338Please respect copyright.PENANAcJVqdlBMJ7
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAaIaGAK5AOC
338Please respect copyright.PENANA63JTGttXPf
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA3hqKvV7WyI
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6oQLP6cYH4
Last time was a crumpled can stuffed with plucked wildflowers. I could do better this time. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAEZtiM2bj4r
338Please respect copyright.PENANArujvy6PdCd
My hunt turned up an empty paper cup still with the plastic lid and straw attached. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAxkohzXXDl7
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKg7uxemxtS
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA1THJpw3pWR
338Please respect copyright.PENANAIuCKeGWr9h
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANADdaCWBwScg
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPKh2gRXchJ
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAhWjU9NT6Vr
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsdI7YCjoXn
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAXKF91dtYVI
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtx9xDLZ5xf
Would she like it? Should I make more? 338Please respect copyright.PENANAvqGiU6xGZV
338Please respect copyright.PENANAwQEGIMrp2m
I scanned the roadside to see a bottlecap embedded into the gravel there. There was a plastic bag further to my right. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAJRCZAOlF0o
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6n04jMuxGD
One would do then. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA2XJhvK6fZK
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVcmjs2MsK3
Bartie was already there when I made my travel with the straw gently gripped around my teeth. 338Please respect copyright.PENANANAVkqUlqGK
He held a magazine today that was folded on the crossword page. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAEqUxv8ipDj
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiQ52aDVfxb
"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?" 338Please respect copyright.PENANAue0fZlEnnI
338Please respect copyright.PENANA8lFtjcYSiT
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAhb8Js4JvzM
338Please respect copyright.PENANAgljkelnsWE
She was going somewhere. She never wore that red jacket any other time. It was her best one. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAhPi161pLlx
338Please respect copyright.PENANAlRzAW15Pyc
I raced along the tracks towards her and watched as she wheeled out her scooter to haul up the stand. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAlhvNKX0UYV
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAnI20Bi2nun
338Please respect copyright.PENANApi01sOjbMp
"I've got to go" she apologised through her saddened tone "It’s not much, but I think it should be delicious."338Please respect copyright.PENANAqdWr5QOYSp
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQjBrL5s3tj
Wasn't she taking any for herself? The crate was only filled with parcels again. She didn't have room to fit food. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAReccHGOKaS
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsjMqvrvENP
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAiKQ7Rrl9Ox
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7LO6Xg5eh6
"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?" 338Please respect copyright.PENANALJM6nNkaXI
338Please respect copyright.PENANALCQeXNsihV
No. It was only for you to enjoy. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA0ljPdXyFr2
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUUH0Lvn5rf
"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!" 338Please respect copyright.PENANA3X8dNHiTnL
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHLfvFsy9Cs
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAQs3Ry3PgyI
338Please respect copyright.PENANAn4OlVzSRgu
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAACrmKYcDGC
338Please respect copyright.PENANANlqNn2gXYc
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA2yS0xl09RT
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5sVbWRUgVx
Her figure fumbled with her parcels and the flower before jumping aboard with only mere moments to spare. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAvYmnUrBtFr
338Please respect copyright.PENANA83qLJACdPl
The train blared its horn then peeled from the station to quickly gather speed past the house. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAX6zdpNQASu
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6JSBnwmXaq
Missy slammed open a window, waving out to me. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAEnw7QeN7UX
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzuJkfQbTxb
"I'll see you tonight, Soup!" she called out "sorry!" 338Please respect copyright.PENANAbYVCeIBDjX
338Please respect copyright.PENANA8kxp3neSPK
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAi7u3JnM5EO
338Please respect copyright.PENANANpipY3YMG6
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANACyPg57A6BL
338Please respect copyright.PENANAb8ZON0Fn9i
Not her best. She must have put everything into that nice one last night. It was a compromise she was willing to take. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAB24ozOc7Qw
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhoyPEwaktW
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? 338Please respect copyright.PENANA91p3qSQjG5
338Please respect copyright.PENANAoIcluZBrt0
I peered back to the house she had left in a hurry instead.338Please respect copyright.PENANAL1Z2Wx1yfE
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKwhizUJzuf
