusion on her face. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her hand releasing Madelyn's tail to gently touch her arm. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Madelyn flinched at the touch, her emotions a chaotic storm inside her. The warmth of Sarah's hand was both comforting and unbearable. She desperately wanted to tell her everything, to bridge the gap between them, but fear held her back.

"I... I'm fine," Madelyn managed to whisper, her voice barely audible. She took a shaky step backward, putting some distance between them. Her tail, now free, curled around her waist like a protective barrier.

Seraphina's brows knitted together. "Are you sure? You seem... off. Did I say something wrong?"

"No, it's not you," Madelyn hurried to say, her eyes flickering up to meet Sarah's before darting away. "I just... I remembered something I need to do."

A flicker of hurt passed over Seraphina's face, quickly replaced by a soft smile. "Oh, okay. Well, maybe we can finish the quest later?"

Madelyn nodded mechanically, not trusting herself to speak. Her mind screamed at her to stay, to explain, but her body was already turning away.

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"Wait!" Seraphina called out, her voice tinged with desperation. "Will I see you again?"

Madelyn hesitated, her back still turned. The weight of the question pressed heavily on her. "Maybe," she whispered, her voice barely carrying over the gentle breeze.

She opened the game menu, her fingers trembling as she navigated to the logout option. For a split second, she hovered over the button, a part of her begging to stay, to face her fears.

But the panic was too strong.

She pressed "Logout," and the vibrant world around her dissolved into darkness.

Madelyn opened her eyes to the dim interior of the Full-Dive Pod. The cool air brushed against her damp cheeks, and she realized she had been crying. She blinked, trying to clear her blurred vision, but the tears kept coming, hot and uncontrollable.

"Why am I so stupid?" she whispered harshly to herself, her voice echoing faintly within the pod. The weight of regret settled heavily on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She had run away—from Sarah, from the chance to reconnect, from the possibility of acceptance. Fear had won, and now she was left with the hollow ache of what-ifs.

Madelyn climbed out of the pod, her legs shaky beneath her. The room felt colder than usual, the shadows longer. She wrapped her arms around herself, seeking warmth but finding none.

Her gaze fell on the mirror across the room. She hesitated before stepping toward it. The reflection showed a girl with fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders, eyes a deep amber, and fox-like ears perched atop her head. A delicate face streaked with tears stared back.

"Is this really me?" she murmured, touching her cheek gently. The girl in the mirror mimicked her movements, but the disconnect remained. She felt caught between two worlds, belonging to neither.

A soft knock on the doorframe startled her. She turned to see her mother standing there, concern etched across her kind features.

"Madelyn, honey, are you alright?" her mother asked softly, stepping into the room.

Madelyn tried to muster a reassuring smile but failed miserably. Fresh tears welled up, and she shook her head.

"Oh, sweetheart," her mother whispered, closing the distance between them. She pulled Madelyn into a warm embrace, holding her tightly.

Madelyn clung to her, the sobs she had been holding back finally breaking free. "Mom, I... I messed up," she choked out between gasps.

Her mother stroked her hair gently. "It's okay, darling. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together."

Madelyn nodded against her mother's shoulder, taking comfort in the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. For a few moments, they stood like that, the world outside fading away.

"Let's go downstairs," her mother suggested softly. "Your father and I were just about to have some tea."

Madelyn allowed herself to be guided downstairs, her mother's arm wrapped protectively around her. The familiar scent of chamomile and honey greeted them as they entered the cozy living room. Her father looked up from his newspaper, his eyes immediately filling with concern.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, setting the paper aside.

Madelyn tried to avoid his gaze, but her mother gave her a gentle squeeze. "Madelyn had a rough time in the game," she explained.

Her father nodded knowingly. "Do you want to talk about it," he asked softly.

Madelyn hesitated before finally nodding. "I think... yes."

They settled onto the couch, her mother on one side and her father on the other. The warmth of the fireplace bathed the room in a soft glow, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

"I met someone today," Madelyn began, her voice barely above a whisper. "At first, I didn't recognize her. She was so full of energy and kindness. We went on a quest together, and everything felt... right."

Her parents listened attentively, their expressions encouraging.

"Then I realized—it was Sarah," Madelyn continued, her voice trembling. "Only, she didn't know it was me. I mean how could she?"

Her mother placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "And what happened then?"

"I felt scared," Madelyn admitted. "I wanted to tell her, but I was afraid. What if she doesn't accept me like this? What if she hates me?"

Her mother shook her head gently. "Sarah has been your friend for years. She cares about you deeply."

"But I've changed so much," Madelyn insisted, her eyes pleading for understanding. "I'm not the same person she knew."

"Change doesn't erase who you are inside," her mother said kindly. "True friends see beyond the surface."

Madelyn looked down at her hands, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "I panicked. I logged out without explaining anything. I left her confused and worried."

Her mother sighed softly. "We all make mistakes when we're scared. The important thing is what you do next."

"What should I do?" Madelyn asked, her voice small.

"Talk to her," her father suggested. "Be honest with her, it's Sarah we're talking about."

"But what if she doesn't understand?"

Her mother smiled gently. "Give her a chance. She might surprise you."

Madelyn considered their words, the knot of fear in her chest loosening slightly. "Maybe you're right."

A comfortable silence settled over them. The ticking of the clock and the soft crackling of the fire filled the room.

The doorbell rang suddenly, breaking the tranquility. Madelyn's ears perked up at the sound, and she felt a flutter of anxiety.

"I'll get it," her father offered, rising from his seat.

Madelyn watched him leave the room, her heart beginning to race again. She had a strange feeling about who might be at the door, but she didn’t dare hope or fear.

Voices drifted from the hallway, muffled but familiar.

"Hey, Mr. Roth," came a bright voice. "Is Benjamin home?"

Madelyn’s heart began to pound violently in her chest. The sound of the doorbell had already filled her with a vague sense of unease, but the moment she heard that voice—familiar, bright, her breath caught in her throat. She cringed at the mention of the name she had abandoned, the name that no longer felt like hers.

Hearing the voice say it, hearing her say it, made the hairs on the back of Madelyn's neck stand on end. It was like being pulled back into a place she didn't belong, a version of herself she no longer recognized. She squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to disappear into the couch cushions. Her father’s calm voice drifted from the hallway, gently telling the visitor that Benjamin wasn’t available.

But then, her pulse quickened as a pause stretched between them. The visitor’s voice broke the silence again, softer now, unsure yet filled with a quiet determination that sent flutters through Madelyn’s stomach.

“Then... is Madelyn home?”