264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHijmyL3Bc
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9By3a1lN2s
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnwRUrnpvC
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTQV3nCXUn
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9CGZJtJtn
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw5FMWmvCE
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExDf1E6cvt
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgOnXFLNHN
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXQengY6V7
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VS7ZUBRCK
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOV2ORQ7PV
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CcmiwI9AI
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGVuv1tYkX
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyquCy7RlQf
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1bfLjzCX9
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWUZg4xT7Q
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDnHdVdFCS
Would she like it? Should I make more? 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQsvRe0hbt
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhTsyKczcA
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9V2BtSdZS
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTayiBB2wb
One would do then. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l32a7fpq0
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC06tTaHVKy
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtbFyCyNu0
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EQ4XFp8rU
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfEyQvnlWs
"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?" 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0rAmbGftr
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aCNyDsKtc
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04reSTG9ZL
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFZZDHGh8B
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0oTvL3jCk
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EcGFH9fvw
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoBiWy1BuI
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TUv8kp3Hc
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3nNdKv5lP
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0iVUsO9XZ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr2ekmGlG9
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ5tTnd6o2
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU3EFU2yKM
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwcFaakT99
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwjn1yg2U7
"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?" 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37zMVBBPCP
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG8QD4Tciu
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp8yGjEBbn
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtGBxGiXhE
"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!" 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgAVLAT5co
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWzzlLFU7o
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEeQPtgPqm
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtgLI7h7a4
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCuOXlOPQc
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGeOrdF5iB
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMslTP55Q3
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzmZH098Mh
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVxhJIeMKz
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ0vKbli4M
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv4Dgy8R10
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKUPJqnnSf
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8QRwFEuD2
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKDOSFvgf1
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx8vVinRy5
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf332YiTdUg
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEihgwYZYJZ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeuYU5DKkb
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBe7i5mNKw
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg73qd2CZ2
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtbGF7plcQ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ykvxv99oQ
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? 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NxIMsCaGA
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlpwzhZX6S
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BnaBzU0Pp
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsROPxLge8
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfoUIWgDK6
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wyUTvEy5J
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Chnv2MS7
A stretch, but a believable one. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv4uXPt7tO
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78abr0xlsJ
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTAMzF2xQs
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyXrUTsEYy
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZdfN9ouZm
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmfaaI5jFC
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG90q9UvCSN
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQpAovxij1
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv7cuJj7P1
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzo29U2lLk
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMEO2yLUq8
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjbwXXkZeO
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGDxhXhA5E
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6WjrErpWX
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OIPI42hTz
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMlC8d22Ex
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjG5bWA8Lp
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QuegyUWru
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzDisiOSwE
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ1h93poDM
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoH553w7rs
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyweaiKBMC
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicuGI1evIu
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.
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5BUCHm6Uf
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJMJQbSI9c
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HbadV4yBQ
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzHafmr9mW
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5GTOdCDjf
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kgl3f4tSh
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8pIcPYeHb
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRgea4vhig
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mmx6ChKlM
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAR259nmAG
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzd5jQ3JHz
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7nt6eg6zs
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrHGOsl6Io
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR5GYyjW2d
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMehzS2MQf
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmUN4yyUQi
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuzv65DjpJ
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3GlVT7xNJ
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL6xSSAUOE
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsssEZuyqMc
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvUuPcrgUV
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9U2VaSZNf
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnOvyMbjhr
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0iRKKcrZW
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn0XChUBDG
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrxD6lQh8K
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ198BQVoEfE
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sUHcLtYLw
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDRnaIaao0
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0puqUtvA87
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZNmIGJEGR
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12K6YQ9Fq4
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZolgfXaoj4
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAbPIjvCOO
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw0Wkz12Gr
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQgdkdGFOM
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjGNb1l03g
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpcTaG1Ctm
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaoCWOGpFh
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzFdZIjXCL
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1lWU3Vbxa
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiU8Aj6vns
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpdBmeGFPw
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBoya6foTA
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWz0Oiqawl
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4emU72m5b
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2adHlNLINv
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48Eq1Mh0FU
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GPsV5B7uN
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vrAUHL22R
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkfhpeQNow
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbSZdWBjAa
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj66TDtBRUC
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSU1qwTqJG
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNAmbjSh3i
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLsMptrEJl
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd71ARXUEk
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4IgqAj7ak
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BTlnGQo3a
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wyOi9o76r
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP85s3vaKz
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO6UME9VXA
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHudDQlpd7s
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz44dXiFhm
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mugZvaedt
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDOhoys3RD
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypDjEW24eK
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCRGFbjHz5
Was it that time already?264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgeUZ813UV
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNaAfbXF2s
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0UzyUGKIW
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaZhMzOpjQ
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxggDO7H9i
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISnle9diR6
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgwvPX38UA
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXRWOlxxay
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwTTBUDWBt
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjzkYaBwsB
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFdRgr9jvp
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegE9IRzc9x
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTfxh6pM75
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBdt1zDKc6
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmVZQLpIfT
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvqPRyzaLL
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zgws0yajZ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHvhgK7WoE
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6qehCoA0H
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQBFaOr9w5
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaaBk5md1f
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDfrKuX281
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX1cIHMXSy
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiunLoReBP
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZi1ty4Trv
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk5zfZYTNn
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbVXFGwXlf
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo54dKqEyrs
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPRKWzZGln
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdEkK7S8n9
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTKDRCa0xz
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4VxP9dJQ5
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj7SdIH7Xq
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3LyXoZaSM
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMnSDbQ1Nf
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDJxseMsQ6
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEFmFgT1nv
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9v0aDCheM
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw67qykqCk
"Soup?" 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkUCyf5BR0
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC4Tuw7z8f
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYED8lWaeA
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgcirVTbWP
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIU26tsp6Y
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiMCw2Lh6X
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBcGU4wI4L
I wasn't still human, was I? 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfGSyvgLjv
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG6ghJLmXG
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0lJVl7m9N
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm1Gawed5i
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrMH4Qbfb0
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajpXcVPU56
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L0EyvIVo9
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvkrjRR6Tv
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1OZh0lOiK
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eYOk1BqfT
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtUU5hdO57
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC0n3KDtHg
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZcwkgybRh
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB5NoYHpFj
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvvbVR71r3
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgb11DfxOs
"Did you...?" 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiVy0V6Kqj
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHVI4JZxOx
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdym3RhfYD
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PL9XPdDZj
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5BO07YGv4
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o4hcpW50P
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJznQ75J5c
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmlTZWfkja
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan3bEft35b
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmZu9VSsXw
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxaEMohuN4
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQjAszjAAl
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM1X5XUic4
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZk1GILDuE
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTOsM4cf7D
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8f9uG0x9m
No. She couldn't see me here. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXj07zafHQ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwBE5YAtYM
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQVFKDb36J
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIEZ85s60D
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbRWmMoIy9
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKSv9oNIbO
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOFtzchoXz
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx6I3iVMb5
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MW6nx3qcL
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMmrhppuNV
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HhHjjoXqI
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXkzbC6NCV
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y6Lji5xC7
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK6GDh20Ug
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuBb5ArmaQ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k67agMJLr
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVonXl7hj77
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAjsQqCeFV
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmeoUqpPgV
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nxuHdFZB6
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlnBBptbPX
It would be how it was.