She'd benefit more if I prepared something for her to come home to. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA2JSSmmksM6
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAPZ2cOFwA92
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0TjEBQ2bL
A stretch, but a believable one. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAcO4tAzFY8Y
338Please respect copyright.PENANAR3ggoHoDjs
I knew Missy didn't have locks on her windows. I could climb through the kitchen one and start there. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAkbgKRdBX65
She always locked her front and back doors. There was no use trying that. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAUqcIyu2UNT
338Please respect copyright.PENANAC2hK6iPxVc
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA7ckg4Rr5Oi
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEyVlOHMBoS
After managing to unfold myself from the kitchen bench, I stood there to grimace at the mess left behind. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAC4VoRsje9M
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3EAODaFwMw
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAjQUNVoMig8
Utensils littered the cold water I dipped my claws into, and splatters of soup were still speckled across the oven behind me. 338Please respect copyright.PENANADglZcNb2yt
338Please respect copyright.PENANAaxEdYLnilX
She'd be so pleased she wouldn't have to tackle this when she got back in her exhausted state. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA903MyWzKDm
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7mAm7ma8aV
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAhzcpZG28QW
338Please respect copyright.PENANAIDHMFucLxI
I shivered in anticipation at the thought of warm water and soothing soap sliding over my skin. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAq1Mu3VzkGj
It was a luxury I hadn't had since I decided to live like this. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAPxFJYW2KbA
People weren't exactly throwing bars of soap or bathtubs on the side of the road either. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA6TD9gtSUXZ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAveaPLX2VqN
Finding the shower was easy in her little home with barely any rooms within it. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAw48AS4xDoj
The kitchen and loungeroom beside it were one combined area by the front door. 338Please respect copyright.PENANANfzkSJP2Zs
The door to the left was her sewing room. The one beside that was her bedroom. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAOHuOoWIm8W
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAqIHNfqPXAt
338Please respect copyright.PENANAymfP4l1CZD
I didn't know how dirty I was until I reformed my skin and stepped into the warmth billowing clouds of heat around me. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAAN4KQ7PIs0
The water ran like mud from my body I scrubbed at and slathered with all sorts of food-scented products. 338Please respect copyright.PENANACohnfyotl3
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA9trVqZ8XQ9
338Please respect copyright.PENANAb3xHFwrFSw
Missy didn't own any clothing that would fit me, and I wasn't about to go digging through her belongings to make sure. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAiqR9dM1xtc
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANARMjWSmHvyN
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXaGO1CVTmp
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAwEf88J3cKl
338Please respect copyright.PENANAg1u0pszRMQ
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAdhHn3tGBY4
338Please respect copyright.PENANAxnctWJFxdq
Her couch in the living room had the crushed blanket on it refolded and draped in the middle. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA3rOWV1wBef
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPYjJ9UWdlj
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAHYuq1FEEwc
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZWd3GMVQON
The back door was thrown open to let through the fresh breeze and filter out the stale air. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAu9qGNNMEoa
It swept through the home and back out the windows I peeled up to help move the positive energy through the home. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAg6TYRksmXc
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyqFPrjufTJ
The garden a few steps from the back stairs was looking choked with weeds. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAah6ckkMIPt
I snatched up the basket at the backdoor and headed for the rows of vegetables drooping under the sunlight. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAgR3Y87iIxg
338Please respect copyright.PENANAV467NTeIIJ
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAcXM1b8Ecq4
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjraW9ZeC1Q
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAif7yIZP27f
338Please respect copyright.PENANAOqErRNHERm
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAmTOYSTmZ0g
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjYrSdH0YsS
Looked like rabbits. I'd have to deal with them before she baited them and tainted their meat. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAG0RPJnIl1h
338Please respect copyright.PENANATAf7kuB8E7
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAiFsaSJssQa
338Please respect copyright.PENANARCDEGaXBxF
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANA6fO81S8xpW
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvdqINwoZCc
