123Please respect copyright.PENANAZeNdXHTm7q
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAuIvjBPzIzG
123Please respect copyright.PENANAcFUKvZ3VEv
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAfTlLku8GT3
123Please respect copyright.PENANAyQMI8TKx4i
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAxR6nxeHUZE
123Please respect copyright.PENANAn0Z0UMTi3l
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAEdi9JTYNQ4
123Please respect copyright.PENANAWUgEdmSv8R
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAzTl8f8Bgxk
123Please respect copyright.PENANAmYVljuLDP4
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAsapeFJEKLb
123Please respect copyright.PENANA7jhfjN7is6
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAZKAwircO0X
123Please respect copyright.PENANAoC6NgzS13I
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANADWjQFWL5dH
123Please respect copyright.PENANAsrTA3wUYOi
Would she like it? Should I make more? 123Please respect copyright.PENANATe7kHBpWhv
123Please respect copyright.PENANA4SnItZ1PJI
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 123Please respect copyright.PENANALDsymVdnIj
123Please respect copyright.PENANAcR4548qqZU
One would do then. 123Please respect copyright.PENANADX5nX55rWb
123Please respect copyright.PENANAiI3FrSLBuD
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAtpOHAEWNqE
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAoHcKIJPXnv
123Please respect copyright.PENANAkXivkcChw1
"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?" 123Please respect copyright.PENANACwYUp7TYzf
123Please respect copyright.PENANAORTOXWBbXP
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAHSrszrSCUG
123Please respect copyright.PENANAOIhZuHp1lo
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAyN70RgNhEq
123Please respect copyright.PENANAOUEETzZ0Gz
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 123Please respect copyright.PENANARdHdTo826E
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAMFIzSl3zmk
123Please respect copyright.PENANAUlQhE4BtZS
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."123Please respect copyright.PENANA90Ap6E7sPf
123Please respect copyright.PENANAVewQr82cqV
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAQKJ610OE8t
123Please respect copyright.PENANA1dOHnjbk13
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA8JtWoDKcKZ
123Please respect copyright.PENANAuIftw7CpwF
"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?" 123Please respect copyright.PENANAVnJEaxYsJR
123Please respect copyright.PENANAdj2R7SxORl
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAIcpmSo2qoW
123Please respect copyright.PENANABgqLdT3pcV
"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!" 123Please respect copyright.PENANAHeTihQ9F4C
123Please respect copyright.PENANA9E6xXvyRrm
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA6aXJveXiRa
123Please respect copyright.PENANAkHZOwefH2b
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAxiKey3Wcwo
123Please respect copyright.PENANAZHTvSdUjGs
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAcT4aAoXxzX
123Please respect copyright.PENANAmOtIRzOLYN
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA5C0vpwf9CV
123Please respect copyright.PENANAKp0zSgnSTI
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAbqPIYGGocl
123Please respect copyright.PENANAY2L15j23bo
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAWpOyupvvuc
123Please respect copyright.PENANAuehdcmPMUW
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 123Please respect copyright.PENANAFoaicglG9e
123Please respect copyright.PENANANfj3gHfRdu
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAsQMKeTiQiQ
123Please respect copyright.PENANAK2WLNXBh52
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA1z0C9mAUoC
123Please respect copyright.PENANApPKinBZZo3
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 123Please respect copyright.PENANARQ5SlcVFEz
123Please respect copyright.PENANA19ZuJyxJjz
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? 123Please respect copyright.PENANAKpUMmvvLcR
123Please respect copyright.PENANAqoFMwqomt6
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.123Please respect copyright.PENANAnU5Wi1vELc
123Please respect copyright.PENANAa8OHpetRLy
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAXdjidrZ1LA
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANASPNkgCjXKA
123Please respect copyright.PENANAQbPm75ZVtI
A stretch, but a believable one. 123Please respect copyright.PENANARtAU2j9fxf
123Please respect copyright.PENANAMzamDj0wJ4
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAxUnhqH25Bb
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAIVvkZONZap
123Please respect copyright.PENANAsgg8GlRUKP
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAl8HLJyOCWj
123Please respect copyright.PENANA2f7lZy9Hys
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAWdZCKcMsPr
123Please respect copyright.PENANAP4MzhCe17i
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAeHByXZJm49
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 123Please respect copyright.PENANASqJgoXbvgJ
123Please respect copyright.PENANAv1BOX7Z5FP
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAOby4lEzyGD
123Please respect copyright.PENANA0eTiokp0Sn
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAiyiYQZFOK0
123Please respect copyright.PENANADYgpJ7RKTl
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAhLbBmUaR3h
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAXjrmuojKHB
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAaKgoDR4xJD
123Please respect copyright.PENANAqA5qCEcdnb
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAGcgbXPiJYz
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAOufhYpYcvq
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAo2ZQZ7rTpU
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.
