"Don't Be Sad"
It wasn't much, maybe enough for candy or a small toy. "Mom yelled... punished you yesterday," Lily whispered, eyes fixed on the floor. "Did... did she hit your head too?" My heart lurched violently. The vengeful thrill from tossing Bunny evaporated, replaced by a hollow, strange emptiness. "Take this," she pushed her hand further, her voice soft, pleading. "Buy... buy something you like." She paused, glanced up swiftly. In her eyes was an expression I'd never seen before—an awkward, tentative sympathy. "Don't be sad."
Race to the Dumpster
Her words pierced the icy hardness inside me like a needle. That small pile of money glinted faintly in her palm. A wave of overwhelming panic seized me—*Bunny! The bunny I threw away!* I scrambled off the floor like I'd been burned, pushing past Lily blocking the doorway without a word, tearing desperately outside. Lily stumbled back against the doorframe with a startled "Oof!" I didn't look back. One thought consumed me: *Hurry! Find Bunny!
The Empty Dumpster
I sprinted out, raced to the alley's end. My heart hammered against my ribs. Gasping for air, I heaved the heavy metal lid open. It screeched. Inside—empty! Only a few rotting lettuce leaves and dark stains clung to the bottom, reeking of decay. The old pink bunny, its half-ear, was utterly gone. Clutching the cold metal lid rim, I stood frozen, cold dread washing over me.
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