201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmEZATsg9J
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVXtplKR9C
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAYHlO0VND
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8DBIHwa6W
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyLJH17XQ7
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkDTfvtaq4
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDj3n3P7Pv
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFG2H3o61O
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2HJBvqeKG
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTowQdFAY7W
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcMVBDBOy0
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhudmOZeWyO
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMDp8LHBx4
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrYsYEI32J
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN2IiKcdU1
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSojyyIov4G
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDG4TYF3b5
Would she like it? Should I make more? 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1iQp5Xssq
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkHgIRoxb0
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmevAYg7Pv
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqp7fBALFM
One would do then. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOvWgeiBop
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphKRybCblJ
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlkB3d4Y9C
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7X1g9nd40
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8VBkSTLVK
"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?" 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoRDJCYHvj
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOAFmlRPTq
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2YVZgBh7v
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLXoAsy7EX
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi7M9xlrt3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHjYYbMSMM
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrGH6itYAI
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP0jTSEksj
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZmexP3nQO
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL6BCP34hf
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2MhCnDyfP
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjk8Qc1HB9
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxN69JLFyJ
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiLtjSGjXJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1wcLQNH6W
"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?" 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMZoeatYMb
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggFSItPFU7
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c7oY7jrUk
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUzyMk8Vfh
"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!" 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU56j3YQpiP
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vypEIeUaj
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOpWCDZte8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Oq5bVPv6V
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT0PaavMyR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFasHWyzxU
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZbtZKXCtI
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX51lJPKGV4
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj96wKK734M
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEz5wBoMRq
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgO2ijoLTy
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnTOj24Rwi
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEsEB7S5rt
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU0Ca0A8fT
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnMB2Lj92Q
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOVjbjl0Hn
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBPuyzFrBX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgWNUL5LDM
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ACianGQIb
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZpL34CNrq
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P6T0r3ZMk
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0sLYeAkrA
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? 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5bJHOvLHP
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7fG76nVvb
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSLTyOLAEs
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OFcqeJ2ic
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ET6k1dRAb
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRsppwysvn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcElXrx7jr
A stretch, but a believable one. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3dszQlDjZ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV2IlZIfVs
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i4F2ZqNsq
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG788LgEPD
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ64Nq9jaY
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl98wTsyE7H
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb4vditE3a
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtphGC9XYH
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKztQWTLBcm
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7NAQcbS45
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNpoSxymmF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo1xEkRZ2q
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrK0XOZuh8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1Ci0D5Ukr
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiyiAU65CY
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEmBvVl2MP
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuRTVYiBC0
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpxqHzPFtT
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa1vf2Ap0Q
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwsKVc4SeS
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I9ZL3iqqx
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPZ1O5xq3m
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYuiKkmXQJ
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.
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s4fkfO0pC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhmvqYfSSo
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRY17KqgWW
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTykDV4IGd
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlolS1F5dzD
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbbTxjOaLY
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYTK1xJHJU
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs1ENrqyzu
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLtco37De7
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG2UwctrFz
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MGYhpqNXz
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgup7n6HjN0
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDKxNWwqZc
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTHQVxGebh
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXHrbjlrmU
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvMphKmZ0r
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyhBAURde5
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqFFfTcsfN
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQxwZdynqT
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh7T3y9s5k
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLZjQdLy2u
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkDwBDd4sR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFTee0dT07
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjEQ8ChJ1u
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBnsZsnX3b
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux8SSc1ROi
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZPzJZ4x6Z
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziYMZ7eb1o
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKkesd3pXu
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwqtUFpiR9
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AvbQf2NK5
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPlfILB7pT
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBykUi4Znb
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9mXBvs6j2
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV7qX5hAzW
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhMFansNo4
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjT0Anozr0
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisLmqsaDv9
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz9fhVe1Yt
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpHkAOGEIM
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48mxGZn6AL
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3XGIeZNpc
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGGuhd7uIS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFXZwP7Pn5
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNg3wssu84
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EMhlVdykY
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR4jDD6Ybt
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJeZyvteT3
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziA4iYqQsw
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFxMdEH56a
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg722bTOKw6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MRVDeNSKS
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rQEbwSJpX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVacqW4SAS9
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeOjVez2Om
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5V77EcAIV
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JjKXB2VeA
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd04fl4eve
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLyWh7p1AL
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpza6eUMeQO
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrSB4avz6X
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTOZcK464a
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT1EWpyTPx
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDDacZaaz7
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnewxnF3dM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnysEHDLZz
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1GSIuzj5p
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4f10GWdWP
Was it that time already?201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzlZUFIyPZ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnK2OseepB
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5x7Du1Kv0
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp548uZOfw
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMWyUuo3s8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58gvOltxKE
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrSKD9AreS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qVBJjkXWi
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnJw7QqR6D
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMknEVu2nDY
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiYHDuCeJl
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA6kRHkSNA
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWPmP6hu3S
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgjn006FtQ
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVRtQ2A4Ek
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSklxMzolHR
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhKjr0xVJj
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2uA0UqNPL
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPvxMFNXCb
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHjoRTI9b1
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnKxz3KjTh
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2VKCKHgy6
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGn2yYupWm
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1ZlygqMKD
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy5pVbqH7H
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jrIiP4tbs
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAnhMeE1dk
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkTpigIpDI
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgvgbokv0S
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXRPmyui1G
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BpZjlweqB
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Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIAHwwNRmk
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ0eQcOh2D
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxom3phk1hW
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I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM1kkmkJGK
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"Soup?" 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8XUYRPUdm
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I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC4oL89QRz
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBhUwcsMLz
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G35wVIXKx
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT1GuJDld1
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I wasn't still human, was I? 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuVhXoEoB1
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Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zvK5G2oNU
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Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89Y3IJMp3U
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"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJiFtTLHIr
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She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWsPfztZJQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ta6ZzrM0E
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHujig3w08
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She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzKbFDlOty
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwBiWDVmb7
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOLGzef4md
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"Did you...?" 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zio8D6V10
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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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF77y4fWTbu
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I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpXvGlmEao
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I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBwVin0pwF
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I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jrarKafF6
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The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay6CjnlxtS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWzhAMfr8d
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClFxjqYIUF
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"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooHswCyRnL
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No. She couldn't see me here. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT6Ld9h5wL
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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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMrp04s8hY
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Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSSM2V46pH
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"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk0xwYTL5i
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She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhDWfrdQve
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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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwckZ4kaGv
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I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEV1EX4K4q
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"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQE6aljEec
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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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnTL8yd82z
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKu1u6WDuG
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. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4PKEj2ATZ
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqdKrJM8Tj
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDOogHbrPe
It would be how it was.
