340Please respect copyright.PENANA2sKm4AUako
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAVbqpTB4tl7
340Please respect copyright.PENANATUlxeKg8Gw
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANARVmBHBIoYy
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJkdJeJGg7j
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAMHFQlNQ3Mz
340Please respect copyright.PENANA8SdJG3C4N9
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAI3jke1vWJ7
340Please respect copyright.PENANAdGCJU1n8AX
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAdDQIrjxQCS
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgJ8Nd4GoUZ
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAOtxuh6gvSc
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMbwdGIQFe8
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAYJGmX1Y8tM
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnxhxpgQDqk
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAuLECD6aUOK
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmifoxGLzNW
Would she like it? Should I make more? 340Please respect copyright.PENANAWq1TRxjd2w
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMPxKAEOqWl
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA7u63Kb87No
340Please respect copyright.PENANApD89qtBL5S
One would do then. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAd0UNtyUBVi
340Please respect copyright.PENANAdruOFbglUx
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 340Please respect copyright.PENANARrHvJtoa3i
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA51VyOTTY0L
340Please respect copyright.PENANAq6oXLnTSYa
"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?" 340Please respect copyright.PENANACs5BCyjLW9
340Please respect copyright.PENANAu07qz29KnE
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAKANF9ZRz4F
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHq0eEGeRyg
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAE3dAxPjLfk
340Please respect copyright.PENANAdcTL4bX8Nq
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAtOQ7VTRHfJ
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA6ewLvIH4xE
340Please respect copyright.PENANANvkB23xmaM
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."340Please respect copyright.PENANAlDaNbvG4bw
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiSmEdcHLNQ
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAhWmndbGmnx
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbR2VDv9SVH
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAUkZtebJ6hA
340Please respect copyright.PENANAycm7J9MOH1
"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?" 340Please respect copyright.PENANArh2ZoLqlYs
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlRn2eVWK7i
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAovu6TE77dw
340Please respect copyright.PENANAs581N6ZqY6
"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!" 340Please respect copyright.PENANAhitBRRE0uq
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0WMQ0xeMQ3
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANApaFmHCJTSu
340Please respect copyright.PENANAg48Fbh0p2W
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAY8srrgsXbJ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAOFLMETAyGp
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAElBMEljyiO
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiW3bQhZWRi
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAxJ9fy5malv
340Please respect copyright.PENANAj3Wt1OSVY2
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAopOY6E0t0n
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhmURB86XME
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAPFLx3vJCvL
340Please respect copyright.PENANAEkJXA9l9Dp
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 340Please respect copyright.PENANAACszHeWMP7
340Please respect copyright.PENANAtvPqhbaTKZ
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANApK3HzRd5nk
340Please respect copyright.PENANAyDvWjysYYx
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAueHgco1Y8N
340Please respect copyright.PENANAxW37p87mHv
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAXcuu6nSMTI
340Please respect copyright.PENANANcyZpSHdbG
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? 340Please respect copyright.PENANArCFYJMThLK
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmu7fehqval
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.340Please respect copyright.PENANAikvawIemZd
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWf3a5zHYoA
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 340Please respect copyright.PENANANFozPfATZA
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA6hLcZiZlJp
340Please respect copyright.PENANADdDntw6Wcf
A stretch, but a believable one. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAwrFULk1lOV
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6OkQPVHJz9
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAoTM887Mvx0
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAFFK2foBoF2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlhRdOhxzkl
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAuqXA2NhUs4
340Please respect copyright.PENANAT2BWxiDmsI
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAdFkZhhyEVK
340Please respect copyright.PENANATSQjqhg3xm
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAaaEzVBQPIp
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAJCwwb6qTxD
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbUppaq50Jq
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 340Please respect copyright.PENANArayiyovhiG
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMvED3UzkZV
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAYEG7hRnuWQ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgVosdPyVQz
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAtaJWp2iOKm
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA6UCORfOigT
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAtESXUvibSz
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHXvLIJ2R0J
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAxA7HvJmvA5
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAWNlzZSJ0Fq
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAqYfySa75u7
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYKYWXK9hMw
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQfXUQrxAA8
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAIyHYT3OEWO
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAP3qtuIPjRZ
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAxtMvOM2wdF
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkWfu7H9wve
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA3P8NRSrYvR
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAm4UhMAYiPn
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcCBrV5RHX9
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAcvfQxxLpnn
340Please respect copyright.PENANAfGBXwzftng
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANArCXPrvach7
340Please respect copyright.PENANAq1KBB4UIFt
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAHsxv7Vf3Z7
340Please respect copyright.PENANA20IJyLKAIZ
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAyyKLJLcj4u
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGaivBNbZEp
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA1le0mJxyqC
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAI6kcbgXmWX
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcezp5Wtx6J
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAofhOb7jFUD
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA3iiBJGpuVv
340Please respect copyright.PENANAehoitRptgc
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAFFXnoovxRw
340Please respect copyright.PENANASy54O9T2fW
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAm2ItBTkZxN
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgh0c3wcf2n
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANArfxfDjKTut
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0KojWJcXMv
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAwrZnI8kphZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANA27zUAJVGcr
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAXDdslyHsAI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAK6HtDAJL9x
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAOb09XvdWXe
340Please respect copyright.PENANAIpDA1vHeKF
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 340Please respect copyright.PENANASIlSIyr0M0
