36Please respect copyright.PENANAXh2hrKs3DK
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAhMDBUOsGEj
36Please respect copyright.PENANA938pfqBYfm
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAXeUXHjD0jr
36Please respect copyright.PENANAFe31dQ7prR
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAW6meT2eylL
36Please respect copyright.PENANAYIw55ff5L4
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZMiwkuEE5
36Please respect copyright.PENANA5feJAnfxar
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAAQAnBvHaR0
36Please respect copyright.PENANAvySqNYlol2
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA5BR86aNzZf
36Please respect copyright.PENANAWB2y4KaMPS
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAPcwu61prJ6
36Please respect copyright.PENANAB9tR8Kuy1E
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAOtndzXxf83
36Please respect copyright.PENANAXKMbyAhuS1
Would she like it? Should I make more? 36Please respect copyright.PENANA3BppooMN2A
36Please respect copyright.PENANAu7KywhxneP
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAyewP9OJ6LZ
36Please respect copyright.PENANAaagSxCOkb9
One would do then. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAHpJZZaeuKX
36Please respect copyright.PENANAghZtVvR5AI
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA4ALLk4QD4m
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 36Please respect copyright.PENANArON9yQtqzi
36Please respect copyright.PENANA0SQEtGf3TI
"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?" 36Please respect copyright.PENANA8u2WCgUF22
36Please respect copyright.PENANAejn0hODJmt
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANABGEEAy94d3
36Please respect copyright.PENANAVsk3uCq5ig
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 36Please respect copyright.PENANABjZVG3bGXp
36Please respect copyright.PENANAynPSC8Z5Ie
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAVFIyRWzS59
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAk15z5FCvpi
36Please respect copyright.PENANAzFG5G6EyWu
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."36Please respect copyright.PENANAxBBdQYqbSB
36Please respect copyright.PENANAmnoDulpPGx
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAe4dVin3zXM
36Please respect copyright.PENANADQP9k970zD
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA2v6zRvHu7B
36Please respect copyright.PENANAowZnUIxMKd
"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?" 36Please respect copyright.PENANAzBnPrP9M6J
36Please respect copyright.PENANAsVuTnOlPdE
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAKlk3Fe82kf
36Please respect copyright.PENANAbrP9TDEji6
"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!" 36Please respect copyright.PENANAsFNfKrRsMw
36Please respect copyright.PENANAhMk3JIDZxJ
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANALjjeoSsiuK
36Please respect copyright.PENANAnHiNHGKZYL
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAwkNgAxQU80
36Please respect copyright.PENANAZaCMc3DsyT
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAp4c1PMUMmZ
36Please respect copyright.PENANAlkJUiS2AeM
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAXVrgDQeBLY
36Please respect copyright.PENANAn8NfgxywVQ
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAWsyrpYOtTa
36Please respect copyright.PENANAjbA7Ut9NTo
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAV2qQIS5mq1
36Please respect copyright.PENANAcwbJxpz3pl
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 36Please respect copyright.PENANAnzZCGjwZ9v
36Please respect copyright.PENANALOU1WW2P7f
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAVXBWfTMXCv
36Please respect copyright.PENANAZhQV9L9nHn
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAjuPByfAmgZ
36Please respect copyright.PENANAmGcsEtbEd4
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAa7V3BpvHCS
36Please respect copyright.PENANAybXjPTl4zW
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? 36Please respect copyright.PENANA8Tfoqfofxk
36Please respect copyright.PENANAqCm3EkKQsg
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.36Please respect copyright.PENANA68dIRVJpnW
36Please respect copyright.PENANAszRJx3cR5F
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAhvq7DmJCTS
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAlt4XrEpWd3
36Please respect copyright.PENANAmcAF6kZJa9
A stretch, but a believable one. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAE9I2nuwW6J
36Please respect copyright.PENANAarBz4XXK6c
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAqrKtIjceKp
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAUGoyeWhU6q
36Please respect copyright.PENANA59BNxVzNjA
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAMBz0bujfWI
36Please respect copyright.PENANAacVcXuOks9
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAVUtafBGr4q
36Please respect copyright.PENANAHYWqoUTCvR
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAiMWxfY2cN9
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 36Please respect copyright.PENANANP74d3vytu
36Please respect copyright.PENANA6T21u5yhwV
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAnP3CbDi3Vx
36Please respect copyright.PENANAGIjZbigmxl
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAvrznyISiN9
36Please respect copyright.PENANAhQUQWYXkSi
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAbUx6gNqNNc
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 36Please respect copyright.PENANADbEDkjGrCO
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAaWhXSSzAr8
36Please respect copyright.PENANAZyiwFMsxck
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAtNf8ER6yxf
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 36Please respect copyright.PENANANpvplWpXTV
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAe6WnlKgyvF
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.
