204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gf8kk2DDm
My cold skin was slick with morning dew when I pulled myself from it to start the hunt for a trinket to present Missy with. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD9Jpislbl
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiOM3MiPGv
I still had some time before her voice would call on the wind. I'd find something beautiful to add to the collection I had already bestowed her with. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPMwQaK2uW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3zEkySkPD
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8Pi8cnxkn
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7ncjuUsQj
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk2I8o5Yks
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAqFtZOksu
My heart thudded with excitement when I pulled the straw free to place it down. I turned my attention to the plastic lid that I flipped over and sliced with my claw into segments. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujQqpNnhw3
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1qQbEn7Tg
Ripping the paper cup along its length, I tore it into smaller segments, each with poked holes in the middle, so I could split it like I had done with the cup and fold in the rough edges. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqjwH3ePQU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Iyy83Bi7A
I pushed and crimped the paper until all the layers came together on the plastic bottom. I forced the straw back through, squashing the top into a ball. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJgLFWvzQE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqukih6hNw6
I held up my flower with pride, twirling its torn petals to see it present the flashes of colour that had been printed on the cup. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM4fawieUK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXOxhjnvcz
Would she like it? Should I make more? 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8puDCZqBK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5psKkysOw5
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcor4n1Jk8H
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Eh14jVOlZ
One would do then. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQAXXNN7gU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyt72Gnkmz
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnEbJ36Yp2
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPK9q90ObL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNYqh1Mv9v
"You be good to her, Soup!" he warned me with a raise of the paper while I continued past him "don't be giving her trouble, you hear?" 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvfaPgyHJS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE55pYFwT40
I caught sight of Missy's red hair stuffed beneath her blue helmet outside her house. She had on a dark red trench coat over her yellow dress that tried to peek beneath it. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvARBB8SuQ0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLJ1pQBnv3
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RVvOVhNFF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2rhlEOmwt
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zu16ZB6rO
Everything inside me fell at the sight of her laying down a bowl of water and thin vegetable soup in the grass she stomped down. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdP9nkMkYQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCgJo6muUg
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYoUnVsL6g
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCBc9g4h8r
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOrERVdx8n
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbHISWuELD
I lifted up the flower to her when she sat on her scooter to heave it forwards off the stand. The whole thing lurched but she wrestled it under control so she could start it up. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofjlW2QfXt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTjGv2VVet
"Thank you" she smiled warmly to it, her eyes softening at the gesture "I'll hang onto this, OK? Maybe the people at the big city will like it?" 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Eg8e7YYe5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Op0hnB2U
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum9Ddt2V1c
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcLotFzCfM
"Got to go!" Missy panicked and shoved the flower down the side of the parcels when she looked ahead to see the train racing along the tracks "love you! Be good!" 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTtZom1byO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMygKqtUyO
She took off as fast as her scooter would allow her. It cut a path through the grass and struggled to keep up as the train easily graced the beginning of the bridge and powered on. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t7qx2DlEU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JX43igkhX
I watched her speed for it desperately. Inside, I was hoping she would be just a little bit too late so she would have to come home and enjoy her time with me. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMIe9CIRuk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNCymTnjXG
I saw her skid when she turned the corner to fly across the tracks and rush to park up her scooter while the train pulled into the station with a huff of its brakes. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr8L0Cl4NB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hna3vEzK4
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBbzPenGm7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPONaxefZr
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4JMpaO02r
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5mxtR0oUO
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZfCQTL782
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx7ifqs21K
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ864GuQMeBF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVdGCugdsM
Her hand hung out the window, waving for a little while longer, until it was pulled back inside by the momentum speeding her off into the distance. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXojB47J02J
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAnSAvfVyZ
I didn't chase her today. I just sat there with the watery soup, trying to drag out its bitter flavour that was far too diluted to even be called food. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvHZhHSshb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOcTyhzQp0
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFtP4s5xAz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yX4OTl8OE
She'd be gone for hours. Maybe I could do something helpful and try to find a way to trickle some extra funds into her pocket? 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuVoH4IRCl
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaFoGn8Mm4
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNG6hv5SH2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4DgXFgOsk
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKnJGCFVb2
It'd be a nice surprise to have a warm house and hot food. She could even believe Bartie had waddled his way down here to do it for her. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQugV82rjiW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfK3fxF9Om
A stretch, but a believable one. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3BiJ1qWAD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0yRzEN5qo
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlQyDKGHqM
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jCfuLOcg4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeu7BOerrU
I clambered over the sink piled with dirty dishes and pots beneath the window, hooking my toes in the basin on my awkward crawl through. I desperately gripped onto the stone bench so I didn't slice my feet on the knives laid across it and go tumbling to the ground. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLZwnn8IoQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr9Q11pra9
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ152XHfZAcW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wux7OcH01
She really must have been in a rush. The pot from last night was here too with some water in the bottom to soak off the residue that clung to the water like a film. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajtoUiaBEt
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMWxB9425I
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJmc3mgcGE
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKDerjlVTb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Ardcy6av
I'd be better to do this in my human form. I could even give it some care too with a hot shower and proper food from Missy's fridge. She wouldn't notice if a little of it went missing. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKCPn4vcEn
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcntWAqFQDa
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fBOJmroNV
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNyiC1R95t
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnbS8X2sbG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmc4loaDJQ
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5W3APCbpW
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eYW1TFM6T
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ523P8M5qI1
The back door had another to the right of it where I finally found the bathroom and the shower piled with all sorts of scrubs, lotions, and soaps.