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMxN4bNp9vN
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAtoLBKIxEVt
340Please respect copyright.PENANAW3dCM3YKoU
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZnDJq21KW
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAj3kVsjzxFM
340Please respect copyright.PENANAM4EYlgt2S4
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAvWJQzK4dVc
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUbruiVvpN5
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAOQ6qWkgyJQ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmJsNx70IaP
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANADE9Wqef7wc
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZOMW9w8iMf
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAyBQSJ86mwt
340Please respect copyright.PENANAo1qLFTyPNJ
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA08RBXsl9tW
340Please respect copyright.PENANASRaYUmcXFM
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANALicSNbrw7T
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3iEJvh2ekL
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAeIMI4wSJtD
340Please respect copyright.PENANAtPTlbZYhFq
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANABsZI1o1Nvn
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvjfy0ToU8q
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANALTgvP7Fnpc
340Please respect copyright.PENANAAXZME4iR2c
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAeCjtCajoIE
340Please respect copyright.PENANAeBsZ94cI0n
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 340Please respect copyright.PENANALGXer0kMkA
340Please respect copyright.PENANA8N7c00fb9M
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAUnSQKMqfTE
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0BMw5Of2mY
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAAkVXYFiETa
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGVwYqhYvCP
Was it that time already?340Please respect copyright.PENANAKumIE1icFZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAr7RAf8RJ0W
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 340Please respect copyright.PENANADRHwk3pJo1
340Please respect copyright.PENANAM90Wm75eq2
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAV3iGCsPtqs
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZr6NaJgaIk
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAUch8h9zlYm
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKfZgv8skoB
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAAfd3GYC77d
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvsWsdfMJbO
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANATDjYmzqWrW
340Please respect copyright.PENANADSGU5W06hf
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 340Please respect copyright.PENANAfHn54phL20
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlVpRYG0GgK
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAKYFIuHYLdx
340Please respect copyright.PENANAyxZLnvrmzk
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 340Please respect copyright.PENANABw3edeEvm8
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhs8Gy7vUYo
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 340Please respect copyright.PENANABp2y3L8EXs
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA9E8OmsJumE
340Please respect copyright.PENANAw8eu0HWXAE
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAurGLeOsHxX
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA73CIqJCJhb
340Please respect copyright.PENANAx0fliP2sDC
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAtSIJXuJnJq
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiadrlyH81M
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAib2z6w3bcg
340Please respect copyright.PENANAI7QeQ099pP
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 340Please respect copyright.PENANAgkWlhLxcMS
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1RZStmWY9n
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAe4xDf7NsRL
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJz4Tr1VAGB
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAJvdFqujiSO
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAYLMaTalOMG
340Please respect copyright.PENANADuJx8T7qlJ
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAyLDZj125bj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAyxCssl5bSN
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 340Please respect copyright.PENANACUgHgAgQNo
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvu9K79Kx9c
"Soup?" 340Please respect copyright.PENANAaBy21RuU2B
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZwjvMqmtxu
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 340Please respect copyright.PENANABzARlEC0gr
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA7WqoLkK7qz
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1p7cdjGYgi
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAvbClxHwoGx
340Please respect copyright.PENANAyIdNjgWXI1
I wasn't still human, was I? 340Please respect copyright.PENANARGqJAXvaJp
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKlK99b1kB7
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAhQOupDU0xi
340Please respect copyright.PENANAx5kwcjMK1a
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 340Please respect copyright.PENANApI7eEhV0Ay
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqMglKWTT2O
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 340Please respect copyright.PENANAfGAuD8ZkHt
340Please respect copyright.PENANAoOhU0ROZRn
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAovADFbl7Jn
340Please respect copyright.PENANAN9RcYSAejm
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAKc4SbK9DgW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVeyOzc4kY8
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAKidVYZmoeb
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAkbHboQfYja
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAlPCGa40XWs
340Please respect copyright.PENANAflqLaIRxv2
"Did you...?" 340Please respect copyright.PENANAsU8EjVoIzS
340Please respect copyright.PENANARaO3Nm1LBD
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAVJ4FXvz08D
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmCFTriX46E
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAvnRjSiKnbX
340Please respect copyright.PENANALbselizTDU
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 340Please respect copyright.PENANACbX0HyQg9h
340Please respect copyright.PENANArcqTbyV0rA
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA8UKDsYfJLh
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqFgYbcVefA
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA0dkVh3SmK4
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKowgDxfpbq
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANASq12r6Irez
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgTyCClz0hs
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA37P4hd3c7P
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqQ2BpkW3Vr
No. She couldn't see me here. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAybxBigAzCn
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlpdPDIMkWN
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAFbAVvdJKZD
340Please respect copyright.PENANAuwxj88ifKY
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAGomYc4JVPy
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnnn1mmDJ35
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 340Please respect copyright.PENANADfen5uI2l5
340Please respect copyright.PENANAyOFE1ajpWh
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 340Please respect copyright.PENANA6Pc9U1Xwfb
340Please respect copyright.PENANAOPINei8v6Q
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAhe6QDut3TC
340Please respect copyright.PENANAr5rq7fCtPs
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAZNioUgFaPI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVXsPwFk6yt
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 340Please respect copyright.PENANATtDN6PLR3u
340Please respect copyright.PENANAM05iBpw7wi
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAbFcpljH2a5
340Please respect copyright.PENANARWZoZx6qwg
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAszwWgCnInA
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAA5Pv9J1XWF
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAkCukXOxFhw
It would be how it was.