65Please respect copyright.PENANAlNc0jQdVde
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAlT53aW1eVB
65Please respect copyright.PENANApSMqFANS23
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANALzAMs5bESJ
65Please respect copyright.PENANALOIG4OgJHi
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAkqo8X9b4Kh
65Please respect copyright.PENANATnFnYRk0zt
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAjaCAj3kAGs
65Please respect copyright.PENANAQogKZK1way
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANARAHwl7TonS
65Please respect copyright.PENANAxT6eYt8H06
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAGhpcdpOp5k
65Please respect copyright.PENANACFrAEp49VE
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA3fQemogdPC
65Please respect copyright.PENANA6Cb9WmCQQC
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAyL475SmJaL
65Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7WEcINHsH
Would she like it? Should I make more? 65Please respect copyright.PENANAcO4pVYDyWq
65Please respect copyright.PENANA7KRebIMatS
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAptC5IyUpqN
65Please respect copyright.PENANAFoMpN47xR0
One would do then. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAZCgPkBVzAl
65Please respect copyright.PENANALWTeEnJ12K
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAfu5btUq0KA
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAckrFEK1P3Q
65Please respect copyright.PENANAkJBw4P7ipK
"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?" 65Please respect copyright.PENANAjT7uLbGXrS
65Please respect copyright.PENANAmlaullxapm
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA3IUF228WZC
65Please respect copyright.PENANAwgOvnZDXB0
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAFbg5sPInbD
65Please respect copyright.PENANAQXRrbD2V6Z
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 65Please respect copyright.PENANABn1FJW5tws
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAex3LE9Q7AO
65Please respect copyright.PENANAoqvQS9yP05
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."65Please respect copyright.PENANALV8iXQdtHn
65Please respect copyright.PENANATDkOdehVne
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 65Please respect copyright.PENANACggmKAUYHt
65Please respect copyright.PENANAkOXHbCnXm1
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAmOzLgjYOMB
65Please respect copyright.PENANAx7WBjDqzEa
"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?" 65Please respect copyright.PENANAw4ygWKCbSY
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYaB76PCwvp
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAJYqE7WP8tg
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYXfX0Apebo
"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!" 65Please respect copyright.PENANAlaWekivzKJ
65Please respect copyright.PENANAQnw8UmtD0O
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAtC7G8Q1oye
65Please respect copyright.PENANAoVkZjyYAk1
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAkfQtuCrnRW
65Please respect copyright.PENANAScJUYveo58
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA3J5t3iBpEd
65Please respect copyright.PENANALfd77Jn4uu
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA7kv7Xasmzi
65Please respect copyright.PENANAdDge7O4sc0
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAx04aSswVDU
65Please respect copyright.PENANAMxKMW3PmBy
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA5kMV2ZTHvD
65Please respect copyright.PENANA7S3nYCz6lY
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 65Please respect copyright.PENANAmMIvSeYg0V
65Please respect copyright.PENANAkY7q0g6524
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAOZo4eDALVq
65Please respect copyright.PENANADoCvre2z6q
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANATB6Ia7bpiZ
65Please respect copyright.PENANAzHrx4OlWz0
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAfuobaL3KLm
65Please respect copyright.PENANAobUfOvraAT
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? 65Please respect copyright.PENANAFW4dJoWc8U
65Please respect copyright.PENANAas90MqZS9L
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.65Please respect copyright.PENANAAIzGjZeoTo
65Please respect copyright.PENANAVBg73Fl87s
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAYAMYXyIwb3
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAnB55XP3alp
65Please respect copyright.PENANAMoCCotLmlh
A stretch, but a believable one. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA9tZAqaH1YB
65Please respect copyright.PENANAmZxeSTbhg6
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAaJFQHzkOZx
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAaJVlYMnbzZ
65Please respect copyright.PENANALYe4IZFfYE
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAaxBiaKf76p
65Please respect copyright.PENANAxm23QWItsf
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAhsPRWkEdu2
65Please respect copyright.PENANAntb1bIPUer
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAcNEmCC0OjH
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAjjYhetaMDu
65Please respect copyright.PENANA3YmFyMnVuB
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAa8dOscDi5W
65Please respect copyright.PENANALMVu50h7vh
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA2TbZfCbEft
65Please respect copyright.PENANAd90wOlsscP
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAGhWRhXctVC
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAV3gJjMBWOA
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 65Please respect copyright.PENANARmywvL4TuB
65Please respect copyright.PENANAqiILfPMwsI
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA61qqhu7vAs
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA2TY7QRj4PM
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 65Please respect copyright.PENANARwJ7I3cO78
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.
