Generation 1- Chapter 8

Following the attack, Lanya and Charles decided it would be better for Madison if she was homeschooled for a bit. After a month of homeschooling, Madison couldn’t stand being at home so she convinced her parents to let her go back to school. Going back to school proved difficult at first, with everyone gawking at her and whispering, clearly having read the newspapers or watched the coverage on TV.

Ever since the night of the attack, Lanya and Charles would meet with Madison’s lawyer, Lorie Roberts, to discuss the case against Victor Chasm. Victor disappeared the night of the attack but, because of all the media attention the case was getting, 4 more girls came forward admitting they were attacked by him as well. It was a frenzy and Madison simply said she wanted nothing to do with it, so her parents did everything they could legally do on her behalf.

Ever since that day, Madison took more of an interest in cooking. It started as being her distraction from thinking about that night, but slowly it became a part of her daily routine. She would invent new recipes for the family to enjoy. And boy did they enjoy! Everyone in the family gained a few pounds since Madison took over the kitchen.

One night while the family was eating another one of her creations, Madison all of a sudden jumped out of her chair and grabbed her stomach, moaning loudly. “I knew you were trying to kill us Mads! Your plan backfired didn’t!” Aubree teased.

“I’m gonna…I’m gonna…” Madison cringed and ran off to the bathroom. When she finally made it back, the entire family was staring at her.

“Honey, how much cheese did you put in this casserole? You know you’re lactose intolerant!” said Charles.

“No, baby, I think this might be that flu that’s be going around,” Lanya chimed in. “A couple of my friends have gotten it too. But, Maddie, you’ve been vomiting for more than a week now! Maybe we should go to the hospital, just to make sure you haven’t caught a serious virus. We’ll go tomorrow, ok? I’ll call the school in the morning to let them know you won’t be coming.”

Madison just nodded. She was actually petrified of hospitals, but in exchange for a day off school she was willing to go.

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Meanwhile, Charles aged into an elder! He decided ahead of time that, considering all that had happened recently, he wouldn’t make a big deal about his birthday.

Becoming a senior made Charles realize he was tired of being in the limelight. He decided retiring for good would be the best thing for himself and his family.

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The next morning Lanya and Madison went to the hospital. Madison was dreading it the whole night, especially because she knew she would have to bring up being raped and she didn’t want to have to talk about that anymore. As they sat impatiently in the waiting room, Madison tried to calm herself with reassuring thoughts. Get it together Mad, they’re just going to give you a prescription and send you home…no biggie, right? Right?

“Madison!” Lanya tapped her on the arm. Madison snapped out of it and noticed her mom and a woman staring at her. “The doctor is ready for you sweetie.”

"Hi Madison! I’m Dr. Cuoco,” a blonde woman said smiling. “Would you mind coming to the back with me please? Mom, don’t worry we’ll be done in about 20 mins. Feel free to help yourself to some coffee in the lounge.”

Madison looked over at her mom. Lanya got up and hugged her reassuringly before turning her back towards the doctor. Madison took a deep breath and followed the smiling doctor to an awaiting room.

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An hour and several tests later, the doctor finally had an answer for Madison…and it was not what she wanted to hear. “Don’t worry Madison, I’ll give you some medicine for the vomiting and try drinking some oregano tea for the cough! I’ve heard it’s very effective. Come back in a few weeks and we’ll see how you’re doing ok?,” Dr. Cuoco said smiling. Madison got up in a daze and walked back to her anxious looking mother. “Well Mads, what did she say? Was it the flu?”

Madison started for the door, “Mom, I just want to go home.” Lanya had no choice but to follow her, knowing she would open up in time.

Later that night, the family sat together eating dinner. The room was silent, not one person speaking. Bentley couldn’t stand the lack of noise, “So Mads, what mutant disease do you have huh? Is it contagious?”

Madison looked at her plate and slowly said, “No…it’s not…contagious.”

“Well sweetie, you never did tell me what Dr. Cuoco said, but I’m assuming with the oregano tea, it must be some kind of cold right?” Lanya said.

“Ummm…kinda…not really. I don’t know,” Madison sighed.

“Well Mad, spit it out already! What exactly do you have?” Charles chuckled.

Still looking at her plate, though now slightly trembling, Madison barely whispered, “I’m…pregnant.”