36Please respect copyright.PENANAm9gTg20IBk
36Please respect copyright.PENANA5cdK8YXCJv
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAgq8SvxUr1Y
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAJh36rTHAwC
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAkgO5KYygrj
36Please respect copyright.PENANAOtRQTD6U4D
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAPnHBF1NAqP
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANATdZhmAJl2S
36Please respect copyright.PENANA8Xtl8sF7N7
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAMslOIqWxr2
36Please respect copyright.PENANAwOhGcxAuIq
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAWcdGXhkrjU
36Please respect copyright.PENANA6aZtTcLfWR
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAfDFmbF1GOD
36Please respect copyright.PENANAGvLBon734V
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAb6v4bhY198
36Please respect copyright.PENANAM0dibFjLYj
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAabmxKpWDOD
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAtHAib3h3Lu
36Please respect copyright.PENANAamSLrRvrWQ
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA39AVF1MN2y
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAvwhPFqpZtt
36Please respect copyright.PENANAWA4qra8eSL
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAfhL6mVp6OI
36Please respect copyright.PENANA7655TZkp41
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAJfj7VebbFC
36Please respect copyright.PENANAaDnlfYJ1jW
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAeQAbQlk61i
36Please respect copyright.PENANAk1PDtx9TV8
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAW86U1myglW
36Please respect copyright.PENANArOS4Xv5T9f
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAAMpuLfZPpl
36Please respect copyright.PENANAHc2mIZWOsV
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.36Please respect copyright.PENANAjQUHcdIW2h
36Please respect copyright.PENANAkC7hVS8Mk8
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAeTTznG7ogs
36Please respect copyright.PENANAeh8xcazhFt
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANADmu9mqCPk1
36Please respect copyright.PENANAx2PBcR8Xlq
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAq0AsXk5pba
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA29a4YXW0ps
36Please respect copyright.PENANAGmZnDkPeNR
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAClKNTfMBNs
36Please respect copyright.PENANA928qriDrpi
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA0qqfmE9lkm
36Please respect copyright.PENANABrWfsz88tL
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAx9162JFXfc
36Please respect copyright.PENANAERrFpIePY5
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAqOLwp5VOAy
36Please respect copyright.PENANAJe92MV2xbM
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA3KPME9osQQ
36Please respect copyright.PENANA6M3sfqjAb2
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANABphh9GulKe
36Please respect copyright.PENANAihldqd0PDO
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAMZfNbzBK4s
36Please respect copyright.PENANArgfVCaWcUh
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA8Kpj84KS6x
36Please respect copyright.PENANAkxxRN4EDsZ
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA5cmrNxDS7x
36Please respect copyright.PENANAkGG5gaWGw2
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAPOk2Q5Zvql
36Please respect copyright.PENANAnNppRAb7Zy
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 36Please respect copyright.PENANATtEGaooryR
36Please respect copyright.PENANArypdCdVcJK
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA0HZfjKw4Qn
36Please respect copyright.PENANAofjIv1bE5w
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAhEevDljspE
36Please respect copyright.PENANA5eAFZ0lNbx
Was it that time already?36Please respect copyright.PENANATKAmo4XWlo
36Please respect copyright.PENANAfZ23eCrHQQ
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAp079tNRFwz
36Please respect copyright.PENANAT4ifv0ttn2
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAdfGk3yXser
36Please respect copyright.PENANAyLUo3kTjdw
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAVRhC1Rvfuv
36Please respect copyright.PENANAzRnSK29RJ8
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAX9gL5nwmCn
36Please respect copyright.PENANA7dMxHopUEf
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAhmoDwaeP1L
36Please respect copyright.PENANAeAuqx3OQx9
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 36Please respect copyright.PENANAdqhwgmJnyJ
36Please respect copyright.PENANAoJqODrYH0M
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAGrHkAymx3X
36Please respect copyright.PENANAZKXdiKafJP
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 36Please respect copyright.PENANASxd7iqThMc
36Please respect copyright.PENANAfQobFaBJ0g