65Please respect copyright.PENANA0URjqFYAd2
65Please respect copyright.PENANAXMOObQwf3I
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAT6BrHzkYkP
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAxGTXCUT1xw
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANADGBKMbfhtd
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYOz2QlShOA
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA4Tecm0fISv
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA66NTRPrCVc
65Please respect copyright.PENANAG7yeUS8525
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAjLivCPPdRz
65Please respect copyright.PENANAEE2Dg9tSS4
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAYsZZz9yLhS
65Please respect copyright.PENANAL8YH8DfZWY
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAzyIRcL2Dlw
65Please respect copyright.PENANAh3aF15d01z
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANACaiQO7X8mn
65Please respect copyright.PENANADqjRxUjC4f
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 65Please respect copyright.PENANANzcN8q9Fc0
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA8lmNEzDEcl
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYSYQObX2Pi
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAPopjYdga55
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAzIyuWXjX4b
65Please respect copyright.PENANA2r753pBLRy
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAyVZoHQENTn
65Please respect copyright.PENANAokzPX66BMZ
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA9jIJ9ZTiK2
65Please respect copyright.PENANAVQ2aAFujVg
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAASmeYJpilK
65Please respect copyright.PENANAf4mBhCxBPO
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAOswpQnPyoV
65Please respect copyright.PENANAB0XgXqdkwf
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAZwmz7pouWi
65Please respect copyright.PENANACKvpmgBVUU
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.65Please respect copyright.PENANA1BF1FAvnM7
65Please respect copyright.PENANAe2Rj2SKbn7
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA3aZfdQzlbC
65Please respect copyright.PENANAU186EA6lsD
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAdeFn9wXNg7
65Please respect copyright.PENANAGCYHxgOSso
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 65Please respect copyright.PENANApZRzHYseNL
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAY5jA3ujnjb
65Please respect copyright.PENANAdCjqBC7xRe
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANArPO1XJC4fe
65Please respect copyright.PENANAunOY3En6RH
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAC1LG3coYim
65Please respect copyright.PENANAGOSIPYv82L
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAAyl1ipzP4Q
65Please respect copyright.PENANAzx6vZnd52n
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAWr9Du7A5eA
65Please respect copyright.PENANAPaTxptuScg
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAcF7FGqyVKx
65Please respect copyright.PENANARR5iCxpv0k
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAZaLzBXieQl
65Please respect copyright.PENANAyNGkKpaVr9
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAwUDTHVkRP6
65Please respect copyright.PENANApWcXQXKsqH
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAZ85DT0lf38
65Please respect copyright.PENANA1o7BbuEOip
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANArGhjIOJv7l
65Please respect copyright.PENANA3wqRium6p7
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAVdISgVrmlK
65Please respect copyright.PENANAtAB6lj8fO3
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAk0eaABUu7v
65Please respect copyright.PENANAomBWQonYZd
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAyeiCOrM7OS
65Please respect copyright.PENANA9nAofbiuBk
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANANDtDHTN56y
65Please respect copyright.PENANAaNHdsMA59X
Was it that time already?65Please respect copyright.PENANAX5Phl9ZsBC
65Please respect copyright.PENANAW69vJpHuRV
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA12rheMefy0
65Please respect copyright.PENANAGdcnAaXLiV
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA0me5jJPN0s
65Please respect copyright.PENANASDeVTtmRTl
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAIGBZYqFH5O
65Please respect copyright.PENANAGElauA2LWR
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANArEbhWwRzeD
65Please respect copyright.PENANAvYf4QrNIYe
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANANCm94WbrBw
65Please respect copyright.PENANAPsvy7v3rWU
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 65Please respect copyright.PENANALCcWv6Coq1
65Please respect copyright.PENANA706ztcfPeN
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAAKc42k0viY
65Please respect copyright.PENANAeFLxNQTNev
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 65Please respect copyright.PENANABSv60J3ZEz
65Please respect copyright.PENANAXrsL9e9BIj
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAcWGPsyQAjo
