The Dumpster
At the alley's end stood a large green dumpster. The lid was heavy. Grunting, I pried it open a crack. A pungent stench of rot assaulted me. Wrinkling my nose, I shoved the threadbare pink bunny deep inside. Its soft body landed on a pile of unidentifiable black refuse, swallowed instantly by grimy shadows. Watching it vanish brought a brief, twisted satisfaction. There. Her precious treasure is gone. Now she knows how it feels!* The lid slammed shut with a metallic *clang*, echoing sharply in the silent alley.
Lily's Knock
Brushing my hands off like a job well done, I sneaked back, the vengeful glow still flickering. The next day dragged by, dull and confined. Bored, I lay on the floor flipping through an old comic when I heard faint shuffling outside my door. Then, a timid knock. Tap... tap... tap. I stayed silent. Moments later, slightly louder knocks came. Annoyed, I snapped, "Who is it?!" Silence. Then, the doorknob turned softly, the door cracking open.
Crumpled Savings
Lily's small face peered timidly through the gap. Her eyes were puffy, the bump likely still visible. She stayed framed in the doorway, watching me. I stared back, silent, yesterday's anger lingering. After a tense pause, she thrust a tightly clenched fist forward. "F... for you." Her voice was thin, hesitant. "What?" Lily extended her hand and opened her palm. On it lay crumpled paper bills and warm coins, damp with sweat from her grip — her carefully saved pocket money.
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