123Please respect copyright.PENANA5GIUzpghKD
123Please respect copyright.PENANA5PLfDQ0Q4t
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAPDhSr2l0iT
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 123Please respect copyright.PENANARLBnrymJSJ
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAIbZIP4XV0q
123Please respect copyright.PENANA3KFipsuYGC
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAQrKeGOvKLV
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAft6iWxplRU
123Please respect copyright.PENANALDmDMkph6k
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANASLlZy2FXws
123Please respect copyright.PENANAnegKEueAm8
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA0pF8eDsVNv
123Please respect copyright.PENANAwvk4W8DKQl
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA1hdQZNn8ZB
123Please respect copyright.PENANAasDym9UXbf
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA5lG8N7mD8z
123Please respect copyright.PENANA4fdSSnpe6i
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAV1eYCebo9l
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAxRAsq98OZP
123Please respect copyright.PENANA6wvXkd4Rcw
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAVCslrO1pAU
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAAKI3rMKjt6
123Please respect copyright.PENANAv5FpCNYnao
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAZFuPQtkOrC
123Please respect copyright.PENANAu7DY04wt96
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANArLtqrdwy6B
123Please respect copyright.PENANAklOetCl2Ny
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAT1lvAf2vQK
123Please respect copyright.PENANAlKEITrUuLW
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAbmZYbu0v1e
123Please respect copyright.PENANArTjm50gubf
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAxrTeIu4CVV
123Please respect copyright.PENANAtTErdrGGCh
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.123Please respect copyright.PENANAn3pQ4nxNla
123Please respect copyright.PENANA5jkBWY1qRU
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAiC7OIMMf8E
123Please respect copyright.PENANATNXBdo8wV4
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAhDNoaAqweg
123Please respect copyright.PENANARZdKxAkPUA
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAUEiCArMFXf
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA8dEGkbdBmv
123Please respect copyright.PENANA2P4B8sZNaq
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANATaJDF1HXz6
123Please respect copyright.PENANAAWjkKohCd7
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAicP6wgQon5
123Please respect copyright.PENANATBKbPmIhwf
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAeadBPcB4FU
123Please respect copyright.PENANAoGGNh3ZGTh
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAmJzsgNLwL7
123Please respect copyright.PENANAz2xMsw9agH
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 123Please respect copyright.PENANADEnGczleux
123Please respect copyright.PENANAOUlcQlfFwn
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA1aFijjLXHf
123Please respect copyright.PENANA5kxjMVgtun
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAx7krC0YDLx
123Please respect copyright.PENANAhvXg88HGjo
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAxhycvdjnut
123Please respect copyright.PENANAnc96SwjxuS
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANACmruvfWYYU
123Please respect copyright.PENANAIRbvHjtyLe
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAY5isDBk09F
123Please respect copyright.PENANAaRnwDNUELW
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA198kVinI5O
123Please respect copyright.PENANAgSaqUxgcBW
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 123Please respect copyright.PENANABz0k9MyFIX
123Please respect copyright.PENANALyGYAcvlOd
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA88s65txFiL
123Please respect copyright.PENANANX5HpeByIj
Was it that time already?123Please respect copyright.PENANAqusu5b8Je1
123Please respect copyright.PENANAN7hsE9cNr1
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAwH4iVUPcKg
123Please respect copyright.PENANAVDyUETql3H
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA4k21uyCrvE
123Please respect copyright.PENANAQrckckeyKB
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAw2ngwZ12Rz
123Please respect copyright.PENANAQURAGJ8A0u
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAZI9vYBazhj
123Please respect copyright.PENANAttZgGONyVH
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAbnelDG85KP
123Please respect copyright.PENANAHxTxv2agWC
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 123Please respect copyright.PENANADTCmO9MpeI
123Please respect copyright.PENANALeCE7EHGVs
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 123Please respect copyright.PENANADcYvZhCOVR
123Please respect copyright.PENANAnDXE3bUgQG
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAVIJ5X2YiH6
123Please respect copyright.PENANASSDqEAXB51
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAHUk5eOZnK2
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANANk7s6t8rCs
