228Please respect copyright.PENANAdoEuvkhy9N
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0uFJJks4r
228Please respect copyright.PENANAov43Z0y0gi
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA0SewQV66mw
228Please respect copyright.PENANAoQB6r1DIUr
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAE8w9eQHvNo
228Please respect copyright.PENANAVmNK3szJqy
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA5UGTflYdXR
228Please respect copyright.PENANAB2Le9RyO0f
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAwgboPhdbMy
228Please respect copyright.PENANAM1LCQ8JjRo
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAW9LcmAWMXt
228Please respect copyright.PENANAV4hpa3x4VW
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA3S6TQjM8QC
228Please respect copyright.PENANAf7sroueSwO
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAtTO0rlLVCx
228Please respect copyright.PENANA9gNwjzbTob
Would she like it? Should I make more? 228Please respect copyright.PENANAOwTd9DjzTt
228Please respect copyright.PENANASDRGxq6ERh
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAntyLcnANgM
228Please respect copyright.PENANAbCl1g89KRU
One would do then. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAOyewVD0ivs
228Please respect copyright.PENANAldUyqys2UU
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAtmxWGguGD0
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA6qBZblGtfC
228Please respect copyright.PENANAt5Wr5d4Bbo
"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?" 228Please respect copyright.PENANAJhzXWaJeXr
228Please respect copyright.PENANAt1KUBmP5sy
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAicn6okO9cP
228Please respect copyright.PENANAVx1WJaiTVp
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAmkXe8tcnuF
228Please respect copyright.PENANAXJGH6L11nE
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAjo8eHdCpZw
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAMiI81Zqof3
228Please respect copyright.PENANAAQv3BbggTz
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."228Please respect copyright.PENANAodU7A73H3W
228Please respect copyright.PENANADBw3XwMJIt
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAq2hkCcPgwv
228Please respect copyright.PENANAYVP0Vjqf97
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAb4yEjqMPFG
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxUxIsC1dAP
"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?" 228Please respect copyright.PENANAB1J9gr0RU1
228Please respect copyright.PENANAbGjUbyM41w
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAuwJCnW1JcR
228Please respect copyright.PENANAyiXYo7AOTV
"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!" 228Please respect copyright.PENANAgWGLML95ML
228Please respect copyright.PENANA34Myk4d2zC
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAosC6d0BG3x
228Please respect copyright.PENANAcZ5Vst17pl
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAKy7cl9CYCp
228Please respect copyright.PENANAtWJleG7eZb
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAEJwKVuOBpU
228Please respect copyright.PENANAhWMmLiazed
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAUqoboDVYC7
228Please respect copyright.PENANAOtxJQE9EH0
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAHMbCtmBw6I
228Please respect copyright.PENANArqrVVbdokW
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAYWHPV2F1vd
228Please respect copyright.PENANAavc9X73ZvY
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 228Please respect copyright.PENANAut8e90mmo0
228Please respect copyright.PENANAfvVqV2QCDK
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7MKHVeWRj
228Please respect copyright.PENANARWKuOyUfUb
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAAbzWezhFec
228Please respect copyright.PENANApNCYnX966a
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA0rUpbGv6xl
228Please respect copyright.PENANAFsFmpjzAtq
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? 228Please respect copyright.PENANAPZt2KvUgvM
228Please respect copyright.PENANAiobfdurSKk
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.228Please respect copyright.PENANAuQn8FCiTe3
228Please respect copyright.PENANAOciuzEwjwl
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAoEMz48E6uT
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAjz6sQtFqQY
228Please respect copyright.PENANAAuAxWejvhj
A stretch, but a believable one. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA2eKmxMjW1W
228Please respect copyright.PENANAYzFVwwLOPH
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAZaI0j1GoJ7
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 228Please respect copyright.PENANATvFDfNDLwu
228Please respect copyright.PENANAY2a8lPN2hC
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAINRKDT8BlI
228Please respect copyright.PENANA19L2ITJ3ZS
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAkHEhytJuY8
228Please respect copyright.PENANAy9aNbc6tv0
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAMOj6r6cpqn
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAifwnfuEgDy
228Please respect copyright.PENANAF1QFBfzTLs
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 228Please respect copyright.PENANASMJNW85Vr2
228Please respect copyright.PENANAm5doNPuS7L
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAd943UZtpAj
228Please respect copyright.PENANAWTDUaT9rrh
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 228Please respect copyright.PENANArZmBxTum0z
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAo1QRy1o9kL
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAxon1lkL737
228Please respect copyright.PENANAfwZe2otrqT
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAvChtgh7GNb
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAWinOlOYLc7
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAepxtzUSkuw
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.