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lvh6wnO93
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1sINfTeYc
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr0W3JaHuO
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoxMLfSwLr
My black hair was saved from most of the neglect since it fell out when I took my wild form. Having it sprout back so rapidly made it burn at my scalp I tried to calm with cooling shampoos and conditioners. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid8GzCcZ2I
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMfTD9uFR0
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmhwBeqIRP
The dark blue towel I buffed my body with became my new skirt I tied around my waist to have some sort of decency during the housework. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWbGWWrt3K
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3bpImZsZH
I flipped on the radio she had nestled on a cupboard in the kitchen and felt the energy of the music flood through me. It motivated me to hunt through the cupboards for spray and cloth so I could start on the splatter on the walls. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnzOM71VnE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGtR4pv4aH
I drained the old water to fill the sink and pick through the dangerous submerged mess beneath the bubbles clouding them. I bopped to the contagious tunes, tapping my feet happily while seeing things slowly come together. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmglzNEmB3a
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4vEfibFhz
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaQt9HxxC0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQqnjqR0AK
The coffee table had the magazines across it restacked into the corner. The empty cup of coffee dropped into the sink, and the ceramic coasters of mosaic landscapes were replaced in their holder. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor6DyQeW57
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXZhOJkQMh
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU9g3VZQ1f
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1lCmqIlWj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzZ3vUDQCr
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6jRVaeNKa
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSezvOdaPc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYJdJC0WvI
Hosing them down filled me with satisfaction. Plucking out the grass and baby thistles gave her beloved vegetables a new hope in their raised beds I skimmed through for the biggest heads I could pluck. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRAFyXhJuN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr0Qf7x1pc
The garden was still in early stages of replanting. I only had a few carrots and potatoes to heap into the basket looped over my arm. The pumpkins tangled in a growth of leaves were far too small to rip from the stems, and the new row of corn was barely breaking the surface of the dirt. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mNENNLFuI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVErdBZFgeq
Missy was also trying to grow a little bush of blueberries in the corner. There were strawberries showing promise through their nibbled leaves I lifted up to inspect. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviIM28DuFY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVrFXyGvOa
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7uD6dCUWF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdsgqeKBNC
The new vegetables made a nice pile on the benchtop while I fished through the fridge to find the soups Missy had stored into reusable containers. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajkN4RmeIr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHGKbO17dA
The watery vegetable one could be poured into the nice beef one to bulk it out and diminish the poor taste. With all the flavour in the beef one, the added vegetables would give it more heart. The fresh ones I had washed and cut could help stretch it further for her without destroying her hard work.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Lp0sd9Naz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKs7PhQeVv
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7OqCiuP36
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkdXMVkUfp
A few herbs from the window wouldn't hurt. I threw them in too and increased the heat before continuing my cleaning of the house. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTgBemwMY0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJXrxHzG35
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP3c7k9CTr
The combined living area looked homely and inviting. On the coffee table I had even placed the baby thistles pulled from the garden into a little brown bottle I found sitting beside her bin. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoJnefNtVj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4HwuBgqUK
Somehow, it worked. The spikes of the thistle leaves and the peeking purple fluffed at the top of the close heads added a rugged beauty to the wooden table. It wasn't soft wildflowers, but it was something I was sure she'd appreciate nether less. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkvfUB6x9Y
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7g2O7T8By
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o7MrIDuoM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvprhMoci7b
The flavour was as hearty as the original batch with the added rosemary clinging to the beef and the basil wrapped into the multitude of vegetables buried beneath the brown broth. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQCZcTi5de
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItt0RZ9Kum
Missy will love this. There wasn't a hint of the sadness that was the soup she had thrown together today. She'd come home to something that would warm her soul as much as mine. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm04KbhIBy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOanIwB10YA
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFCQmJkzaD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nDvHhyViQ
It'd be better if she came through those doors, expecting me to be here. She'd smile at the sight of me, and I'd go over to kiss her cheek before asking her how her day was. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsUDxNjyGS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8rRFyzRPf
Maybe she'd have stories of the big city to tell? She did like this one man who pretended to be a statue in the square. It fascinated her how resolved he was amongst all the faces refusing to look at him. Missy liked to throw change into his hat just to see him smile. She understood his struggle a little too well. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkXQAVoNrf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63yH2g5nzH
She could come speeding home, screaming out my name and jumping around the house that she sold every one of her dresses today. We'd hold each other and celebrate with a lavish cake from the bakery. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjDbCiOcWB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BltAz8Nds
But I had to be gone before she saw me here. I wouldn't get to see her reaction or comfort her if it all went wrong. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k2h4xBpHa
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8RjtlNyHR
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLgxXx7wrw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh89VQHQsOc
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8gB1owxDW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCCDUiooCA
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjuA5VI3ov
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC3MaVo23V
I got to my feet and was on my way to the window when I saw the train barrel past with its lights illuminating my frozen stance. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe4yb1YvHs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws2olEH2sw