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAnQ1mGbxb4k
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA50ToG2EJj6
36Please respect copyright.PENANAqPj5SyTMEJ
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAm1BKXc5U2X
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAsVD1cjYET7
36Please respect copyright.PENANALgiSRbNzHR
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAEt0B2O3uEP
36Please respect copyright.PENANA9MjCRBVCOT
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAVgNlefokJ6
36Please respect copyright.PENANAMS83LNpQpS
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 36Please respect copyright.PENANALqXULEtvMl
36Please respect copyright.PENANAUO4BhqO5sf
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAnQbwJ5M2RL
36Please respect copyright.PENANAAY79bu08PI
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAs5vlVpUsIA
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAuefP2XIKyQ
36Please respect copyright.PENANA5pxeC61HgT
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.36Please respect copyright.PENANApK9SW5liy5
36Please respect copyright.PENANAfPtO0erfCm
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAIaGnbKxZ8Q
36Please respect copyright.PENANA1qxe7I4Q2i
"Soup?" 36Please respect copyright.PENANADVeaPKVHt8
36Please respect copyright.PENANAsACImI6JQ0
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAe11BV2TEbc
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAnMlwXXVbjR
36Please respect copyright.PENANAoNs4dfOoTy
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAESyTCkoVLx
36Please respect copyright.PENANAvnvMsGooAG
I wasn't still human, was I? 36Please respect copyright.PENANAC1ZKsosBPu
36Please respect copyright.PENANAAf801i7ev2
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA8bE1XX0oko
36Please respect copyright.PENANAVfjdwCPe3s
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAnVQiEjQEZq
36Please respect copyright.PENANA2bW3Qrpboh
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 36Please respect copyright.PENANAK1I2m9rQII
36Please respect copyright.PENANAnBlxg2mIRO
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA7Mi8DbRigZ
36Please respect copyright.PENANA1PiXjrZNTe
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAmHId0XqAvJ
36Please respect copyright.PENANAjPS1SZ3lcn
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAhKqB4GHH0u
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAgdo8yOHOdm
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAhCHsQHwpGu
36Please respect copyright.PENANATqWCZ71vUi
"Did you...?" 36Please respect copyright.PENANAEY5YLy8M7C
36Please respect copyright.PENANAxEbNlLiDJR
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAKcVG0OPX4L
36Please respect copyright.PENANALd8PIRCrW3
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAPPH85KITmv
36Please respect copyright.PENANAf7mQJGsVWd
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAiQdTQDc80C
36Please respect copyright.PENANASP7Srrxy33
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAKf0T9Slyd2
36Please respect copyright.PENANAXPFghuVX1V
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA32nlBOmo3Z
36Please respect copyright.PENANA7ySPzlBA3n
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.36Please respect copyright.PENANA4RcFBB4pJ9
36Please respect copyright.PENANAkg1n0hbZef
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAu2k4NJoUYo
36Please respect copyright.PENANAKMTidVkqWt
No. She couldn't see me here. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAyLWaIb5eLH
36Please respect copyright.PENANAp1XMbwb2LV
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAygLo8Dk0wY
36Please respect copyright.PENANAacjTXp71X8
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 36Please respect copyright.PENANA8OFQtR0HXd
36Please respect copyright.PENANAlVd2fG6B7J
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 36Please respect copyright.PENANAFhhdwFmWkF
36Please respect copyright.PENANAgbILSr3tex
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 36Please respect copyright.PENANANU2PtbuIQE
36Please respect copyright.PENANAD7OjWtlF5t
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAIpmeZCyjHE
36Please respect copyright.PENANASjWa6tYryU
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAWSzTO72vlH
36Please respect copyright.PENANAAGoz3OeKm4
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 36Please respect copyright.PENANARbZTPJroO1
36Please respect copyright.PENANA2pd5qBWUNm
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAcpYjM4T0i2
36Please respect copyright.PENANAQsjiFSOp8M
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. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAA2kLP53uO6
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.36Please respect copyright.PENANAQimboJQeCV
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 36Please respect copyright.PENANAbneJJ0Cnlr
It would be how it was.