Near the junkyard, Rane's father angrily searched through piles of garbage and checked in cans looking for his son. That little rat was going to get his when he found him. If those damn Pollicles hadn't interfered last night, he would've finished Rane off, like he should have a long time ago, and be done with it. Some of the garbage was completely disgusting but he figured he had no other choice. After he'd lost those dogs, he'd been too tired to go back to the alley and he'd flopped down inside a tipped over garbage can to sleep. This morning when he'd got back to the alley, he was irritated to see that Rane was gone; the stupid kitten didn't have the common decency to die there or, at the very least, stay nearby and he was forced to have to track him down again.

He'd searched the entire alley end to end and found no sign of the kitten which made him even more irritated. On a good note though, he had found a couple of mice running around near the dumpster that Rane had hidden behind last night; at least he wouldn't be searching on an empty stomach. Reaching the end of the alley, he looked left and then right huffing in frustration; there were a hundred places that brat could've gone; he'd never find on his own. He glanced left again at the junkyard thinking. Personally, he had no time for those Jellicles but on the other paw they could make it easier to find Rane. Yes, he could play the distraught father routine, as he'd done the last time Rane took off, and find him in no time.

Padding toward the junkyard, he tried to appear worried and afraid but dropped it when he heard a queen call out a name. His ears perked up and a smile started creeping across his face; she had called the name "Rane".

So this is where you're hiding, he thought as he padded more quickly toward the main gate, this'll be easier than I thought.

"Rane!" Demeter called out, running after him but the kitten was sprinting for the open main gate as fast as he could. Munkustrap and Jelly joined her in hurrying after him; they had to stop him before he got out of the junkyard; the streets were more dangerous during the day than they were at night. The greatest danger lay in the human's cars; in the state Rane was in, he could run out into the street just as one was passing by and be crushed beneath it.

Seeing other cats peering out curiously at what was going on, Demeter called for them to help stop the frantic kitten from leaving. Alonzo and Plato joined in the chase, darting out from their dens to try and cut Rane off but, as they soon realized, Rane was surprisingly quick. He dodged nimbly around Plato and when Alonzo tried to grab him, he stopped and dodged around him the other way when he'd gone past. Almost there, Rane thought frantically, I have to get away…he can't find me again. I won't go back!

Taking a quick look behind him, he saw the monster running ahead of Demeter and Jellylorum and he was gaining on him. This spurred him to run even faster, nearly crashing into Tugger who had emerged from his den wondering what in Bast's name all the racket was about. The Maine Coon was surprised when the charcoal kitten came within three steps of slamming into him then changed direction and sped past him. He was about to say something when he noticed another cat standing just outside the gate peering around the corner watching the kitten race toward it. He couldn't tell what kind of cat it was but something told him he wasn't friendly. His suspicion was right as the cat grabbed Rane as soon as he emerged from the gate.

Rane's heart almost froze in his chest when he burst out of the main gate and ran straight into a set of powerful arms. The scent was unmistakable; but how did he get in front of him so quickly? The monster was far enough behind him that he could've at least gotten into an alley before he caught him.

"You can't hide from me boy," a familiar voice hissed in his ear, "I told you I'd find you."

Catching up with the others, Tugger was surprised again when he saw this new cat; he was a silver tabby like Munk. The only differences; Munk was a bit leaner than him, this cat's fur was a shade darker and his black stripes were thinner.

"Let go of him," Munk demanded sternly and the other tabby gave them a fierce glare.

"Back off," he snarled his voice much deeper than Munk's, "This is none of your business."

"Let him go," Munk snarled back slowly, taking a step toward the other tabby.

"Who are you?" Demeter demanded. The tabby favored her with a sneering grin.

"The name is Armas," the tabby answered. He tightened his grip on Rane. "And he is my son." Demeter looked at him disgusted. This was Rane's father? "Now, if you'll excuse me," Armas said starting to back away, "I'm taking my son back where he belongs."

"I'm not going back," Rane cried struggling in his father's grip. Armas growled and gave the kitten a quick punch in the face silencing him. Demeter now understood what had happened to the poor kitten; his own father had nearly beaten him to death and had probably been beating him all his life hence the scars all over his body.

"How can you do that to your own son?" Jellylorum hissed bitterly.

"He's my property," Armas retorted, "And I'll do to him what I want." Once again, he started backing away almost dragging Rane with him. At that point, Tugger stepped up beside his brother.

"You're not takin' that kid anywhere," he snapped. Armas looked at him and laughed. "And what are you going to do about it pretty boy?" he asked mockingly.

By now, other members of the tribe had gathered nearby curious as to what was going on. Jellylorum broke off from the group to keep the kittens away as they had gathered in their own little group by one of the gate doors. Victoria yelled at Armas to leave Rane alone, Pouncival and Tumblebrutus looked as if they were ready to charge out and attack him and Jemima watched with a frightened look. Jelly made sure they stayed away.

"I'm only going to give you one more warning," Munk said, "Let Rane go."

"You take one more step," Armas warned taking hold of Rane's head, "And I'll break this little bastard's neck."

Rane shut his eyes, a whimper escaping from him. He felt his father's angry gaze fall on him for a second before he was given a hard shake forcing his eyes open. He looked at the Jellicles silently pleading for them to do something but none of them moved. They realized his father wasn't kidding about breaking his neck; in fact, Rane believed his father wanted them to try something. He was taunting them just as he used to do to him. And by the look on Munkustrap's face, Rane wasn't sure if the Jellicle Protector could restrain himself much longer. Feeling tears starting to well up in his eyes, Rane again silently pleaded for them to do something, anything, to get him out of this.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a movement off to the left; a small black and white cat had climbed to the top of a smaller junk pile; seeing the kitten watching him, he motioned for him to be quiet and to stay still. What could he possibly do from there? Rane kept his eye on the tux as he began doing something with his paws then flicked one toward his father as if he was knocking water off his fur. A series of bright flashes appeared just above his head; his father cried out and let go of him, stumbling back and covering his eyes. Rane didn't know what happened but he used the opportunity to scamper back toward the junkyard where Demeter grabbed him in a protective hug. Munkustrap turned his head toward him, silently checking to see if his father had hurt him then looked back at the monster as he shook his head, wiping his watery eyes. The monster fixed him with another murderous look and Rane turned away, burying his face in Demeter's fur as she held him close.

"You can't hide him forever," he heard the monster say then heard his footsteps hurrying away down the street. With the standoff finally over, Rane broke down and started to cry.