Author's Note: This is the story of my Original characters Scarlot, Gristen and Lorian. They belong to me. The Henchcat Rosco belongs to my friend. The rest belong to T.S. Elliot.
The brisk morning air carried the delicious smells of freshly made food to my nose. Licking my lips I picked up the pace to keep up with mother. She was carrying a good chunk of trout, our breakfast from our human friends this morning. Nuzzling into her side she smiled. "Beautiful morning isn't it?"
I nod in agreement, it was gorgeous. Though early, humans were already rushing off to their jobs and filling the streets.
A chill runs down my spine, a feeling that is a bit disconcerting but easy enough to explain with unpredictable English weather. "How much further is it?" I ask mother as I wrap my arms tightly around my midriff in an attempt to stop the chills.
"Not much further now." She replied warmly as she shifted the weight of the large trout.
Another shiver ran down my spine. Why couldn't I stop this feeling? It was a chilly morning but not that cold! With a small shake of my head I shrank closer to mothers side, feeling her warmth against me. Then she froze. Blinking I looked up at her to find her eyes serious and ears strained. Had she heard something? Looking around all I saw was the yawning darkness of an alley in front of us. For a moment everything was quiet and still. Then things happened very, very quickly.
My eyes were drawn to the alley before us. My vision had just adjusted to see a large stack of pallets come crashing down around mother and I. Like the moron I was I simply stood there, eyes wide, knees locked.
"Scarlot! Move!" Mother seemed to be speaking from the end of a very long tunnel. Then I felt her weight crash into me as she shoved me out of the way.
We hit the ground rolling. With my eyes closed I kept my arms up over my head and curled up tightly. Vaguelly I felt mother torn from my side. When I finally skid to a stop, in a daze I looked around for mother. Shaking my head to clear it, I saw the large chunk of wood pinning her legs.
Getting to my hands and knee's I barely had time to register she was in the road. Our eyes met and everything went silent before the impact. Suddenly, mother was gone. Then, through the silence I heard laughter, then a scream.
With a jolt Scarlot bolted up. Awakened by her own scream. Cold sweat sticking to her fur, eyes wide and wild. Panting she sat back and put a hand to her face.
Scarlottin eeped as she realized she nearly headbutted her younger brother. She wiped away the sleep from her eyes with the back of a paw.
Both her younger siblings, Gristen and Lorian were hovering over her. Their naturally excited expressions creased with worry and anxiety, "Are you ok Scarlot?" Lorian asked softly.
Clearing her throat she scooted back and sat up straight. "Yeah...Just...A bad dream." She said, reaching out and ruffing up their headfur. "I'm fine, go back to sleep." Looking out through one of the many gaps in their crate she settled back down, noting the sky already becoming lighter.
Gristen and Lorien looked at each other before curling up together against her. For a long while she waited, shifting a little now and then, her mind racing. Eventually her siblings fell asleep, their low, deep breathing calming but not enough to send her back into sleep. The gorey image of her mothers body torn and smeared across the pavement still burned fresh in her mind. Even though it had been a month since the incident. The horrible song of her scream and some maniacle laughter playing in her ears.
The sun marked roughly 10 a.m. when Lorian lifted her head up and scrubbed the sleep from her eyes. "You didn't sleep anymore did you Scarlot?" The young queen was very wise for her age but still very excitable when the situation called for it.
The sound of his sister speaking awakened Gristen who grumbled and pushed her onto her side before tryign to sleep again.
Scarlottin shook her head and ruffled her sister's headfur before chuckling softly as Gristen.
"Its morning anyway. Couldn't sleep." Scarlot said sitting up and stretching, making her smile as genuine as possible she stood. "Come on sleepy head, time to go get some breakfast!" With a small nudge of her foot Gristen finally sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Not without grumbling about it being to early.
Lorian was ready for the day, she was much more of a morning person than her twin. She pushed Scarlots bad night from her mind, it had happened quite often after...Well, after. She didn't allow herself to think of it. It was a tough couple weeks after but Scarlot had taken up their mothers role pretty well. Though she seemed incredibly wary of the road. Lorian wondered if that was part of it, she hadn't gone into detail, only saying there had been an accident. Shrugging it off she scampered ahead as they neared the deli.
Scarlottin raised a paw towards the deli's bck door when she heard Gristen whine, "What?" She turned to her brother a bit confused.
