57Please respect copyright.PENANAFEw9lZpNVc
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAAMnVVsBvKK
57Please respect copyright.PENANAjvm1ifBUFU
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA3hhmYRkNZE
57Please respect copyright.PENANAG2HrUbKgrV
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAoAZ4qSgtTT
57Please respect copyright.PENANAWRJLdwFt7o
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAv8Pk6zyBaH
57Please respect copyright.PENANAu2jvK85D5i
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAJGtg1lOiIa
57Please respect copyright.PENANADAr3g6lqvZ
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANANrZ9ECdCDy
57Please respect copyright.PENANAqD3GCFqeUg
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANARrJ9LmXQLD
57Please respect copyright.PENANAygWPbHmKkW
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAcasFBESyb9
57Please respect copyright.PENANAwNg2nsmDRY
Would she like it? Should I make more? 57Please respect copyright.PENANAszOGzAO84R
57Please respect copyright.PENANAF6f9ws4iLx
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAIP5nKqAyKT
57Please respect copyright.PENANArfhM80IjiX
One would do then. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA6BQkXfSCzI
57Please respect copyright.PENANA8vIVupSOYl
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAkZ5Wdtp5Jm
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAn0T6zljUmh
57Please respect copyright.PENANAKF8jm6Udsy
"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?" 57Please respect copyright.PENANALxyaERPxz3
57Please respect copyright.PENANAEQahHfAyTU
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAV72h5iwFes
57Please respect copyright.PENANATQEqqKtQcj
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAbNZgBAZ41Z
57Please respect copyright.PENANA2pGEWaXo8I
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAMXlbvLendO
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAcfHjW74FxL
57Please respect copyright.PENANAMJ5o43cJlT
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."57Please respect copyright.PENANAjIWZCU9qjb
57Please respect copyright.PENANAsqFf1blGv2
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 57Please respect copyright.PENANARl5mMVzh1O
57Please respect copyright.PENANAxS4XM5VLsw
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA5E12LNN4JU
57Please respect copyright.PENANAKjF1tQMxu9
"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?" 57Please respect copyright.PENANAM81qcyQ874
57Please respect copyright.PENANAX1wCzCwGxV
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA3VRhvED8ml
57Please respect copyright.PENANAU14yRvoR7k
"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!" 57Please respect copyright.PENANAPEXr3XzR0f
57Please respect copyright.PENANAK2lbVBvykq
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAlG99LJMKd5
57Please respect copyright.PENANA9n45XlgsEM
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAOe2aBuyuCb
57Please respect copyright.PENANAoViOgcZqk3
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAVYDrz8kG27
57Please respect copyright.PENANAt4bHflfsod
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAupVc7NT8iq
57Please respect copyright.PENANAICwD3RNjXu
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAU1kwT6Oi2K
57Please respect copyright.PENANAv6rr7GVzeV
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAlCvlrTATIv
57Please respect copyright.PENANABXZ7AqbD5g
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 57Please respect copyright.PENANAzDe8pf1xBH
57Please respect copyright.PENANADqxEmQMl2Q
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAQckw1pUSVw
57Please respect copyright.PENANAu2K2UGYahu
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAiUWLUu85vr
57Please respect copyright.PENANAafI3jxrurM
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA2zkbxpcyjJ
57Please respect copyright.PENANA8qWwKXe9ot
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? 57Please respect copyright.PENANAl0DaSWG61b
57Please respect copyright.PENANAuaJ3bATlUH
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.57Please respect copyright.PENANAk6H7ud00TX
57Please respect copyright.PENANA8O6YrPT58w
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAHGS4IFvHCO
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA7E7rzT6eTk
57Please respect copyright.PENANAAk1Hjwtm4h
A stretch, but a believable one. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAUycmhCgInR
57Please respect copyright.PENANAxXSfwmV0O4
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAryzlfcTBMT
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAKe06LYTYbc
57Please respect copyright.PENANAILzNYLdWEe
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA1Zw7lLUI9Q
57Please respect copyright.PENANAWND9R4IKyW
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 57Please respect copyright.PENANANAgUPNaBW6
57Please respect copyright.PENANAQOarTpcajK
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAuSpizwatMA
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAoD6rR3AbBz
57Please respect copyright.PENANAA2yt1CBoeT
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAQ175JsTYdK
57Please respect copyright.PENANAVoSPvrtZhB
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAmTNgrTwJQJ
57Please respect copyright.PENANANFhoOw8wua
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA8LFDt8Ffuw
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAyIVJEro599
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAHRkKIAoR5O
57Please respect copyright.PENANAyHv76c5FI6
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAbJSsJQHqjb
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAa0hizg6BDV
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAdAxsCT5Oof
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.
57Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1qaYmf1Yf
57Please respect copyright.PENANAjq8VqogV3x
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 57Please respect copyright.PENANATUWRWANh9y
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAF6piDqGopt
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAFpPS9ZaLKX
57Please respect copyright.PENANA6kjSKiV29Z
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAG4fjTEtNF3
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA0LyLnC0Vev
57Please respect copyright.PENANA1QawamQtFG
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAwp3OlqrJD7
57Please respect copyright.PENANAb9yjRs8syu
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAHSEbOT1oV2
57Please respect copyright.PENANAsuwY5LVYx7
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA670XfP0fLu
57Please respect copyright.PENANAyjIPy2kXcV
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAv6CiNToKhR
57Please respect copyright.PENANA5jFYKpA2B2
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA5ffuSVaaXP
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA6tDMClZR1n
57Please respect copyright.PENANAJd2YoEJx8e
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAim1juof1Z3
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAI3CKopYANt
57Please respect copyright.PENANAKQvdI4PVad
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA0uXZEUgjAY
57Please respect copyright.PENANAzoU4SN0zhV
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA9eKm1hmahw
57Please respect copyright.PENANAVOKQks9qWJ
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAeh00i2Wark
57Please respect copyright.PENANAX1KfqWtmcj
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAnTvCzJvWEV
57Please respect copyright.PENANAdFz5hVoct6
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAN5L0vPPQFx
57Please respect copyright.PENANA0g8RTR34fa
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.57Please respect copyright.PENANAD90xxuQzrE
57Please respect copyright.PENANAsTocKXulsw
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA93RahtJnrZ
57Please respect copyright.PENANA2qMbM2nQtI
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAL4tJH0oDvX
57Please respect copyright.PENANAVge2pypXHV
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA5djJqDuurO
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAJbBhhXUk88
57Please respect copyright.PENANAG5eDAz1KAs
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA9RXjoujpb4
57Please respect copyright.PENANAPkNT1rBOkd
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 57Please respect copyright.PENANANxbTvQM1yb
57Please respect copyright.PENANANDttnbcM1E
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAXEVnooAnLx
57Please respect copyright.PENANAcAfpG3DcMj
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAjgpQiS8hBJ
57Please respect copyright.PENANA6TIEsduwx9
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAYjo87yqTDQ
57Please respect copyright.PENANAskKMp8aG66
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA0HFEOqzpQD
57Please respect copyright.PENANAa8CINGFCve
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA1LiiaGfkce
57Please respect copyright.PENANAZAUfyaSOhh
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA0ApOBBQloK
57Please respect copyright.PENANA4pUkC8EPLQ
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAVvoeeV8sQ6
57Please respect copyright.PENANAS2JQnFpseg
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAohotcP4k4M
57Please respect copyright.PENANAyLFWra1UAy
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAWp40gotlS7
57Please respect copyright.PENANAlCPtmmyB3b
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 57Please respect copyright.PENANASBNrFV7Qru
57Please respect copyright.PENANA43iUepQ2Rg
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAFjeFxIwfhB
57Please respect copyright.PENANAWKTXS8ryDE
Was it that time already?57Please respect copyright.PENANAUKNhHF33T9
57Please respect copyright.PENANA1irZVU6fkj
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA6AJPWLoIKW
57Please respect copyright.PENANATtfSOl7ppt
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAK8s7owZfAJ
57Please respect copyright.PENANAMjVtzclZIV
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAQrDzpGZ6Od
57Please respect copyright.PENANA8OzCJGGQwX
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAE1O0fW65nv
57Please respect copyright.PENANA0hiWryH2Sr
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA4h8OhIH4iF
57Please respect copyright.PENANA3MclRpfDfi
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 57Please respect copyright.PENANATeYWfoAxPO
57Please respect copyright.PENANAa6kmivO4cG
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAPmJkR7Besb
57Please respect copyright.PENANAn2Lek5HdXP
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAXrL1qsxVhc
57Please respect copyright.PENANAErVgOck4Gx
