Chapter Two: Decisions

Grizabella sighed and leapt onto the fence that sectioned the Junkyard from the rest of the world. Her father had told her never to cross, for crossing the boundaries of the Junkyard could be disastrous. You could be attacked by Pollicles, founded by the Death Van or run over by the moving cars, not to mention the Ferals and Strays, two tribes of cats that did not particularly like Jellicles. The picture of the outside world was painted so grimly to the kittens that they didn't even dare to cross the borders. But to Grizabella, she came from the Outside, she was born out there. The outside didn't look dangerous. In fact there wasn't anything remotely dangerous about the borders, the occasional car on the road; Grizabella decided she had enough sense to avoid that, there weren't any Pollicles and no other cats.

Why don't I just jump down? Who would know? There's no one about! Grizabella thought to herself.

But for some reason she couldn't. Her father's words still rang in her head preventing her from taking that leap down. So she sat and watched the world beyond, mesmerized by the comings and goings.

"It's not safe for a young queen like you to be out by herself." A smooth voice purred below her.

Snapping out of her reverie Grizabella peered down and almost fell off her perch as below her, was in her opinion, the most handsome tom she had ever seen. His sleek ebony fur shone in the sunshine, accentuating every muscle in his body. Bright emerald eyes sparkled up at her and a pearly white smile accompanied his finely chiseled features. Grizabella blushed furiously, hiding her cheeks behind her tail.

"Especially with Pollicles around." The tome continued with a slight grin.

"I know how to take care of myself." Grizabella said, holding her head up.

"Of course you can." The black tom winked, turning on his heel and sauntering away.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Grizabella called after him.

"Home."

"Where's that?"

"Wherever I want it to be." The tom grinned slyly.

"Oh." Grizabella frowned. He was a Stray.

"You sound disappointed."

"You're a Stray."

"You say that as if it's a bad thing cherie."

"To you it might not be, but to us Jellicles it is." Us Jellicles? For some reason, to Grizabella this sounded wrong.

"Ah, you're a Jellicle." He laughed.

"I guess." Grizabella cocked her head, what is she wasn't for a day.

"Why don't you come down here then Jellicle?" The tom held out a paw for her.

Grizabella stared at it, longing to touch it, longing to take it, jump off the wall and run away with him. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, shaking her head slowly.

"Can't."

The tom nodded and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Grizabella called. "What's your name?"

"Storm." He called over his shoulder before disappearing down the street.

Grizabella watched him leave regretfully before turning around and padding back into the middle of the Junkyard which was empty now except for Jellylorum and Noily Prat. She paused, the other two queens didn't notice her and with a sigh she slunk away to her den.

Noily Prat watched the younger queen go with concern. She furrowed her eyebrows and glanced over at Jellylorum. Lifting herself up she padded over to the cream and white queen. Even with her large and pregnant belly, Noily Prat was every much the beauty that she was named for. Disjointedly coloured, black with splashes of orange and white randomly over her body, giving her character, distinguishing her, thus giving her the grace she was so famous for. She exhaled loudly causing Jellylorum to raise her head. The younger queen smiled. Noily Prat sat down heavily, rubbing her stomach.

"How are you dear?" Noily Prat asked.

"Fine," Jellylorum cocked her head confused, "why?"

"Just asking love. It's not why I came over here though."

"I noticed." Jellylorum laughed, sitting up and stretching her front legs.

"There's something off with Bella." Noily Prat glanced in the direction of the tri-coloured queen's den.

Jellylorum raised an eyebrow and peered in the direction Noily Prat was. "You think?"

"Yes. Something very off."

Jellylorum scoffed. "She's always been like that; ever since the day she came."

Noily Prat furrowed her brow. "Hm."

"I'm sure it's not important." Jellylorum smiled and got up. "If you really want me to, I'll go and talk to her."

Noily Prat grinned and Jellylorum sighed, slumping over to the den she shared with her brother, father and half sister. She pushed in and padded over to large pillow that Grizabella was occupying. The tri-colour queen was staring blankly at the wall, her tail twitching from side to side. Jellylorum sat down in front of her with a huff.

"What's wrong?" Jellylorum asked.

Grizabella turned around glaring slightly at her half-sister.

"What makes you say that?" She said in that extremely superior voice that Jellylorum found annoying.

"It's obvious isn't it? You're staring blankly at the wall and you're not surrounded by you're," Jellylorum paused, "friends."

"It's none of your business." Grizabella snapped, turning back to the wall.

Jellylorum sighed and turned away, flopping on her own pillow and closing her eyes. She hated this time of the day, when the sun was at its peak. It made everything so sleepy, so slow.

Grizabella highly resented her half-sister's prying. What right does she have to barge in here and demand me to tell her what's going on. None of her business. Grizabella's thoughts turned to Storm. There was something so alluring and rebellious about talking to a Stray. Now if there were toms like that here in the Junkyard I'd be happy. It was in this moment that Grizabella knew she had to get out. She had to get out of the Junkyard, away from the Jellicles and living a life on her own, perhaps with Storm? Would he like her when she was out of the Junkyard? Would he help to teach her the ways of the Outside?

She glanced over at Jellylorum, now asleep on her pillow. Getting up quietly she padded out into the Junkyard. As it was the middle of the day, no one was around, she padded over to the dividing wall, jumping up on to the spot she frequented, the spot she had first met Storm. She stared out at the street now a bit more lively than this morning, Humans hurrying past, not glancing sideways at the cat on the wall. A couple of Pollicles passed too, growling slightly at Grizabella but not daring to go any further because of the high wall (in their opinion).

It was at this point in time that Grizabella knew she was going to leave and that she was going to make it on her own in the Outside world. She didn't know what she was going to do but she was going to do it. All she needed to do was jump down and run. That's it. Easy. Or so she thought. There are many theories that surround Grizabella's decision; rumours are as we know easy to spread: she got bored with life in the Junkyard, her father and half-brother abused her, she was kidnapped by humans, a Pollicle chased her out and she got lost not able to return, for some reason the Jellicles decided they didn't like her anymore and just abandoned her beneath a bridge. But none of those are true. There are only a few who know the truth. What spurred her decision is one of the most beautiful reasons:

Love.

You see in that brief meeting with Storm Grizabella inexplicably found herself falling head over heels with this strong, mysterious tom, proving that love at first sight is real. However strangely enough, Grizabella didn't know that this was the reason for her decision, not until much later. She believed at this time that she didn't belong with the Jellicles and that she was destined for greater things. This might have been true. And she did go on to do greater things, but it came at a terrible price. But that's for much later; let's stick with the story for now.

"Back again." The same smooth sly voice called.

Grizabella found herself grinning broadly and peering down over the wall, coming face to face with Storm again.

"I couldn't get enough." She purred.

Storm grinned. "I thought so. Why don't you come down?"

Grizabella thought about this. She could jump down and go off with him. She could turn on her back like what would be expected of her and scorn him. The former sounded more appealing in her mind. And yet her better judgment was creeping through.

"And do what?" Grizabella asked.

"Go for a walk? Just around the block, I promise I'll bring you right back here when we're done. We wouldn't want your family to worry now would we?" Storm smiled slyly.

"No I suppose not." He knew about Jellicle life.

"Well, what do you say?"

Grizabella stared into his eyes, finding herself melting under their gaze. And so she caved.

"Alright, It won't hurt anyone." She said.

And with that she jumped down off the wall.