The small tomkitten scuffed his foot in the dirt and smiled bashfully, "Can I do it today?"
Scarlottin smiled warmly down at him and nodded, "Yeah sure just do it quick before the cat-catchers see us!"
"All right!" He exclaimed punching the air as he jumped up. Then he clamped a paw over his mouth. "Oops, sorry." He whispered, though he was still smiling. Scarlot rolled her eyes slightly, a smile twitching at the corner of her lips before she stepped aside and let Gristen go ahead of her.
Gristen mimicked every move he had seen Scarlot make in the many days of watching her sneak into the deli and grab some of the thrown away pieces. Finding the thin crack at the bottom of the door he squeezed inside.
Scarlottin followed him and after her came Lorian. The queens stayed inthe safety of the shadows near the door as they watched their brother work his way to the 5 rubbish bins in the kitchen and serving area. "He's getting good!" Scarlottin remarked in barely a whisper
"We've been practicing sneaking lately!" Lorian stated proudly
"Oh really?" Scarlot said, eyebrows raising slightly. "That must be why you two disappear during the afternoon." She smiled.
Lorian smiled almost mischivously. "Perhaps."
"As long as you don't leave the alley without me." Scarlot said patting Lorian's head before turning her attention back to Gristen. He was carefully climbing his way up onto the edge of the first bin. Peaking inside he sat back with an almost disappointed look before balancing his way across the rim and jumping to the other. Scarlots tail flicked back and forth, becoming a little anxious. She was very protective of her siblings and when Gris stumbled on his landing on the other rim she had to force herself not to jump forward.
Gristen leaned into the second bin, his rear and tail high in the air as his knees hooked around the rim. Pulling back he had one tiny handful of meat. Looking only slightly truimphant he made his way to the next bin.
Lorian was already growing tired of sitting still. Her toes tapped softly and she hummed the lullaby her mother used to sing to them. It was in an old tongue and non of them knew what it meant but it was truely beautiful.
Scarlottin's ears swiveled to catch the sound of her sister's humming. The song calmed her as she watched Gristen head for the last garbage, half a sub in his mouth.
Gristen was doing very well, only stumbling twice and both times catching himself quite gracefully. Reaching the last bin he looked inside and eyed the large half eaten chicken leg. Maybe, just maybe he could reach it.
Lowering himself forward as far as he could it still was just out of his reach. Stretching muscles he reached with all his might, then his grip slipped. flailing a moment he fell forward and caught the rim with his hand.
Scarlot's ears shot back as she saw him slip. Bolting forward she climbed up onto the first bin and began making her way to Gristen as fast as she could.
Lorian knew better than to follow her older sister. She stayed silent and unmoving in the darkness by the exit.
Scarlottin made as little noise as possible when she jumped from bin to bin. When she reached the one Gristen had fallen into she leaned down and grabbed his scruff. It took a bit of energy and some not-so-graceful balance adjsutments but he was lifted from the bin in no time.
Lorian's eyes shot open as the door to the right of the bin's swung open and a waitress walked in.
Scarlottin had just gotten Gristen up onto the rim when the waitress walked in. Looking around quickly she grabbed Gristen and jumped back into the bin. It was the only hiding spot they could get to quickly and quietly.
Lorien bit her lip as she dashed behind a counter and curled up in the darkest shadows she could fit in and still see the bin.
The waitress, popping gum rather loudly walked past the bins to retreive someones order. Everyone held their breath as they waited. Scarlot held Gris close to her chest, his eyes big as they saw the human walk by.
Lorian barely blinked as she watched the waitress. It seemed like the longest 45 seconds of her life!
When the human finally left the room lorian made a soft chirping sound and Scarlottin's head popped up over the edge of the bin. With a thankful smile as drug Gristen with her as she leapt over the edge of the garabage can and landed gracefully on the floor.
Setting Gristen down she pushed him gently towards the door to hurry him up. He didn't need to be told twice. Clutching the food he had gathered in his arms he rushed forward and wriggled out the door after Lorien. Scarlot close behind the two.
Only when they were safely back in their crate did Lorien and Gristen begin chuckling at the close call they had had. Scarlot sight and sat down. Kittens, they could laugh at almost anything. Taking the sub out of Gristens hands she broke it up into pieces for each of them. Giving herself the smallest of the three.
The laughter sent those eerie chills down my spine. It seemed to fog my mind and strangle me slowly. It will always be too much for me to handle.
