Pity.

"Oh, why are you crying?" I asked the little girl. The urge grew.

"My little dress is ripped." She answered handing me a glittery purple dress.

"You poor thing...come with me. I'll sew it back together."

"Really?! You'd do that for me?!"

"Yeah, sure. Come on. What's your name?"

"Poppy" She replied popping her lips at every letter.

"What a cute name for a pretty girl like you!"

We both skipped to my house, which was only four steps away. Poppy sang a sweet melody as I unlocked the door.

"Just sit on the couch and feel free to eat the candy!!" I said as I pointed to a bowl at the table.

"WOW! YOU'RE THE BEST!" Poppy answered with a toothless grin.

I walked off exuberantly with the dress clenched in my hands. I laughed and sang until, I reached the sewing machine. I sewed and sewed for what seemed like hours. Poppy ran and laughed all around the house. She seemed so happy....the urge grew bigger.

At last, after one more hour, I finished the purple dress and added some pink lace to it. Poppy came wide-eyed with joy.

"You fixed it! No, no. It's EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE!!"

"You're welcome." I felt it grow even bigger.

Poppy slipped into the dress and played princess. I watched and laughed. Then, the time seemed right.

"Poppy! Come here, sweetheart!" I yelled sweetly. She came at a sprint breathless and happy. Perfect, I thought. My hand reached for her and her expression was very puzzled. It was and always has been the cutest, priceless expression. I eased closer to her and grabbed the pink lace. The purple dress instantly fell to pieces on the ground. Just like I planned.

For a moment, Poppy looked shocked. There she was, in a dull, gray undershirt and black tights. The dress collapsed at her tiny feet. Then, one...two...three tears fell below her tiny lashes. It soon became millions followed by a scream, no. A wail of pain.

"W-w-why did you do that?!" She screamed so loudly. "THAT WAS MY FAVORITE DRESS!!!!"

I smiled a sly grin and carried what used to be the purple dress in my hand. I laughed so hard that it hurt. Poppy stared in horror. They all look so cute when they do that. I threw the dress in a heap with the other toys and items.


 * "Pity" I cooed.**