The stove clicked and snapped to life to steadily boil the soups I poured into the pot over it. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAWMlw4OmSyI
338Please respect copyright.PENANATb1FRKQbsX
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAJeXB6bYIw6
338Please respect copyright.PENANA2gpWDkkBFx
Music thumped through the silence when I stepped back to admire my work. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAG6of870bHQ
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAG4H1pVNEg2
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjW6fnxet0Z
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANATSBMTlaNuw
338Please respect copyright.PENANA8eTFodbJYL
Saving the soup from the heat, I poured myself a steaming bowl and nestled into her couch to enjoy a job well done. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAzMltGtTWEH
338Please respect copyright.PENANAS6oIHgYslh
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANADEFV73K5YO
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3mcwKTPb7E
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAxIjCTXVJhR
338Please respect copyright.PENANA40rnJq5GdC
I smiled around my spoon, savouring every bit of warmth slipping over my tongue. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAE6PQPnWnIn
338Please respect copyright.PENANAos9bwgmngg
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAoSDOrVTGJs
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzJY7Hs7vvP
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAvzZII8CrSg
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEsZdocD2lS
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAYexMUeWsHB
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdVLvOtwWdt
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA9C27cz0hwj
338Please respect copyright.PENANAt1xXpdtK8E
Missy usually never sold her dresses. I was expecting disappointment that I couldn't chase away. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA68FrRSS2FE
338Please respect copyright.PENANAd19PsHeKBD
"One day, Soup" I muttered to myself between another spoonful I gazed down at. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAIsjSZpc0PM
338Please respect copyright.PENANAOBJYpYS2KX
A droning outside caught my attention and lifted my head from the bowl I cupped. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA5yRZaRkmHi
338Please respect copyright.PENANAP5WC3RvZk7
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA7FQqz0fNzF
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXxkjz1e3o4
Was it that time already?338Please respect copyright.PENANAjI1CfjaE6B
338Please respect copyright.PENANA2fzJb1adxb
I wasn't expecting her home yet. The night sky was darkened outside and already starting to poke its stars through the rippling sky. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAsLlDEOZkwU
338Please respect copyright.PENANA8jB3C5dCYk
Missy was in her way. I could hear her scooter whining for rest. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAkerSasSU6Z
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyIKDiZPApS
Slamming the windows shut, I glanced around for anything else I had left out of place. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA1V2EuJGkN6
338Please respect copyright.PENANASTv1IvFF6N
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAHs8rzMTWn3
338Please respect copyright.PENANAeWR98VeL6x
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAMithW2IGzF
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHBteuw7VWH
Did I have time to clean the pot? What about my bowl? 338Please respect copyright.PENANARRJQ4MMpzD
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3ktHVrsCpU
The scooter was getting closer and making my heart hammer in panic. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAfk1Kpo0TBs
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKt0P6qo1Vq
I couldn't be seen here. Not like this. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA0QUPxGOigc
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUvdLKlxejm
Scrubbing frantically at the bowl, I managed to rub it clean and toss it into the cupboard with the rest. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA8WdtWmS59y
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAWJNlIAMo95
338Please respect copyright.PENANAH0PBZkA3cx
Dropping the pot clumsily, I bolted for the back door. 338Please respect copyright.PENANApciE7PWLsX
I only stopped when I realised that the radio was still singing out as Missy leaned her scooter up in the front yard. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAxTRvdntlJh
338Please respect copyright.PENANAf3B1Z6IOBK
Dashing back, I snapped the radio off and was scurrying for the back door while frantic feet hurried for the front. 338Please respect copyright.PENANASvG14PNULE
338Please respect copyright.PENANA2mceoRHdd4
I hid behind the door I closed behind me, trying to catch my breath that had escaped me in my desperate state. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAzI7lJCguIO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHAlyEgRjiw
"Hello?" Missy called out when she stepped inside "is someone there?" 338Please respect copyright.PENANAdxCMrBtDVh
338Please respect copyright.PENANAa6AS6gSXod
She had heard the radio. Maybe she had heard me too? I hadn't exactly been silent in my rampage to remain unseen. 338Please respect copyright.PENANARxtBOel5YP
338Please respect copyright.PENANAMwDBItTDKR
Her rushing feet barrelling for the back door told me she had. 338Please respect copyright.PENANABm6ksGnH5O
I jolted from it, squatting in the dirt as I tore at my skin that dropped the towel at my trembling feet. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAbcTQeU9qRn
