Chapter 3-Was it my fault?
Oh Dem…What's he done to you?
Not Macavity. No, he's been quiet recently-we haven't heard about anything he's done.
I'm talking about Munkustrap. That son of a pollicle! What does he think he's playing at, going and breaking my sister's heart like that?
I found her in her den, on the day he left. She was just standing there, in shock. She was staring at a letter with wide eyes, as silent tears dripped down her cheeks.
I managed to coax the letter from her, and read it. It was a goodbye from Munkustrap, saying he was going to kill Macavity so that Demi could be safe.
I knew for a fact he wouldn't succeed. Nobody did! I'd seen many a young tom step up to challenge Macavity. None had survived. Macavity had torn them in two. I knew Demi had seen that too-why do you think she had nightmares? Well, that and other things.
I slipped out and took that stupid letter with me. Now, I don't know if this was just bad luck on his part or what, but Munkustrap's little brother Alonzo was passing at the exact same moment I stormed out of Demi's den. I was seeing red, I was that angry at Munkustrap, so I kinda felt the need to confront Alonzo.
"Look at this. Look at this!" I yelled at him, brandishing the letter in my right paw.
"What is it?" he asked. I guess he was a bit confused, but his eyes grew wider and wider as he speed read it.
"What the-"
"Your idiot brother's gone to take on Macavity. He's gonna get himself killed!"
"What? Why?" Bast, Alonzo was being a bit thick. And with me so angry, I guess I just exploded.
"I'll tell you why. Because he's a stupid, selfish, bloody minded…"
"Do not talk about my brother like that!"
"Why not? He just went swanning off, no regard for Demi's feelings or anything. Demi's gonna be heartbroken!"
And with I stormed off, leaving behind me an open mouthed Alonzo, who probably hates me now. I don't care.
Demeter is heartbroken. I'm watching her now. She's looking out of the window of our humans', just looking for him.
Myself, I don't think he's worth crying over, but maybe I'm just biased. I mean, even when he was a kitten he was a boring little thing, only bothered with learning the Jellicle Laws and growing up to be a good little protector for daddy.
Yuck. He makes me sick.
It's his fault Demeter is in this state.
It's his fault.
Or is it mine?
Not many others know this, but I spent some time with Macavity, before he took my baby sister away. Except for me, it was a bit different.
I chose to go there. Why, I shall never know. But I chose to run away with Macavity.
It was wonderful, at first. Every night like a dream. Until, that is, the night I dared to say no to him. Then I got the same Demi did. He got so angry sometimes…I was scared for my life. Yes, you heard right. Proud Bombalurina, cowering before Macavity. I still have the scars. And the nightmares. In the end, I found the exit and ran out of there as fast as my paws could carry me, never once looking back.
I knew Macavity was angry at me. Two weeks after I returned, he struck again, this time kidnapping my little sister.
Did he do it to get back at me? Was that why he hurt Demi like that, to hurt me? Was it my fault?
Oh, Heaviside, say it wasn't me.
Demi won't eat now. She's refusing everything. She hasn't eaten anything in two days now. I'm so worried about her, but she won't talk to me. She won't talk to anyone. Not even Jemima.
I feel so sorry for Jemima. I think she's almost scared of her mum. She doesn't understand, she's too young. She doesn't know what's going on. Yesterday she tried to talk to Demeter-that ended in tears.
"Mummy, mummy, what's wrong?" Jemima asked, but Dem didn't answer.
"Mummy? Did I do something bad?" Jemi's eyes filled with tears. "Mummy? Why won't you talk to me? Mummy?"
I couldn't watch it any more. I had to take the poor kitten away and explain to her that she didn't do anything, her mummy was just feeling sad, but she'd soon be back to normal.
I'm not sure who I was trying to convince, Jemi or me.
Jenny's looking after Jemima now, since Demi can't. She seems happy enough, playing with Etcetera, Victoria and Electra. Glad someone is. Most cats are worried for Munkustrap, and those that aren't are scared for poor old Demi.
Oh Demi…what have I done? I've messed up your life completely. Look at you, just sitting there staring out of the window, waiting for Munkustrap. Waiting and watching. But he's not going to come back, Demi. He won't be back to sweep you off your paws and tell you that Macavity is dead. It's not going to happen.
He's been gone for nearly a week now. If he'd succeeded, he'd be back by now. Which means he didn't succeed. Which means he's dead. And it's all my fault.
I sent a cat to his death.
I didn't like Munkustrap much, but I didn't hate him enough to kill him! And now Demi's so...so dead inside. My sister and her mate. How many others will be punished for what I did?
I feel so stupid. What have I done? If only Demi would talk to me. I wouldn't feel so bad then.
Dem…I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to happen like this.
Bast, Dem, talk to me!
Dem?
He came back. Thank Heaviside! He came back!
Plato saw him crawling back at midnight last night, when he was on patrol. He was beaten and bloody, and seemed to be in some sort of a trance, asking for Demeter and saying her name over and over and over again. But he's alive.
Oh, thank the Everlasting Cat! I thought…I thought I'd killed him. I don't know what would have happened then.
Demi won't leave him. They're in his den now. Funny, but she's acting like I did when she was in a coma.
Figures, really. She loves him a lot, more than she realised. I hear they'll be mated at next year's ball. Not the next one-that's too soon. In fact, it's in four weeks. Jenny reckons he'll be up and about by then, but not up to much dancing.
I'm just glad he's back safe. I thought Macavity had done what he did to so many young toms that still haunt my and Demi's nightmares.
Jemima still hasn't been to see Demeter yet, but Dem says that she'll welcome her kitten back tomorrow. I'm glad. We both know what it's like growing up without a mother.
Munk's going to tell us what happened tomorrow. I'm not sure I want to hear, and I'm sure Demi shouldn't listen. Too many bad memories, as I told her.
She never listens to me.
"When I went to take on Macavity…oh, I was terrified. When I found his lair, I didn't want to go in, but the thought of you, Demi, spurred me on. I had to do this. Whatever it took. So off I went." We were gathered around the TSE1, listening in as Munkustrap told us what had happened. Everyone was there apart from the kittens.
"Macavity was in the main room, and he smirked as I entered, I remember that well.
"So, the great Munkustrap, come to challenge me." he said. I don't know how he knew. Maybe he just guessed? Anyway, without warning, he just pounced on me. I retaliated, but he just kept hitting me and hitting me. I was getting knocked down over and over again, but he barely seemed to have a scratch on him."
"How did you get out, Munk?" Demi gasped. We all blinked in surprise-we'd all forgotten we were in the Junkyard. Instead, we were all in Macavity's lair, watching in horror as Munkustrap got beat up.
"I ran. I was spitting out blood by this point. Macavity was gloating. I was scared. I knew I'd never beat him. So I ran away, leaving a trail of blood behind me."
"How come it took you so long to get back?" That was Admetus.
"They were following me-his henchcats, that is. I had to hide-I couldn't lead them to the Yard!"
Demi nuzzled against his fur. "I'm so glad you're back." she whispered.
So was I, Demi. So was I.
Still, I hope we can put all this behind us in time for the Jellicle Ball. We're hoping for some normality soon, for all of our sakes. That'll be something to celebrate!
Macavity had better not try anything then. I don't know what would happen if he did…
Author's note-So, here it is, earlier than I'd said on my profile. Part 4 may be a while-I have tonsof homework. Thanks again to all my reviewers, and I'll see you again in the Jellicle Ball!
Disclaimer-I don't own Cats. Unfortunately.