228Please respect copyright.PENANAbMWNvFEQX4
228Please respect copyright.PENANAiIS7sV9zEd
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAdBOWHoPJrn
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAaPFjjcghUK
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAb5elqV8FjK
228Please respect copyright.PENANASDxOaL4hRx
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAvyx7bZyoeV
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA3LlUuzmQkz
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZgzYNUZoFy
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAArOzhydycD
228Please respect copyright.PENANAlygJj5TKX5
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAbqqfeSNG6W
228Please respect copyright.PENANA2wvHnYiivh
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAPvaot9ehHh
228Please respect copyright.PENANA6HnpfAOTr9
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAJNE1RO5ir4
228Please respect copyright.PENANAzx0Et3qHl8
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAI381CxFzyn
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAvDGjLuG85E
228Please respect copyright.PENANAj5B3YpYfQa
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAsDv2k6goyM
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAuyIEYF9RdC
228Please respect copyright.PENANAXl39d7gqLb
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAVMmsVnn2mG
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZowsnrzQFf
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAC09EIz8sfS
228Please respect copyright.PENANAySPzoMwuz3
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAZxdIu1Q25S
228Please respect copyright.PENANA0GBsPrvGh9
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA8CoQXYXrnf
228Please respect copyright.PENANAHbcfQ6eJe0
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAPiis9v0TFf
228Please respect copyright.PENANA26EGEonxt8
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANACywtLZ4RDk
228Please respect copyright.PENANAKNmwwleF7T
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 228Please respect copyright.PENANALJAJJajLm1
228Please respect copyright.PENANArCfwDpuVvi
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAHINTdTB8Ox
228Please respect copyright.PENANAkthlIqYiGi
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 228Please respect copyright.PENANABZFR2yJTIj
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAjojWVucXmH
228Please respect copyright.PENANAs3oLscbBg4
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAlnlV2NfH0W
228Please respect copyright.PENANAaPqfWZF0yW
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA1GG9aL4Tmp
228Please respect copyright.PENANAC1Ir9GP8OV
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAQTcOQ7Mjps
228Please respect copyright.PENANA73KKouh8wL
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAYoIxUtcG09
228Please respect copyright.PENANAKZeiQ81zyP
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA3AyqQ3C9Ns
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxTaTJwZ309
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA698sIof2Ay
228Please respect copyright.PENANAWKuTfC2wTp
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAtRaRryIv9H
228Please respect copyright.PENANA72QbUXErCL
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANADLDuPXXvWb
228Please respect copyright.PENANAhv3JswCIcs
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAgfGuyJQpkN
228Please respect copyright.PENANAPimAMbXmmc
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAtAPP683VSO
228Please respect copyright.PENANAkpCV0bHqzK
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 228Please respect copyright.PENANANxJUnFrfVs
228Please respect copyright.PENANAndYWlms4Of
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAS4mteNBXQx
228Please respect copyright.PENANAr7yMXMuIZI
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAmv1QpaRXvN
228Please respect copyright.PENANAFGLt5Pxtq5
Was it that time already?228Please respect copyright.PENANAegNmwPu41C
228Please respect copyright.PENANAcy7Oe56yCD
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA5oGDfWbOQs
228Please respect copyright.PENANAVWpAIEWDlg
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAldw7PoulkD
228Please respect copyright.PENANAUTkVGQD7YX
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAEVUIQiJYkn
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxmYpu1wfir
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA3i4Mt3mgMC
228Please respect copyright.PENANA4TX6T9xb0f
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA8dRfy3H95r
228Please respect copyright.PENANAHnHbgCQjO9
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 228Please respect copyright.PENANASyN4ey5Vbi
228Please respect copyright.PENANA6ugmztno0X
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAHtL1dVLXpr
228Please respect copyright.PENANAW34bdqKEr3
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 228Please respect copyright.PENANANESvxto3SE
228Please respect copyright.PENANAYUHK44lTDh
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAjbvVgWfkS7
