339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTOhBsEbrd
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTCVUDywhx
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7ulaiIOXO
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeMu9X9Eyw
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAeX2ctN5F
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAX9183MrL
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAJIp9CLby
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcM4wzG3d6
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZPNCQ9xBC
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhM2Xl4SaK
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHUucvi0zX
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrvW9f3L2e
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hsEvenFL6
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudae0tSXAS
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2cRUpqFmr
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWb7snBLNI
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzulBEd1ed
Would she like it? Should I make more? 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVX08s1sc5
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKoYBzo2QB
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ry1RTmkNz
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHhbDfnr4X
One would do then. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e6yzopoYS
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQS0UFkbpe
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrCM64brDI
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qfeOGmyyw
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCwDi9GRLh
"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?" 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldl3JIIrKz
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoTEDJNRe1
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vsTJnQDcn
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfWRcsGLWU
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexumgG2q62
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrPS45Fazq
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOqs5cNTfQ
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUVSaU1uwI
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwCtlNtjP0
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC7Sq3TgoC
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwSduXO8Ue
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0SZrPjM9N
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngBbuIIfAq
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKwtuZGcXa
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlttsV8ZUfs
"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?" 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnd1g77RVE
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19tTonQdCB
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2PYv67M0H
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6a3AvixAQ
"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!" 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m6ZtiCYBk
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88vuZVIuJ8
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmPD7BWY1x
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89nnY6xlsi
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFEEs04D1N
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo0pHUWsal
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o5V2jJDmT
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJNoW4paxV
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvf9urQvlq
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPY6WXKtZW
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsRayX2JGQ
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA7X0ffo0C
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi08lFba3rf
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbolObxJPG
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zq6H6cukE
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtHEQSfqbG
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAunJ5mivWT
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtMIFbo0Pd
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pz7a63gec
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZSqg6b034
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbAhvmgEs3
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22D6OfuRZg
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? 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHS8qOSGwT
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuEwKZwBNU
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqwcA7aQDf
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoBNXhnNsS
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR4q6ry4TC
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqMyFjePzT
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvThC6IYO91
A stretch, but a believable one. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmhnczwb9c
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeuvFTjPs7
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhRVac4QWr
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uYplo6eJd
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMRRqRSj0U
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pNQNXhQrF
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9cMDu0mqE
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0qlPaVysA
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT60tXATiUA
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP8s88NasA
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWauMnRSnOK
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVm9CWoR2h
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFjKNSpGSV
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzmdowkUwN
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX9kgsIGm8
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIRHOvW5Db
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAPIikceIn
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoBY3xBA6D
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagp3cSX1VI
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkxfkYwQCg
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxm7rQExkW
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvlKlETHr8
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaBnf40frf
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.
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMUkA9pcgg
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ0btxGXTR
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WdEpKs8ox
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCjKwkaqvb
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8769cQ9M3s
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGBqBQreW8
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqnwfl4Q6q
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI6omEQydR
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfWkNHo65u
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMETsN3Bbm2
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt2m8eYl0b
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdvCn5gjXj
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjPlhFpujq
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRJA7q4T5O
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa2njAoJM2
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbkkf3RhjJ
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsR8S1DwHi
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya6TzvTTmw
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpnEyxIoLW
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRPzhl3PIv
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ1luIYE5j
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO4TIh93Vd
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCgnOpoja0
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziNjgVfRe2
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnLeXLgmkp
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzo7IJkdSU
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoEDIphAby
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC61ow7v1u
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBaKZXJ1U1
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo8P90beqR
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJQxWdAGm0
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnliEkhagP
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrgFfbAA2x
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.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIMUppMMdO
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGEsqaAmxL
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hE22ViwTi
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbFSIsWW2I
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDAkI7067q
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdV5fK0AFq
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX3siPH94I
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C0W5c0bvH
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBCg8kdDri
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WPuVIOCvM
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpeXuTlgrX
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvDv5QfFRo
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtqlMIVHts
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DApCPzdGn
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dUdtPQwvB
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU98M92oo8O
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVUP9FAyiu
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExwQd2Hr2K
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4maU9j5H8
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BEbsvLWB8
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI8JQzjFBz
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK2WzM9dYQ
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN925i6QFSK
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mXG0W53OH
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahXTA3vxf6
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPc46pWi4J
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmSLBaZ7jo
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzbrP4mTBy
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZZMe7RvVC
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPn8ccZmvc
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5sQuGKhyT
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bAAcWtJAS
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr2wOelu5l
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtEzO37UQP
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUCiR3T5Ei
Was it that time already?339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C6ZRwXGdI
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlLIGPHzfe
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRBu56Fa9P
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolD822Dao8
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO34WmLBLeW
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1ggQFHpyW
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51VHb1VwzF
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF9yObpXUe
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrK2KkhiM0
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI64pdeCUMI
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPkD0aeqyx
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB6pBsfchL
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4rBaKix9N
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr3aOZ0mwi
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxE5PobL77
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47TbVAHc0x
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5ZhvANUfN
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eWCWNJOo1
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wr7tRNEE6
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Spqb5iN7Z
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIF8bLr8bQ
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECyu2shyVr
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeQY9qzbyw
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLRVYQY0N2
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFbsav9Az3
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2KCE1RljY
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr4aMBM68P
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZkGN1S7tH
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEIw3b9Ppo
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTEvdIjVir
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSwzqukLmQ
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl2NB7PekY
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHLCGgdHBm
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j1u9lBuSx
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1LMRhM02h
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.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrolmA1YNio
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9x0A5Qj3v
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71V0bFCzSH
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC66J8an4Js
"Soup?" 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfyZdGKH2O
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzTUZESNS4
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCvsDokuki
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy2nfCo3Fp
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSpXb9JYst
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu9ezGykF1
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sEVtYNxLH
I wasn't still human, was I? 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyFbfaLkEC
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXVtmvMCnC
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlinKCcsh05
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSXl9iYwcC
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskAIplYVJ6
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PRKHhYBjB
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDZgWA3GpW
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjvfZZCFr0
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNhKDeQWc1
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ojkQKnYoO
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkkaDXkORi
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIob4yLHnqq
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECUmYsvX7p
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8vUAwKPZ8
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkkDjA0zlr
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLyd7FMkwC
"Did you...?" 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pQwWfapTv
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUP6KZT5lA
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHDPS8FP92
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEnndzxdrh
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6t90xnYCl
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5jGnbQvWM
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBv3HgqhDK
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dy6awfAkE
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ7WvXNZDJ
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoxjlZ9kix
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD5wKsXISL
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACQZqSJONh
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.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiIJDYm4Rr
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHuQgO9H3I
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jSv5PHWoW
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVoS1hCtkL
No. She couldn't see me here. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCHFvVPxtO
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPkVcjymLg
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu0W7fszQj
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd8bQ8gaHg
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHty0nd5Vd
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviWTHbAVwY
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uviUQy0X6
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGThmXTNUOI
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPWX7CaQyv
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJQtuDWAlt
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtwSDhoy9U
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzK6nbWHZs
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZOtpA2dWS
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5iw2TYKII
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wlDbvjtqA
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCmBYAosHG
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgOH3SyLlz
339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl50bHyDIZ2
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. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82SdF0Pvbc
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.339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAidMxUg5uX
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 339Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGetZOl94KD
It would be how it was.
and then Add to home screen.