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAFp04jI6h8v
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAoDuHwOT7DI
57Please respect copyright.PENANAT0pMJNvhe3
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAmreWSaxIvP
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 57Please respect copyright.PENANATcIYH6RjOY
57Please respect copyright.PENANAxrPrS5Fk0P
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAnjCrBJT4M2
57Please respect copyright.PENANATDBV3GW3y7
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAjRyJE0Kjnl
57Please respect copyright.PENANABKVXoj7FyX
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 57Please respect copyright.PENANAa07P35abZl
57Please respect copyright.PENANA1pkIZCagHg
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAyn1WY7qfWm
57Please respect copyright.PENANAPKXmlSrzYk
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAanGfa3q29L
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAxTM9BUknXw
57Please respect copyright.PENANARXLHUVBZOL
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.57Please respect copyright.PENANAppso6ryZXq
57Please respect copyright.PENANAcbqYjoE1gT
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAePTHr8y3OG
57Please respect copyright.PENANAqzfQdzXzZd
"Soup?" 57Please respect copyright.PENANAaN9mztZFbG
57Please respect copyright.PENANA4KCUIQrSO4
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA8MJ30cKnv9
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAi6urH8jQAo
57Please respect copyright.PENANAqo1tIpZzQ2
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAlvPvHtSB09
57Please respect copyright.PENANAZtdUfsS3iU
I wasn't still human, was I? 57Please respect copyright.PENANA4OOJuqcV4O
57Please respect copyright.PENANAQJBW16UjTj
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAxI135cPMhj
57Please respect copyright.PENANABMxOWjJ74B
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAN3ZxCbpFbx
57Please respect copyright.PENANAWtiKlMlgEU
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 57Please respect copyright.PENANACh4EvNd3MS
57Please respect copyright.PENANAKKOawWWCHI
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAzmEJMKfy4C
57Please respect copyright.PENANAVE4AlgSGGh
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA08MQNavtzY
57Please respect copyright.PENANAYhJgTki2kV
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAn20Dw2S6JK
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAwYwv9cxvkJ
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAdWhL2du2ci
57Please respect copyright.PENANAr9lIl6dV0t
"Did you...?" 57Please respect copyright.PENANANNFE72JS56
57Please respect copyright.PENANAH1M9u4LBnX
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA9B4kxxOoMg
57Please respect copyright.PENANA8wkyInz6i8
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAeF7gXDwFss
57Please respect copyright.PENANAIZwVNqqS53
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAkI2GsCvKLn
57Please respect copyright.PENANAJZ3xmXOpaY
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAKtfBDZOQNI
57Please respect copyright.PENANAcHU8lVYVEZ
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAfm5BFhnZpm
57Please respect copyright.PENANAEeLl8gOTwc
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.57Please respect copyright.PENANA8svDRJGCnN
57Please respect copyright.PENANApDOwJ20Hfp
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 57Please respect copyright.PENANANDYkksd5Hz
57Please respect copyright.PENANAyIvIxlirTM
No. She couldn't see me here. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA7D21Z9qQqf
57Please respect copyright.PENANA326ave2lIy
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANANODqrFKORr
57Please respect copyright.PENANA0ntMNshGnF
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAgUlFeXNxHe
57Please respect copyright.PENANA4pknpUN2PC
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 57Please respect copyright.PENANA1y9Itn9JIQ
57Please respect copyright.PENANAngqLpYCdJo
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAn3QRLqOgYk
57Please respect copyright.PENANAQqGGOJUrTN
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAphNsGC0979
57Please respect copyright.PENANAE5KK36mvrV
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAxfHvVeBU4m
57Please respect copyright.PENANAn6wGf8FDNq
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 57Please respect copyright.PENANA5lzIDZoVsC
57Please respect copyright.PENANAV1hXvLFKXB
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAlmI5KwKUJq
57Please respect copyright.PENANAQE4LHcvJ1q
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. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAPpKpRS7OQb
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.57Please respect copyright.PENANALBuZzowj80
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 57Please respect copyright.PENANAQz8giQJ9Or
It would be how it was.