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANActeralNQuc
228Please respect copyright.PENANAh6KdNeHHWZ
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAnQusrZbukk
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA9P8BtLG31Y
228Please respect copyright.PENANAB0fuAZME0D
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAchW4DN2wAb
228Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6ly832NqJ
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAl0AK17qAGa
228Please respect copyright.PENANAf6gCnP8Kr1
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 228Please respect copyright.PENANAub6IYwDvP2
228Please respect copyright.PENANAaVxhCw00Ee
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAVr7CCrSiXA
228Please respect copyright.PENANAIBkNiXkS3r
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAJiGeR1xGh6
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAyjSr7wWMej
228Please respect copyright.PENANAJzgowUrH24
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAQWbAxPZc3o
228Please respect copyright.PENANAnbqrPizOwR
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAEIDfY2Q81j
228Please respect copyright.PENANAEsGaO6rU6K
"Soup?" 228Please respect copyright.PENANAq3GvWv81Eu
228Please respect copyright.PENANALivZdcmbnD
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 228Please respect copyright.PENANATjdTkpf4eJ
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAKlMz1LdJe2
228Please respect copyright.PENANAQaKblLJtYh
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAJYtL1iYONh
228Please respect copyright.PENANAyxtOIcZt12
I wasn't still human, was I? 228Please respect copyright.PENANAsTRvpDBeiq
228Please respect copyright.PENANAqWb6y7vnMe
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAfwc5chHKUB
228Please respect copyright.PENANAQlUibdJBfy
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAk7TSl7Nl5t
228Please respect copyright.PENANAMlbFNyxFBW
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 228Please respect copyright.PENANArO4mXM8cVy
228Please respect copyright.PENANAhnBRiX0lAc
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 228Please respect copyright.PENANACz0xdQz2LJ
228Please respect copyright.PENANAiX7C0xa8XD
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAMQN8CbZsM1
228Please respect copyright.PENANAvujHY7PQN9
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAVL0vZljGqX
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 228Please respect copyright.PENANA0T5OQEjmMI
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAydjyKoXMGg
228Please respect copyright.PENANAEEYyCMO8uq
"Did you...?" 228Please respect copyright.PENANAv4lipWx1Pi
228Please respect copyright.PENANAwlCIAOQQ48
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAi728FlnAvb
228Please respect copyright.PENANAIbQu712Ypw
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 228Please respect copyright.PENANABg4jupCXZb
228Please respect copyright.PENANAGQBbcTX1HK
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAxQ1KWLJLQ6
228Please respect copyright.PENANAarkuMZMKHP
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAN9MVCXsOYH
228Please respect copyright.PENANA0DdHEJesBL
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAyp1sy9ZmWK
228Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6sDJGwpLN
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAFE03ZQ19L5
228Please respect copyright.PENANA7KFJJ8CUdw
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAGivcBiSKM2
228Please respect copyright.PENANAS7K3pSW4Du
No. She couldn't see me here. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAGs4ayfCwbl
228Please respect copyright.PENANA797rpa1Oq7
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAtQYaabK59k
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxb2PKsWAPf
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAnt9s1BrLQP
228Please respect copyright.PENANAYqC7WUbQ2N
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 228Please respect copyright.PENANAh63OnjLBy8
228Please respect copyright.PENANAn6N5eB3dWm
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 228Please respect copyright.PENANACgQR3mHxhD
228Please respect copyright.PENANAxlOHUSlbKB
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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAzgBFzNvgS7
228Please respect copyright.PENANAwuGZF2iWl4
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAc1QHqU1tb0
228Please respect copyright.PENANALpkSIsCbxW
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAXjsECWccPd
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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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAefJOujCSSS
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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. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAzTxlAYt8Vi
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.228Please respect copyright.PENANAXmJ7p2IfZx
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 228Please respect copyright.PENANAyJdpwuJ5hd
It would be how it was.