Was it that time already?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpnPXYXWdt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22sZCsGqqz
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfJyiCS8xP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyU7mmnpet
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk03iZpXKb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRp0xc8U6J
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQTm577dEF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gYMC1mR58
The front door slammed before I skidded to the oven to rip out a container from the cupboard below to tip the soup into, slopping some on the bench. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqLj7QzlOC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVuC6UYyTR
The plastic wrap I slapped over it wasn’t going to seal the steam trying to pry it up on its way into the fridge. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVjNLOkAXd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rDfpO1JzU
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHNP4Irv2Y
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qtxXv1NzP
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzaKfpQE6V
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws35CT0hCM
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG11I3WMZw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiH5xcBKDK
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Z6tOcI2r
I still clutched the pot that I filled with water when I saw light flood the grass and Missy's scooter chop a new path through it towards the fence. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERDNekNRDN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDOLcby2K6
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBJmOmTLD4
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDKgs6BZjh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cLQzrSUWq
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTNSnUKwVG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSkJocxG8F
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN9EiOhMwT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBgIpAcFmA
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIod4oGpJ3z
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtMaMriks6
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHamw4G9KA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIUX9x98w5
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9oCUdUJpw
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx2TBNKAaL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSbPPqi9UH
The back door opened to a flood of light over my hunched frame. It had me squinting up to try and see Missy's body failing to block most of it.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOBQt9frMF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFgXHkyXVu
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz6YmIIDJq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wzNsfbqZL
"Soup?" 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxwdrrfrrl
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhDnYqpu8s
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TB15ioyiI
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXafDJDa0lf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbDjhNrenF
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUzOj8KH42
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7sl9CVmKz
I wasn't still human, was I? 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD4qgtAjZC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTKX5DEYHs
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIDDuFZ2t6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm88I220sG
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomaQ1urov8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsOOXDyMm2
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLdqsO5dAE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzq2lZR6Ae
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAguLL5ueZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuSCwQZmtH
Missy crouched down and I could see the hem of her dress shaking under her red coat. Her eyes searched, trying to piece it all together. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ0041NghM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPv6oglGhd
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2schrgUK8A
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhKMlfLxH7
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXCHKWeYwh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2UJzu8BeG
"Did you...?" 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M9Z1nXP9Q
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmYyU2QPzf
She shuffled forth and I backed up, searching for an exit that wasn't blocked in by her fence ringing the tiny yard dedicated to her garden I had ploughed through. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXrhJon8Yw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyVYR5y0G2
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63la83hZNb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm55psXQuu
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17Cy6Axi7l
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIe3gnVDxs
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41nqgcSjys
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJsDfNNmzF
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkNiqsfxfQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM96hkyRjhY
Missy backed up immediately when I darted around her and raced for the door. I hesitated on the front porch but saw her running after me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ36WcoJ3k
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdcODuAf5H
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuDY2i2CHk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9ypmN3TKq
No. She couldn't see me here. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu64mDnSKE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9c6VQABl4
I scrambled down the stairs as her feet pounded on the wood behind me and slithered through the tall grass to find refuge only a few paces away. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YPSxDfwCY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8SEQmrdQV
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhxUXJH802
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS9Ec0AEPL
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyXOrhoD4U
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEq6LB7zEG
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqQmvOVL0Y
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpjRpeBJx8
I wanted to comfort her but knew I couldn't. She was already suspicious of my presence and would confirm her own theories if I returned. I'd ruin it for the both of us. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCC4K7V5UP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Hy6KTwLR
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer9VbLhSC7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz7DpwBZyM
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwsSnoXbmI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEgY8TvFj0
I bolted for the tracks before she could try and call me back, keeping my eyes firmly on the safety of the bridge shrouded in darkness where I knew she wouldn't be able to reach me. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ThfD7ha4L
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOK12l9c6I
She would have a clear head tomorrow. She'd sleep on her silly stories and realise that I couldn't possibly have done all that; her simple pet. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyc6YWkLC4
She'd be happy, knowing that she would still have no burdens in her life, and things would go back to pleasant chit-chat over food together.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXxyzK4v2k
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsc48Ja7P6
It would be how it was.
