202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8yLaCo6Wy
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4amXZOXDxZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZsmm9Lxhi
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MLegC7ton
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9TtkPgTsF
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3i0s751h4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl1WHQX2Yu
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNXuroRTo5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Pr05uuRv
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7pTuYcHEW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6ByNMHJfa
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUi5Xa9kn5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xdX82lnUI
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG86xrQpDr0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFrO8hVOA7
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JTlbU4gRo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvBqYGxbxM
Would she like it? Should I make more? 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSrQ542hED
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSEtMrlSDA
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLdsYzDy9u
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAZ7WlZVVi
One would do then. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD3Ook2Gyj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0bEidZFDa
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg9cIb6CL8
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzB2VYrZub
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXLrW2f9eE
"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?" 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBItbWnNCl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJnJ2pgvWg
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B3UkoiXuR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2NS8nmrMr
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoXtFr7XUs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBSIwRczvs
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvMkwZdV3b
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJDuPeWI0l
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7GlkIkmO5
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKBgsTQMgX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVSrOwx5yR
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMxQ7V8omk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMMBgxfS5R
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJXhdk8in6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvDbKUiwx7
"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?" 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0z1vv82TD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoqXVZo3UY
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6zkfRr7i9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b1HTGu708
"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!" 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEUZJs0jGE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtb75RFyPE
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraPB82nb5D
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZeTWOxjc1
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWoDlJAJLH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMDb1eLvMI
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwqf8eIaOk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEybtFliyl
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbHcz1i60I
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SmJYSWNx6
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9mfJmFSiY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteLC6yW0Dl
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfIP659Tp7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyHTCRQebL
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSZNFZK9b2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeLkC6PVKU
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ78HZ24gx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ajOzuyCC6
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeeeLPNYwL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLYH04wjbV
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxAx8qI0Gk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsCgBX48B4
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? 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QSGkPiJbh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmS11tbHBI
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmJIkZ6qdo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbztgQv1YEP
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6zPfbigP2
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5yVT9sdCW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh38woEo1C
A stretch, but a believable one. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubwRC5YjHm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZNoVY8445
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvzRfYNMVP
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpUijoU2Gr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNXYKMnEyr
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytCTDXUe1Z
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkp3giwiht
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUpXlflB7t
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkaVkGKvXR
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaHLsuH3d0
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOqDpsoB5X
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7qQom1yH6
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi07ZM7TmXd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF71wZU5lU
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTXneb5D4O
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLPOdG2BG5
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSQjHpVYja
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fl4BPJx0m
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hd2PZgHI3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkJKmsPXOt
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxHsIejFGa
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRRqInM8bL
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTjUeRaH4H
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.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZn0ortf1X
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLClBIiiEt
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnIPwBlufN
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T1ugj2j0U
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ2UjSsttM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJVel8oQDY
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TiaPWoj6f
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvYYP6FL0I
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndecG9zYBY
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjA7vskXUf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuumb9DRjy
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhhtLotSYa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOCOJtoPoT
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4fBZuVcdW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurbBqbnSwW
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMXy5l3sb5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCJHURYYGc
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9de55kzIPQ
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiERGoHM1vr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomnu5mhMPU
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWNfrrFld1
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtPfCL1iiA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW5KfmRLCy
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q0pG97XSg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnOdHGTNqx
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EPf0a7Pv0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B4rSikVOW
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNcYXQo3s4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvkjujswyK
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczVTNYHTIm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5c6xoLUjb
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbHpjTl3Ou
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGqAaCTfir
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AlqQhXNWV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUU4OD1fBP
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jFBeinPIY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBaham76a9
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NxoIveEUB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlQPJ1V9iB
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gk3iA1tWx
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EKmAj8Hps
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCL8gD99fW
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jN9S5lAun
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzKEbFGcVz
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoPXiJEtBJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvepdyBwryi
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClQV1N3sAm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtkgblxiNu
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtciBoT2xCW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIMOWLRioM
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmmK5IPSjR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nnbc30aVe
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi8G5VSoyW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9dRAXJFm6
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRDZTYiLGz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32wwfbTuNo
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85YxapVmwb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaq4IIINBv
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi0qZMZwW6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOcSuN4AGf
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZSsGsjFyr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEwZQ5W0hQ
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFZHMMO9QQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH1RCiuSqP
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yQu8ywSoZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ314RpL69Ff
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh52UjVbZx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykLIlLwzOE
Was it that time already?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEfxLMJXHx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6bv3VWkdy
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn5vsZGu0T
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cTDOJ2GAV
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2TjukgL3P
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCanyObOP8
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LgBZLoB7g
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vh5C0Ddk5
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bM4GrNgRD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZYftqmXcC
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpLFgilGfl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNQu1bC1Op
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroNR7nYwcn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7WjJCUKus
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLupuLUWWDp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptlIhcRw7c
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFKXCswblw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fzn2ok7o0
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsen2SiFZm
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJd9JSsefa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddUcAVD6wZ
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMUBvyG3Ln
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTJthCWrcG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77OpZs4ljE
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSVc86lleY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7LC1GP5FT
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyoySPuQX1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxduT8Dhtiz
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI4sphLNWA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QOp5RUOUS
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LRrpZMKU4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunNlcRM1Uj
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlqG77nFaQ
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkknvrIGcNP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vmv8ihJVS
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfXVGFpzWh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFJZMkycPJ
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcG9Dni2Ne
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNcaCqgycW
"Soup?" 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMvtXwg6I7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PgepueG3e
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYO328LOOZ
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k2StsitsR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmHGZQw4Zu
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfgfq2S4sg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNoMBAOQkY
I wasn't still human, was I? 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWrfSD3P6R
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8Q4UlS0DH
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo908apPT7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh7OHlWlrZ
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYRhH0Sjde
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8uqZHQN2K
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1JDB9sJGs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFvMWEEiim
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb1k5XCtgV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KWBQ9b7Pd
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKoUKrrICQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTtkwR59Nn
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6V8171ayj
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0GtDVrDU2
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnaRFTCy7g
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmdt0gNlWK
"Did you...?" 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W4X4vqt94
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f5IIpOOA8
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQucaajsDHV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9erYz1TaY
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kLt1e5mH5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZTSDpyIFk
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlqCWmh4NV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBbuzKyzSI
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqMDoopO0i
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNx4GxIclM
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4fXYyLKfi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipxUkKCPgw
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUVABURiEM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTST08If9c
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO6O5QZROW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dGKxtC6R8
No. She couldn't see me here. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbK2OOhshC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeEExY6kiM
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlGSzQWGJE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4WLNmqXsA
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqb3EqCwIC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf1jc0nJtZ
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n3pUNWjhD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P0yZ6zNrG
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvgpvhMuTa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JXS3Q3mDC
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6CMUxBYJt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp9eOfUt6B
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhFwESKMtb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpIa7dZA7E
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKfr7XS4xt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDm9bQzc8f
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UsdFywjWr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQf2yZygFN
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. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBmnrF5IJy
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSrCKdqwpa
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZiaZ5H5ae
It would be how it was.