123Please respect copyright.PENANADUd5d2Chwm
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAhtEoCbagCl
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 123Please respect copyright.PENANASkLEqfruZP
123Please respect copyright.PENANA8WtMSwmgsE
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAS0Pft380IW
123Please respect copyright.PENANA5PbTO5I7BI
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAqOMmC5XWhC
123Please respect copyright.PENANAx2DsN73wIi
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 123Please respect copyright.PENANAp7tLc7O35V
123Please respect copyright.PENANAXDyRxYPLQ6
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAut9o0Tzs7h
123Please respect copyright.PENANAkmAbpzn5Go
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAt88oExGagI
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAdZiWq2oMRN
123Please respect copyright.PENANAjDaOF0mc5K
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.123Please respect copyright.PENANAxzXqSnvrAA
123Please respect copyright.PENANApO33NLkevK
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA596tvKwQaq
123Please respect copyright.PENANAotJGZF9wHG
"Soup?" 123Please respect copyright.PENANAZkxGuE6yEi
123Please respect copyright.PENANAe9MthffbCf
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAFGzyNdpiF7
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAUxEqfFSkIf
123Please respect copyright.PENANAQnXRlZOiFr
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA9ATauHTxhO
123Please respect copyright.PENANADE1qP0cYDn
I wasn't still human, was I? 123Please respect copyright.PENANAtXG6kgNM40
123Please respect copyright.PENANAg36ndrbwxg
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA4JqcfApfzR
123Please respect copyright.PENANAhhW1kFwn21
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAmj5LVeNoi9
123Please respect copyright.PENANAO34PZ4ve95
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 123Please respect copyright.PENANAkKktOISfRe
123Please respect copyright.PENANAZO1XB94KGo
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAYndC2N62jT
123Please respect copyright.PENANANtHmeH5535
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAZYufxZBnYQ
123Please respect copyright.PENANAjd3HVQpZDb
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAJaQD209Iw4
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA9NqNM2P8hS
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAsRZng6SqBP
123Please respect copyright.PENANAvwn1cI5X0h
"Did you...?" 123Please respect copyright.PENANAROm9LOgrmD
123Please respect copyright.PENANA4QLjOf32fT
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAwAuSxT4J7o
123Please respect copyright.PENANAHvB11HF6LB
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 123Please respect copyright.PENANASxDwSEJdbB
123Please respect copyright.PENANAnB3xzvO0ZO
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAmwbUheJyGi
123Please respect copyright.PENANA548kQaDZbq
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAUM1S6sIcTu
123Please respect copyright.PENANARHxumS0noE
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 123Please respect copyright.PENANALhNlBM8l2g
123Please respect copyright.PENANAuYq3YuCgBa
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.123Please respect copyright.PENANAsMbNtqZr3f
123Please respect copyright.PENANABEtP1YJywI
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 123Please respect copyright.PENANATUh5oq90YL
123Please respect copyright.PENANAjKkW4VQ68g
No. She couldn't see me here. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAAtktp8GhIh
123Please respect copyright.PENANAZrtAjleB60
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANA6YQfeYX5tO
123Please respect copyright.PENANAVYnMVXi2kQ
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 123Please respect copyright.PENANArUuLYzj92q
123Please respect copyright.PENANAbZ1MTGnqii
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 123Please respect copyright.PENANAhphuDo5xIy
123Please respect copyright.PENANAhAMFLW06Ri
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 123Please respect copyright.PENANApMfC6Cr71u
123Please respect copyright.PENANAgqzkhlEyxN
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAgx6MoEzG4Q
123Please respect copyright.PENANAC1BStNsgcF
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 123Please respect copyright.PENANACvrBquDe5S
123Please respect copyright.PENANAirFemwOQJ8
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 123Please respect copyright.PENANASlg6gxozLJ
123Please respect copyright.PENANAuFh5nBjkFa
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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAoy3hUOvoww
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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. 123Please respect copyright.PENANArWPrNT3XD9
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.123Please respect copyright.PENANAjbUnjHxX2x
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 123Please respect copyright.PENANAnjwXtGMhpK
It would be how it was.