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAVHGobw04ew
65Please respect copyright.PENANAlHeKNGZhD2
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA1Re270xrsv
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAB7VYgIrM5i
65Please respect copyright.PENANAJLkXqhew5u
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAsoF89p2z3E
65Please respect copyright.PENANA9OnYB9aE1E
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAkMVXP9MNeX
65Please respect copyright.PENANAtDrMpQ8k6W
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 65Please respect copyright.PENANAXBtzAyGiNL
65Please respect copyright.PENANAspjQvH0h79
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAsFPpwp2zpT
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYCsEwA1e40
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA3DxAlQTsp1
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAKyRzetndAo
65Please respect copyright.PENANAWOPTN89zn6
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.65Please respect copyright.PENANASjcSj4qi5X
65Please respect copyright.PENANApduLZWYevu
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAbQzQX2OEu9
65Please respect copyright.PENANAWTHk2fI4e1
"Soup?" 65Please respect copyright.PENANAWp8tjamXzN
65Please respect copyright.PENANAT8Hq1yTTMy
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 65Please respect copyright.PENANArm9dTeogCf
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAA9yGr7PClo
65Please respect copyright.PENANAqIZJTbqZUT
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 65Please respect copyright.PENANArbFT4rtRKT
65Please respect copyright.PENANAAbEjQLSKIr
I wasn't still human, was I? 65Please respect copyright.PENANALogaMLuEjg
65Please respect copyright.PENANAuGF3di1IUL
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 65Please respect copyright.PENANATSCTXLog1c
65Please respect copyright.PENANAVrqlCzxBxe
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA4mQJRqbp6p
65Please respect copyright.PENANAjexsypDacr
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 65Please respect copyright.PENANAXEHN1ubg2p
65Please respect copyright.PENANAfcMBVUrAWn
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAqxu2PeDQ39
65Please respect copyright.PENANA5py2FM08wo
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAa6zQdN5i0o
65Please respect copyright.PENANAoQ0tBFseV8
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAUj2CBUIb6N
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAB1hX4ZTtSh
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 65Please respect copyright.PENANATwXC4IS5e7
65Please respect copyright.PENANAbVVrI0XScH
"Did you...?" 65Please respect copyright.PENANA0O92WrhjMB
65Please respect copyright.PENANAlD3Kzgny0r
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAiICFfcvaB2
65Please respect copyright.PENANAY7vQ5ZuJQU
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 65Please respect copyright.PENANACXJNlwBjuK
65Please respect copyright.PENANAbk5Pa24Nvl
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAW0mgfRId2t
65Please respect copyright.PENANA9b5UCMezW8
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA7fqwts6WV7
65Please respect copyright.PENANAZP1caL7VmP
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAWQalVyu7Cy
65Please respect copyright.PENANATdBe1bhhLs
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.65Please respect copyright.PENANAzbTGa5e8HD
65Please respect copyright.PENANAKrIZX2oAkJ
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAYOBdZPvyQF
65Please respect copyright.PENANAkSUL0cyI77
No. She couldn't see me here. 65Please respect copyright.PENANALKRyB3cSEn
65Please respect copyright.PENANAle1lgGxtDG
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA94dapGvHSE
65Please respect copyright.PENANAYFCnuy8MoW
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAMez17zwioY
65Please respect copyright.PENANA5exHKOBU2c
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 65Please respect copyright.PENANAb1djsjugit
65Please respect copyright.PENANAiBgHdkX61Y
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA0wPPO04RAc
65Please respect copyright.PENANANYNDB2dAOc
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAw90ezLYC0P
65Please respect copyright.PENANAqLDIPU4AiX
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 65Please respect copyright.PENANA9RP23jRFZI
65Please respect copyright.PENANAtdW4rCZTsQ
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAL9m74Bx8Nv
65Please respect copyright.PENANAH7BNcIU1sS
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAsmh0OscVkG
65Please respect copyright.PENANAsJ1jcIsPrb
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. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAAgac7NwCem
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.65Please respect copyright.PENANAM6n4Kx5Iba
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 65Please respect copyright.PENANAxDXXRly8J1
It would be how it was.