304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cBzjinzLf
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOkkSZmOuv
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxx70ZsS8m
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAI6VeHL4A
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5L5xoePHk
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIr61D7xl5
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8uG97SAqK
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrqXMcSa4b
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJf7P05EXD
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe93kFiAlB
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIiu3VISx6
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMyz5YwMkq
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDdgSHkf38
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vG9rJb3MC
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1osmNx0HZ
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoirO9vle4
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWkLmu13zD
Would she like it? Should I make more? 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAJl3RBgPV
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iAcJVbWWV
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10kHm37ZJI
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxUJN5RXGU
One would do then. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcIvT2qJHz
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0uhx0duqo
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbe0LJDBIY
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRoMZGXIJr
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzmCVdemHP
"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?" 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkSBfd62BX
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUCMTMF630
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm0ItJ9e5N
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsMHxbVTju
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSGAyi1iTn
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGGbHl2x0U
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqeCpSvQNi
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFM6Wz4q06
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKdvxikYQk
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvyqdaHlrf
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg9pc9RqOQ
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMEKfdTyKd
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmqnwrSkmf
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDlxogiwbI
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePz7eml9AD
"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?" 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVgamP9Isg
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMb2sOatt3
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLWGbuDQHc
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyLehruLBr
"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!" 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeGmI1hlMW
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMaODJXDk1
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIu8ewebJY
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYEn4GFPWO
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwZgaRvxIf
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5ZYsZdfc4
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRXPigwMg2
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7sbip7TKC
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jaig9QJmK
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvPDbkWA1z
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0wjgoCKlK
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRtfwhzbmc
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYZ6EMA1BT
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cf7Igoa4L
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi3ZwagDDf
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5JSiIJKeR
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhmsKVQQ5W
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojT8A9ulYV
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkVz23Sggc
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWycKJwAPI
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEOMqa9gAb
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV15YEsa9wR
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? 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLvyc86250
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lpZyvM6Ys
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXq6Lh6uUR
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVy9tJszhs
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIfYyKnJuU
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1EUW0S8xY
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlyyso00RL
A stretch, but a believable one. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m9PWZxuOF
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM8jGqAiFj
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLOt5tiCAs
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCvB6L8SYY
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCPJGhEidr
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco3EkkOutl
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjMFpUFbsY
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguQ6rgcRcZ
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7DwtQ28KI
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG0LPMFVTy
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVp0jwAt56
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlrZ3Ff8Oj
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQST3Sq7td8
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVEy4Zd0Yp
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7lSGu2LDc
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN73JemYVRB
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHiQeMSm9y
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUgxsOtyTb
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSFB2dINxz
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufyxIPfj73
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4dTdLyseC
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NNdKgoBzE
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWH0Gslfh4
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.
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1o3gkPBKX
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU0yKiEvTi
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjttmJ9pJA
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm966LEY7i
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrHmF7GiMn
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnD0N3URjk
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVgoVcWm2u
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYdAQlZsng
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JnrE7y7gw
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcYWuM6WwY
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBfuUnCzgE
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTUTu8vNRC
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji1zK1EjKz
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvPpJl8cLE
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8sz2cIVid
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRmUJlYfTI
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5UxiMTQdC
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlK8gXGnQh
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BnWBWLDNX
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0181hJi8UG
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY19n0qdsB
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhABxeS07CS
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxCSerqOcT
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC3L4Cmrs0
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ky0FDQdDI
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8Nsdb7I5X
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk81jZHuSM
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9oKGks4Y2
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PszqwhoQD
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFL1Xq3IKu
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4cxzd0dPl
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV9N0bONGP
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxrsTKzmJu
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.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEGDgP1SE7
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIKST3wcfT
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55m4MhzXpQ
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsDo3EfrRo
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuynMLKBR6
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8FTeHix5T
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0Uopik3v0
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZiplUNgW8
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ULj2YVvea
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQJ0ruKQva
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTuQXFM365
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUGT0s2sIT
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3wnFcYUEk
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UEsfzegRA
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJXt2mrxT9
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoQ2V4ExeE
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgzm7TWeTW
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGffBIi9YvI
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4h8ZsQwjR
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHhdyqQX4i
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtHxlqi95Y
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA09eoFZTy
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdlqXpd6E3
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlLbdqMVLf
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60fmVmibRe
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA4RMs43q2
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmwwHL199t
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6oMHSzHbt
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1j0rDuRKK
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcolPBUMul
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmXbYxDv6Z
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N2rKgVIdb
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhm0tgHcKC
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQJsa67M0w
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMeqIHoWKV
Was it that time already?304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLyul2ATls
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2lob9Sq5W
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqfR2F9nOO
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1l4wJuATL
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW4Eflmgxg
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnJ1CK6opK
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzom90dkw6
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMlQem6m1v
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkrHa1Xj5e
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrKSAv4wnH
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3KCiH9Wkw
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbBcLVXoIB
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ABfKV6mLN
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALneEVNuB2
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7NVYYHSYW
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDBbbhyGQ0
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKcHKbqxA7
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1FuJaEfQ5
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2FzKiWGEK
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLKApRwOwb
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPsYZu3dt4
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZDzzIOR90
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ER4V2poAi
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCinXrPyKf
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6aRoSU8D8
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AWzuWTNh0
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CjlilYT3U
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMulHIKHDP
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrsBZe2TnN
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NMU2CqoCT
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbJo3dtWyK
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDMD1hOPDz
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlQ4pSzQRO
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zqyFRGFyU
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFMvvTttHg
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.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrpp4pUkbJ
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl8hPosyW3
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP2yg9PC9v
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWEJOX79iZ
"Soup?" 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mTj2cOx9h
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMgXcOhRke
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ1ULMUxOU
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaL2JwkC6N
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKkZwN1k7P
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZQG4ueqWu
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg7rH4mhly
I wasn't still human, was I? 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzWNYC6h6T
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgogwVkkPv9
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXBe05ulbX
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y9LFmmBFR
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B9AAOUrp6
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CfAp39Vwx
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjrlhIHSEm
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQwff2BIjI
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7nubAMrjn
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx3OAtCCHs
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iDW4IYu55
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatMU6nLfBp
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZeTUylykA
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PoLxnTxHB
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54ORche2Qk
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwzThOAkNn
"Did you...?" 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJmPDLO2Jp
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KdUg1KnzH
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaRpsvt0r7
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWxamtjequ
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58SwevYbFq
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4FRAZ1s4l
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9XxC9JRHd
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V6YVJvbYb
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau8uCqMOnx
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmCRN28JnN
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwYQYmkVJ8
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQl1SdgOQt
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.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg6X2sPJKq
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUW8ZpNZ6U
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqDWovefYd
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGYKihAy71
No. She couldn't see me here. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaqJuHT3Ko
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAjU92bgbb
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOluBQEMjz
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhSExsBhTx
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9i3kyF88c
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ045J5vihqv
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnUseRmi7F
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUPot180l9
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFkMZ8u6h5
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvja8AjMkm
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQpEhL3LrV
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37a0sFgCsS
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8pC8gRU9O
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuofrlIMKBp
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6qrRX5guX
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk1gjW019U
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7J2vHp52c
304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSWwKItjkr
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. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrEUtr9N7U
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.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKnenNkGpW
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsqCHshGm0
It would be how it was.