338Please respect copyright.PENANAv5vYzCbpNh
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAcwN71sxVJb
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJPhrmED4MD
I had forgot to turn them off. My heart dropped at my overlooked mistake that was so blatantly obvious. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAen0GeETb2P
338Please respect copyright.PENANAW5a4abrPdM
"Soup?" 338Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZevlqYY7v
338Please respect copyright.PENANALJApC6cIeC
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying to catch my breath without making it obvious I was struggling. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA3UMkPuayuI
I was surprised she couldn't hear my heart hammering in my throat as I tried to swallow it back down. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAP1TzPQQJYR
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVsEsmshFbS
Her brown eyes didn't leave mine. They were flooded with worry and doubt. 338Please respect copyright.PENANABbM9TnVeQa
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsHNMaIDcBP
I wasn't still human, was I? 338Please respect copyright.PENANAralLyuqoRw
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5AhbskP38f
Quickly, I scanned my hands to see claws in the place of nails. They pricked at my teeth that were shattered into points. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAZVaQSR4LCO
338Please respect copyright.PENANApFSgA99NoA
Missy looked back into the house with a frown, holding a thumb to it. 338Please respect copyright.PENANASEWeaWxXRz
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkR15nRlbX2
"Was that..." she hesitated, checking again "...you?" 338Please respect copyright.PENANAo5Gc91IEvB
338Please respect copyright.PENANA45dDrv4SVR
She wasn't sure. All she could do was check the cleaned house then cock her head back at me. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAoTdlccek8J
338Please respect copyright.PENANANcax7WCPOf
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANASj1tYCcWIo
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWz7W0sX2hX
She was milling over her own silent conclusions, and I didn't like it. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAGoHFM7OoVK
She looked at me different. Her eyes probed for answers she didn't want. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAebbOMOHrCx
She swallowed and tried to steady her voice that wavered when it came out at barely a whisper. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAtL4MrkAijC
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWvSNR92Pfz
"Did you...?" 338Please respect copyright.PENANAIgtP0QAFDH
338Please respect copyright.PENANAOu8kkFUjcW
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAS1GCL9sfeA
338Please respect copyright.PENANAw7yXZ0jpUO
I had made it so obvious in my hope not to see the repercussions. It was meant to fall on someone else, not me. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAhvGt31ncmz
338Please respect copyright.PENANA12PpBxKd9X
I wasn't meant to be here. I couldn't be here. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAp2OT2IpZey
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHWDThwOlEO
I had to get out. I didn't want to see her fear flitting at me or listen to the way her breathing trembled. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAiFPbBNLC5n
338Please respect copyright.PENANAlBsZGW6tEG
The front door was still open in Missy's pursuit for her intruder. I'd go for that. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAgvLgg8WmyD
338Please respect copyright.PENANAx7Z2fDOURK
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAao5cKwtgqk
338Please respect copyright.PENANAh6muw8cOgV
"Soup!" she called out, arm outstretched. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAnTUsT2dc3M
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbMGF8oiiIY
No. She couldn't see me here. 338Please respect copyright.PENANA4aUhAWQXXL
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZ15Y8mnCsw
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAKBaj9BlIyV
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiPXV02JkJ5
Missy gripped the fence, scanning blindly with tears in her eyes. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAN6EsNfZMBM
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXiuFngUed7
"Soup!" her voice called, shaking "wait! You don't have to go!" 338Please respect copyright.PENANA6JjZRyocSA
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXiNBztwc0b
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand to try and stifle the sob that slipped through. 338Please respect copyright.PENANALkA7W3idAO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAS5LTWPIAHA
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAl1L7Tt6Sjq
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbYeIi523Sa
I moved, turning for the safety of the East. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAtJ9jCQR0c9
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkrpsSpFZMS
"Soup?" Missy sniffled at the rustling of the grass, her head lifting in my direction. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAPniFiCdcjj
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUUVeEwLQXJ
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAVivexFUwsY
338Please respect copyright.PENANAC2qtcAcJ44
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAErVMWHmX3w
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAIBeldWu8Li
I'd love her silently and she would dream of bright futures where everyone wore her dresses. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAMex5xGxAjt
It would be how it was.