Madison and The Monsters

12. Another Talk

 Again Madison found herself in a chair facing Dr. Fox. Though she was less upset about it than last time. She was quite happy to avoid Noir. Madison's mum was even wondering about her child's more pleasant mood.

Neither of the occupants of the room had said anything yet. Dr. Fox seemed to be preparing to walk on eggshells. Madison noticed this and began to worry. Soon enough Dr. Fox seemed to have decided the best way to phrase what he was going to say.

"Madison I remember from last time you didn't want to talk about your dad. I was simply wondering if you would be open to it today. If not don't feel you need to," Dr. Fox said in a delicate manner.

He said it in a way that didn't make her feel like she had any responsibility to approve of such a conversation. Honestly she was quite curious as to the specifics to his idea. Despite not really wanting to talk about it she nodded her head slowly.

"Okay. So you remember what happened?" He said making sure.

Once again she simply nodded. Madison wasn't sure if her words would come out if she tried. She decided it was safest to just nod whenever possible.

"Can you tell me?" He asked, he knew she had a different perspective on what happened.

"He was in a car accident," Madison said while looking at her hands.

"I've been told you believe Noir caused the accident," he stated as he wrote something down.

"Yeah," she whispered without looking up. She was slightly afraid he would be upset with her like her mum. For a second she let her eyes meet his before looking away. His eyes showed kindness and curiosity.

"What makes you think he did it?" Dr. Fox asked.

"He told me he did," Madison said in a monotone voice.

"And Noir never lies?" He asked.

"Well he does, but he didn't lie about this," Madison said stubbornly.

"Did he mention anything else around the same time?" He asked.

"He tried to change the topic to theatre," she said with a shrug.

"Perhaps he was hinting that he was acting," he suggested.

"That does sound like him," she stated as she tried to remember what he said in more detail.

"Madison do you remember what your dad was like before the accident?" He asked.

"He was... sad," Madison said with a bit of hesitation.

"If you can could you go into more detail?" Dr. Fox asked looking at his paper again.

"I don't know if sad is the right word. It was as though.... he was carrying a boulder and it was weighing him down, pushing him into the ground. He could hardly hold it up but he couldn't put it down. Some days it was too heavy for him to move or do anything. When Kane... died the boulder gained a hundred pounds dad could hardly stand. You're not saying he..." Madison said trailing off.

"He meant to send your mum a message but he never pressed send. Your mum could probably show you if you want proof," Dr. Fox explained.

Madison could hardly make sense of her thoughts. Her dad had always been different than anyone she knew, sad, behind a wall. Thinking back to what Noir had said it became clear that he had been lying. Madison's eyes were wide and her head rumbling with questions. Somewhere in her head she had known. Letting Noir take the blame gave her not only someone to blame but a way to avoid what she knew was true. Noir was a reason for it, he was the scapegoat. He happily took the role not knowing it made it easier for Madison. It gave her someone to blame.

"I believe you," Madison said in a wobbling voice.

"Madison you do know you can trust me right?" Dr. Fox asked.

"I don't have a reason to gift you my trust," Madison said her eyes blinking rapidly to avoid tears.

"Madison who do you trust?" He asked looking at her with a sad sort of look. Madison had seen the look before, at her dad's funeral. Actually she'd also seen it at her school among her peers for months after the accident.

"Alice has more friends than just me, she could leave me. Andrew doesn't believe me and he's more interested in spending time with Danny. My mum doesn't deserve my trust. I can't trust anyone. No one stands by me, I'm on my own," Madison stated, her voice dead.

"Your mum loves you Madison," Dr. Fox said looking up from his paper.

"She sure has a funny way of showing it," Madison muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Why don't you think she loves you?" Dr. Fox seemed genuinely curious.

"She doesn't trust me. After dad's death she's been... distant. I can't remember her telling me she loves me or even showing it," Madison explained.

"Why do you think she wants you coming here? Madison a good relationship takes two. She may be distant but I can't say you aren't as well. Madison your mum has you coming here because she wants to help and understand. I do admit she doesn't show her love in an easy way to see.

Madison a table can stand with three legs, now getting a table with one leg to stand is more difficult. What I'm saying is rebuilding a family has to be mutual. Your mum is trying. Just give her a chance," Dr. Fox said in a soft-spoken way.

She had no ideas for what to say. Could he be right? Madison had to admit her mum sending her here to cause her harm seemed quite stupid now that she thought about it. It was impossible to deny the fact she'd also been distant, but not as distant as her mum. Perhaps her mum was trying and perhaps she could give it some effort. Then again Madison wasn't open to such things when her mum didn't believe her.

"We need to discuss the injury on your cheek. You need to tell me what happened," Dr. Fox's tone immediately gained a sense of focus.

"Noir scratched my face after I talked to Alice on the phone interrupting him. Well he was choking me so I stabbed his hand with my pencil and then he clawed my face. I haven't seen him since," she explained.

"Madison," Dr. Fox seemed to be warning her.

"If you didn't want the truth you shouldn't have asked," After she said that she stood. Dr. Fox was shocked by her sudden movement. With a glare Madison turned and walked out the door. Once she left the room she ran, she ran as if her life depended on it. She heard footsteps of likely her mum and the workers chasing her. Without stopping she ran down the sidewalks dancing around people before she came to the woods.

She had lost those chasing her pretty quickly. She mentally thanked Andrew for racing with her so often. With one final glance backwards she entered the woods. She'd walked the trails before but the impending darkness changed the mood drastically. She walked through the woods alert and silent like a fox stalking prey. On second thought perhaps Madison was the prey.