144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdRYAzpuOc
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NJiHcjhCv
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfYmVCtbLA
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rj6yzTCwT
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyrZCYGFUr
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP2a4HclgP
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fwkCHsR99
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbz8Uiwf8u
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8Nk5O8Nhs
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1JSOt9qTz
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Pdxcj9Yc
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrOvnjH0KT
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCtXjfnxm7
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0IQSKmw72
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XyTqCdATE
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXJeOYZurU
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyWWGTvy06
Would she like it? Should I make more? 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL032opTHW
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwvDNKvWn4
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn8dg3HKst
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqhIBWgqyN
One would do then. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP8C4cMWRu
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZIFerCh5f
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRUfJJl1u0
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqBnIkeWZ1
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv9PPVM4Ls
"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?" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzacVjERGVP
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv49LrwFJVb
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpuVzmSkTV
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzAXTtBh0s
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5l8Bz2bDj
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivpGRlLmGo
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJjSMGtCnS
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8iXUyFgZd
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiTHaC6C3U
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7ezYBCgwe
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwfNrSiu2j
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkr7DvjgRs
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx4n6DyvHE
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjufJw4Rz7O
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12ZfOtGXMM
"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?" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeayYKU1Bg
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDqTsK6hOC
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeXTKSGe2y
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKDOM6w5hc
"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!" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC4rD2MHJM
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibViBbyCiN
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR2S1mBN6s
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMA6GgSppw
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk8iff3Mar
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOFi18Sa6D
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C26Gem9Eq
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzUlX6FuTF
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3bIwsJCfP
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCmn6sjnQb
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WUTbGcWK8
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMZZqmhdJX
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpMd7iq8Rd
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lhrcSHils
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSffVmkCrv
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh24iYjUqZa
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO0xHUJ3yi
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOAZg0OmwH
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPSjcKLtZp
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXrPSX4zQP
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEgKEV7Wpx
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtunzRevqxY
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? 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G4RPTJPBd
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvPBMBddjL
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2xCykldHB
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWnrYledIP
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsapamGoWY
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO7odOJcEp
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUuSgLzloK
A stretch, but a believable one. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueR0gHjyQH
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHzmdFBs1t
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaYggwFGWP
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhR9PcTAUY
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mvDAeIhLy
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPpEhCQX3n
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v73v0mBvZ
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9caqnJF7D
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrft39Kwar
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlQpL3YmVv
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5h4XyoJ3b
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEEXV2lZ6g
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xuIAoUHwh
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfQ88K4Ffb
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmh10XpV7m
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWTup2Fx0C
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohj7r98gVi
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h41NxqSnU
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa95ax2OqL
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ405KjFex6y
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRxO16T1Hx
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLKt2Sxglp
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhEzFGBfpv
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzInA0MkBSd
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA546cqoNqI
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhJn2ofy3t
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWtYh78wvv
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbOGYob8tY
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3DjARiMPe
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpCdCpNfqP
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9oxHKxvCf
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH7EJ4PDe1
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefwiFYns5T
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdnjLEbLI6
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvnqlvR9gF
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuyRRrXIBg
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yQW6LeAt9
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf55zlYFGiz
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUPrd5Apre
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ48Rii7bIq
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIucREuKDG9
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr68bFQplZ5
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM54VA3Ih7
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1sss0hkCg
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtLeNlimF7
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBSk8apmJX
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRJzN1sgU2
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQEAx2Bywc
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsZTJGBLIB
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu3atHun0L
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NQxWlBpJs
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BQyaoYzdX
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMaR5HuqSt
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9QEGPcsbh
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAajaBtFkBO
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8Yh82FFGs
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXMvej6Ox3
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEQZY34lic
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKrk1b0auW
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJIIphzrv6
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgpqffXRnt
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkN7M0zw30
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpUFbXqoxN
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBi4oMWeDO
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxomQpsFWaD
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB63K42qDYV
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1C8XRqGl8
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vIuA0GvQt
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8jSF11Fd5
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfJqdcwSSP
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KiWCZzIls
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOkGFljdG9
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqsZ3jBVgN
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssfkvxWo5U
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRG2HK9WGs
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFUPJj8n67
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenlG9XmZxX
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcz57hnbtF
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR9WF1NFl0
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zMnq1Du4S
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL9Qdkntif
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjesMloBX0
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas8Avg859Y
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpNAExNRDZ
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lTFpEfAAJ
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkX8PF59Ah
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlehsSSZ6Rl
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB27vSblErY
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH6HmIrs4J
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z1avVXca8
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeEqhhTmEM
Was it that time already?144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6LCLlwMXM
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArkvBKdugh
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iTcjjLHlF
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln56lM3yH0
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJjI8c3u88
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN64Fu7TgAS
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuJ02yt6l6
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv1cNTqOI5
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqScpakkGyk
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fo9UoXkta
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG84aoMQEsi
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnlE4pMuPi
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTPwL6eAmC
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIcEnMAh0W
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBKlei17I8
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtQMwDaDJg
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrRyRKzgDB
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5PiqzALYE
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2tcEq8oAY
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTOenxsk6I
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8TeFYTm5L
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNGh1VmuYV
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g9u04f19T
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDNUz5jVrN
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqRkSU6c0o
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JBmgjACUl
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wT7aZc2dJ
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PqnHcCMgA
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1xbdxRdWC
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE7wPmry8W
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BH0pO8NLg
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAygI5jbjD
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWRjHW1slH
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95cdaDHW85
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmvMS8xrsg
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3efnMxcMD
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviHkkbup2b
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4YhkMMbqp
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk6M9ol9l1
"Soup?" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6sGHATSv6
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28KqzY1kUF
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6nLV7vv2P
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtZXQRTdbt
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMuFJaBNak
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwno2MGpemd
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO86g6gcjY
I wasn't still human, was I? 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K9rTR8eMX
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrv1EzbQpL
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHVhb9jQ79
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz11njPb8s
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyQzL5y2h6
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMoU1ZUrCb
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsE4m9Qf0S
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0ZYiEnFzO
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpi1Byz0RV
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErdjQiFaAy
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLPS1hLp4X
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgExnqQSNs
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb9iTwhmCq
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFNRzmLmfv
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBJaU5FHHn
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAFp8kI8TT
"Did you...?" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqvjKtkSwv
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms1aJ60owu
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcEmFgC3nT
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGYu3hwrpC
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlVcPVNNpG
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGHlgFlZqY
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WE7cLcgAe
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbZ8YdJTUA
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKWI0LLIfb
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuyAiQ9XlU
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qd7tuI3Qk
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBsuvSOOFC
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHacdhK7DZt
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmDcMaVCyC
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV9WDGM8fv
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9ptrN7PbV
No. She couldn't see me here. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS78Vmm5eFL
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqR4qCPMn4
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuvk6gRzW5
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyvmNX2XaD
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUigqwVE5gJ
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCm19C3GBt
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wc8TGWttW
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPadj2hMnS
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpZFPtkYUd
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimiwT8HdZU
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZAUrSIBxl
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aLTuGI4KP
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4IQT1MWRi
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkynFHDQr0B
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBo3jEkCye
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrXo7FHehJ
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaZoTKChCc
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3mM6uSx9W
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. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqJCWx8QlJ
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.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0atDmTGNim
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhWCJQBz9U
It would be how it was.