Scarlottin gasped as she had rolled off the crate whilst struggling in her sleep. She hit the ground with a yelp and slowly lifted herself into a sitting position.
Gristen and Lorian stopped play fighting instantly and ran to her, "You alright? Tht was a big fall!" Gristen asked as he hugged her.
Holding Lorian and Gristen close she nodded. "I'm okay, it'll take more than a fall to hurt your big sis." She said, forcing a smile.
Gristen and Lorian nuzzled into her, glad she was all right, but Lorian knew Scarlot was lying. However she also knew it was no use to argue with her.
Then laughter rose again, starting as a quiet chuckle then increasing to that maniacle tone that froze Scarlot on the spot. Eyes wide she scanned the shadows as she held her siblings close. "I must still be asleep." She muttered to herself, closing her eyes tight and shaking her head. "I have to still be asleep..."
Gristen and Lorian instinctively moved as close to Scarlottin as they could. From the shadows came the tall form of the maniacal tom.
"Now now My dear! I understand the confusion." He made a sweeping hand motion that gestured to his whole body, "After all, what a wonderful dream I am!" The twins was shuddering as she stared at the ginger tom.
A shiver ran through her as she stared up at him. It had to be another dream...That laughter, that horrible noise right after her mothers death. Holding Gristen and Lorian she shook her head. But this was a completely different dream than the others. Lorian and Gristen were with her, both terrified and the laughter never took on a body before...
"Wh-Who are you?" She demanded, trying to keep her voice as steady as possible.
The large tom ran his long fingers through his silky head of hair. He drew his hand back and rested it on his thin hip. "You've never heard of me?" He seemed almost disappointed but his voice was as sweet as poisoned honey. "Oh yes... You aren't Jellicles. So there's no one here who can oppose me!"
The twins shook harder and clung to one another. Scarlottin positioned herself between her siblings and this mad man as he slowly approached.
"You didn't answer my question!" She snapped back, courage growing stronger as he posed more of a threat to her younger brother and sister. Her fur fluffed up as he drew nearer. "I also want to know what you want!"
"Now now," He said, voice smooth and sinisterly sweet. "No need to snap." Circling slowly, Scarlot followed to keep herself between the ginger and her siblings. "I came for what is mine."
"We have nothing, we've never seen you before!" Scarlot snarled, angered especially by his brushing off her first question.
"Oh but you do." His voice seemed to become even more evil. Scarlot followed his eyes, daring to look away for the briefest of moments and found herself stealing a glance at her siblings. Pieces began to fall together in her head, like a giant puzzle. The reds and blacks within Gristen's and Lorian's coat, far harsher than the softer highlights of red within her own brown fur...She snarled, baring her teeth.
The ginger tom licked his lips as he looked her over. "I've come for what is mine but I might leave with a bit extra, Love." He voice dropped low as he drew closer to her.
"Scar... what is he talking about?" Lorian asked through silent tears. The young queen squeaked in a terrified way as the tom came face to face with her.
"I've come for you!" His broad smile revealed his large fangs and a wickedly sadistic tone of voice, "Both you and your Brother, my children."
Scarlot forced herself to stay still as he came closer to her. However when he stated what he wanted aloud, she couldn't take it. With a hiss she swiped at his face. "You get away from my kittens!" She snarled, widening her stance with claws out.
He pulled back faster than she could blink, her claws completely missing their target and dealt a blow hard enough to jerk her face to the side, though he didn't use his claws. Yet anyway. "-Your- kittens?" He chuckled. "I don't think so." He laughed, that same horrendous laugh that was infused into her brain.
Lorian and Gristen looked at each other as they clutched one another.
The ginger tom held out his hand as if accepting a small item, "Hand them over!" It was a simple statement but it made Scarlottin's skin crawl in ways it never had before.
The twins looked back and forth between Scarlottin and the new tom, eyes wide and bodies trembling, "Don't make us go with him Scar!" they whispered in unison.
"I'll never hand you over." She said through gritted teeth, her eyes darted around for something, anything to stall the tom. Her eyes caught the glint of the garbage can next to her. Tail twitching she bit her lip before spinning, grasping its handle and pulling with all her might. The can crashed down in front of her. "Run!" She cried, taking their hands in hers and bolting.
The ginger tom's lip curled up in a sick and twisted smile. "Its useless to run, my pet." He said quietly to himself. "But if it's games you want, let's play." He took off after them, disappearing into the shadows.
