303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok4bv1LHtn
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTs4ZawEnS
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7oKil8D4j
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j1MGN2ka0
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvju4Veff6
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE4L0puLWN
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YesW1lSow
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgHU8CsNxi
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcdXCDoope
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn8oO6c1hg
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0ZOPVc68x
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJNWmamXAv
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFQgxuLhhB
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyS7aAswTw
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZGfp6CYeJ
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcncEVIdam0
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlRAW1fKDx
Would she like it? Should I make more? 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UaKvijmF0
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sgz1uSKfH
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dRf1Tiqmm
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge3U1rclel
One would do then. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zZPxNoOMw
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3O8vSZqKt
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDulgyP5Ur
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoicmTvgE1v
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmBH0XOUkA
"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?" 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hLuqcBAdO
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWB8MuixMC
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94vYOqIvks
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80o5jnGis9
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl97xpXQvU
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBFvLStyrb
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcZsaB3mKk
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AXOLIBAcA
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMyPamPHb4
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhVooFtgyq
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSExrqz0zh
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk33bboETn
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wrIPMWEDS
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUPhM3E24p
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf2wdPGMC5
"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?" 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs6ikxh2U9
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQEYlY9CfY
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoscoDwGfWG
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5x2L2zIaD
"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!" 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GJg3bZ7M0
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadAsWBzVe4
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OP58sCJ1s
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGadZZQyBN
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1on3O5eXN5
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUtZkKtSnH
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq2Gsr02Eg
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70V8ODKTUk
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wWWqchWvY
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW0k5OkebH
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24BbnK3s0i
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOJEDPWnfo
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iz4qlCdap
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G3SGa4LUS
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpjCdm1QUg
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSfEzPtO0y
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNApdWnuVS
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBWrtAFNUW
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZRRhbiRRk
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrRnOIZbz4
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczxzRDZp0L
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12LSYvtzlq
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? 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J4pxU7zZX
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhOZrho3Z4
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXaaP2YOKm
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpKzaPoFjo
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd1leazp9B
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kEWbw9bah
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxMNXA4gfy
A stretch, but a believable one. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpvphFyXST
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTxK16Y4hZ
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HiWouiOB7
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnDdg9hXoG
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6NpolywLy
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQH6I1Jji6
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgOcOJSGFK
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9kZFCvUpc
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61U0tej6BB
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7dLI01Vyy
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxVzyQv3im
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsbCag970o
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJBo4Lu69Q
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlUAA1Q0XW
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTr1a4ivaj
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRdJkI332c
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8QDtkYlug
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kwhgPXBj5
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF7MdvoBSe
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuFRtZTRIY
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mtz8mMEhu
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtkZ3FCudc
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0eA2ED0TR
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.
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs1xCni5FC
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkitpt3LiZV
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFskfRhyd7
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxsuBWBubO
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaPTwWLXiO
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sMrOrqgvJ
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvMrMCEYWt
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNBVIczf3C
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3Y2whSmuf
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lBFU3MEjh
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR33KTxvEy5
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGQTUoCOHL
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlRx4HMLr5
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcj4b4l6tR
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsD1GGOkgV
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyhtPX9xlV
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgTZRv5PWT
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMFb02Mfqw
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpR8K9Vts0
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53GAERxCkK
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSIVL9wKAt
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWL10DaBRT
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO5ZzUVaSt
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A8XGbD7ap
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKYjl19zy1
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaDjdrOLqD
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z9mBvZgp1
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBbfiV4x0A
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlN5ZNkfwU
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII4cj9NY5E
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA24eYDadsR
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRuKCUg21z
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FtmkyUDJk
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNpSfLmZEB
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODDS6EhsAn
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbESHEYbxi
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kVzIFwE4y
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5uAfPAcZt
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjVCWYYQ3m
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Yya9NdGJ
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwK3JirYkd
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG9VsqfJ5P
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9x0ygK9r3
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyygucJ7KOl
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV223uPYzeP
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyGoxhnJHy
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX6aItpuys
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5AD986mJf
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRWtULqYGL
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbVSYihbHF
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjagSBbhx1
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXNhXRvACk
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D02UjPpeq
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rChLYOR0U
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaWpk1Yk3w
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IN4bJJO14
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe8L6LW1OG
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7vFDktcnF
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe8GxHKKOY
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvHs6tmsNs
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8PiJB8drP
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0vJNQzmhc
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfqkKkE6gA
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cx4fTlYoh
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQoy6oHYoF
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItcL00nghH
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuGGjIIFTb
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZop7uXOuuO
Was it that time already?303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5uRiKKno3
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsbtGFWp5m
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Eb7nhvnB
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwQ2bKulPu
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONysqrTnbR
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwFlPVnUNG
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyvu6larAw
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk11hYfA1au
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeSGGp0YDS
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcm74PgocB
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf18xkYfHv
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnDGGWs4jL
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeElqNCMzjT
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMV9NfRiOo
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiXlKWtipj
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJieHUfyQyU
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuoc53Rxwe
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJsN8vx11j
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcVYP6kMbD
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5UU6uRawt
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUdH0Yd3lp
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dQsctvJtH
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR6JvM8AHd
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80lx2z5Dc9
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtJO0EDNvd
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmsGmPkTUN
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcTQtiexhG
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01uoAVQTxE
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9mpccsh0J
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8u9PABzP0
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsu1aZbi7L
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyMgTQ6F3N
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKaoFOxpIG
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdIaNFyhex
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudn6SoYDyy
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmHaCaYrzP
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD9GvV8qgI
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllSjekLhKo
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2e4wB48I6
"Soup?" 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPZfvDSnqg
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk977DaYjk9
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsAXMgwYji
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE1dGfSW7P
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cWKoF2LN5
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLr0vO7J4Q
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoSaUYasJO
I wasn't still human, was I? 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzXYtJn3MS
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1sWp175ey
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2Ggs97gA4
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2ZrOwKCJ5
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpbpyTHfjZ
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNJQlFnvNk
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouW7Lct3GX
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jEEqpcQ93
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbLSXAcLEQ
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09WdsLxYCK
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsjQdiDclu
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv12Xi4p1d
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGH3otDOo5
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFkZKitkhu
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7snnF6g4JX
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWQ0WICzBF
"Did you...?" 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6ITm3cmFJ
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8EHXqhtYt
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDJrKl0c4V
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PgUCDqcdD
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24BRf1BiNd
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiXZaTzI1u
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8ZVyoh04U
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalKbILBFJV
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTo7rJTGtL
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql3Vk3BHOr
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4PZMwXkgz
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugHr95e4An
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYeCJjB83b
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB35nBwn9O
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCyJhr4JnC
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlnF6oTFr0
No. She couldn't see me here. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rIeErDU6I
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLLFjsY0HG
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciUZuh15xq
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ4prYFB7i
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1BP4sjIny
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc2XZcYsdz
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIYC9EuEIo
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfiNSqp9Ox
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiWJw6Kt6r
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UnXdlpwjK
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AuHD14hfD
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0rX3PVUG3
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8BJZuCb3v
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjEuLW01wx
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaByOckByfS
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWdnwRMuEf
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLy4W0IG0r
303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1banJIQ20
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. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKqIZUZ2iY
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.303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONnqDCwS3j
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 303Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvLLF4WG5w
It would be how it was.