The ginger tom's laughter echoed against the brick walls of the alleyway and seemed to surround them. The twins ran off as fast as they could ahead of Scarlottin. Gristen suddenly grabbed Lorian's paw and yanked her into a drainage pipe. The pair were almost instantly covered in grime and mud as they ran along the pipe to the other end.
Scarlottin ran on, trying to lead the tom away from her siblings. Her feet pounded agaisnt the ground as her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
The sun was quickly setting, the day drawing to a close and the shadows darkening. Gristen and Lorien huddled together under a car, deep in a junkyard. The mud and grime meant nothing to them now.
Scarlot ran for all she was worth. All she could do was pray he'd follow her. The laughter grew louder and seemed to grow angrier. Suddenly she was hit from behind and went flying. Tumbling and skidding to a stop she stumbled to her feet.
"I grow tired of this game." He said, stepping forward. "Where are they?"
Scarlottin's mind raced as she tried to come up with a reason to stall him, "Why do you want them?" Her heart was pounding in her ears and she took hold of her tail to stop its anxious thrashing
He snarled and unsheathed his claws, "Because they... are... -Mine-!" He practically spat the last word as his hackles began to rise.
She jumped in the slightest as his voice rose but stood her ground. The fact that her back was to a wall had little to do with that. "But why do you want them? What use are they to you?" Her fists clenched and she bared her fangs at the thought of him getting to her siblings.
"They belong to me! They are young, impressionable." His eyes narrowed. "They would make good followers under my...watchful hand."
"Watchful?" The way he said it sent a horrible feeling down her spine that settled in her stomach like ice. There was no way in Heaviside above that she was going to hand them over. She bit her lip. "You cannot have them!" She snarled again.
In a single, ground-eating stride he was inches from her. She could feel his hot snarled breaths on her face. "Now that's where you are wrong Young One... Very wrong." sinister yellowed eyes made a quick sweep over her body. "...or perhaps you are right"
She shuddered and clamped her eyes shut. Scarlottin felt his presance draw closer but she didn't dare move. The ginger tom inhaled her scent deeply and brushed the back of his paw down the side of her face, in an almost tender movement.
At the touch of his hand she couldn't help but jerk her face away. Only for his clawed hand to grasp her chin and force her to look at him. "Perhaps...We can make an agreement..." His face was still inches from her own, their noses almost touching.
"A-an agreement?" She asked, her voice quivering. Her reserved strength was almost gone, she felt her knee's weakening in fright. Her siblings were safely hidden away, but she didn't have the need to keep up a strong face for them now. She was by herself with this ginger tom.
The tom licked his lips in a way that made every muscle in Scarlottin's body scream 'run!' Ignoring her instincts to protect her brother and sister, she swallowed hard and waited for his answer.
"I propose a trade... two tiny worthless runts..." he drew it out, making her wait as long as possible as he ran a clawed thumb over her chin, "...for one: You"
"M-me?" She squeaked out, eyes opening wide. She couldn't hide the shaking of her shoulders. Closing her eyes, thoughts rushed through her head. Instincts fighting logical sense. After seconds that seemed like hours, she clenched her jaw.
"Exactly. What do you say?" He smirked, running another finger along her jawline. "You work for me, have to listen to everything I say, do as I say, and in payment: I leave your..'preshious' siblings alone." Another long moment.
"I-If you give me your word you wont touch them...Then...I'll go with you." She bowed her head in defeat. The ginger tom grinned wickedly, "My word is my bond... seal it with a kiss then Love?" He held her chin firmly, the tips of his claws breaking the skin as he kissed her forcibly. His kiss was like a drug, in the back of Scarlottin's mind she knew it was repulsive and wrong but the ginger tom had such skill...
Scarlot wanted to pull away, wanted to tear his claws and lips from her own but she was done fighting. It was for the safety of her siblings after all. Finally he pulled away. Biting back the gasps that she wanted to cough out, to spit out his taste, she looked at her feet. She had a feeling that she wasn't going to see her siblings again, at least for a very, very long time.
The ginger tom leaned in so close he could have easily kissed her throat... or ripped it out. Which ever his mood demanded. He inhaled her scent one more, savoring it before he finally pulled back far enough to let her breath comfortably again. "My name is Macavity." He bowed elegantly yet the menacing grin never faltered, "-You- may call me 'Lord!'"
