Heeeey guys! I haven't updated this story in forever, huh? Sorry about that! I've already started the next chapter so hopefully that will be up soon! Also- I've notice that the CATS section has been really slow as of late. The Les Miz fan fiction has now passed us! We can't let that happen y'all! So I just wanna call all of the CATS fans to write like you've never written before and take back our spot in the top four plays/musicals!
I couldn't sleep that night. I didn't know why, but I just... didn't feel right.
My head felt like it was bursting, and I couldn't stop thinking. Thinking about Macavity, thinking about Tugger, thinking about Demeter, and every other thing in my life. It was almost as if it was so quiet in Demeter's den that my compensated by getting louder and louder until I couldn't take it anymore. I missed my own den. I missed Tugger's den, too.
I breathed a heavy sigh as once again my thoughts turned to Tugger. I was still trying to figure out how I felt about him. Up until now, Tugger and I had just been casual flirts, and old friends. But things were changing between us, and I could feel it. And the scary thing was, I didn't mind. Usually, when a Tom got too close for comfort, I'd either instantly push him away or see how much I could milk his affection. But with Tugger, I didn't want to do either of those things. I actually wanted to see what would happen if he got close to me. Would we be able to even have a successful relationship? Did I want one? Did he want one? There were so many questions I wanted answers to, and I knew I wasn't going to get them. Tugger would never want to settle down. I would be crazy to think he would be capable of it. Would it be better to just stay away from him and not tempt myself? I didn't want to get in over my head.
I shook my head to rid myself of the confusing thoughts. I just needed to walk around, stretch my legs. I got up to go and get some milk. Maybe it would help me sleep? It was worth a shot, I guessed.
I quietly made my way out of my room, into the main room of the den. I had to walk slowly. I didn't want to wake Demeter up, and it was pitch black in the den. It was a full moon that night, so there was very little light to see by. Fortunately, I knew the way. Before I moved into my own den after my coming of age ball, I used to share this den with Demeter. We had a lot of memories here together. Late nights talking about toms, sleepovers with the other queens, bringing in mass collections of "treasures" (aka kinda shiny trash) on dump day, and just hanging out with each other. My years with Demeter were some of the most fun. I missed it every once in a while.
I made it to the tiny ice box Demeter kept in her den safely, free of any stubbed toes or bumped elbows, for which I was grateful. I opened the lid of the box and grabbed one of the bottles of milk, pulling of the lid with my claw. After placing the lid back on the box, I settled down on one of the cushions in the room.
As I sipped the milk, Macavity came to mind. I instantly banished that line of thought. I had nothing to worry about. Munkustrap and Alonzo were tightening security around the Junkyard, and no one had seen or heard from Macavity since he attacked me. I was perfectly safe. Still, I couldn't fight the cold stab of fear that constantly loomed in the back of my mind. If he came back would he kidnap me? Or do something even worse? No one had any idea of what he was capable of. Not even me. Before he attacked me, no one would have suspected he would go as far as he did. Sure, we all knew Macavity was a little more on edge than most, but I never thought he would have hurt me like he did.
I groaned in frustration and dragged my claws through my headfur. Thinking about it and worrying about it was a waste of time. I was safe. Why couldn't I stop psyching myself out? Maybe I just needed some fresh air.
Dropping the empty milk bottle into the trash can, (I never understood why Demeter insisted on keeping one when we lived in a junkyard, for Pete's sake.) I made my way out of the den. Once I was outside, I took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.
Because of the new moon it was pitch black minus the few stars that managed to shine through the London smog. A light breeze drifted through, making me shiver. It must have knocked something over, because just after there was a little clang and some sort of pot or metal container crashed to the ground. The sound made me jump, and my fur stuck up on end. I stayed frozen for a moment, unable to move until I convinced myself it was nothing. I felt ashamed. Ever since my fight with Macavity, the slightest little things made me jump. I was pathetic. Weak. Cowardly. I hated it. I used to be fearless and look at me now- jumping at the wind.
Scoffing at myself in disgust, I decided to climb to the roof of Demeter's den. It was a little difficult with one of my arms being broken, but, with a little struggling, I managed.
Hoisting myself up with my good arm, I sat on top of the trash mound that served at the roof to Demeter's den. From up there I could see the city lighting up the dark canvas of the sky with it's bright lights and thriving life. It was always bright there. Bright and noisy. Demeter and I used to go there all the time in our younger teen years to go flirt with all the ally Toms and steal food from the fancy restaurants. Even though it was only a couple years ago, it seemed like a life time. When had Demeter gotten so boring? When had I started getting so out of control? When did life stop making sense?
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard another crash. I frowned. It must have been the wind again. But I didn't remember feeling a breeze. In fact- I hadn't felt a breeze since I climbed up to the roof. The air was just... Dead. Which was very unusual in London. It was always cold, windy, or raining. It was never still. So if the wind didn't make the noise...
What did?
"Hello, Darling."
My blood ran cold.
I froze as a paw came to rest on my shoulder, it's long unkept claws digging into my skin.
"Miss me?"
In a flash I was whipped around to face my visitor, his sharp yellow-white teeth and wild black eyes flashing in the dark. He wore a sickening grin on his face that looked anything but kind.
"Macavity," I whispered, unable to get anything else out. He threw back his head and laughed. It was a cruel laugh, the same as the one that haunted my nightmares.
"Oh, Bombalurina- I always loved the way you said my name." As he spoke, the hand that was not digging into my shoulder caressed my side in a too familiar way. I chill went down my spine and I could do nothing but quiver in terror. My mind was screaming at me to move, to run, you yell for help, to do anything- but my body was frozen, helpless to do anything but stare.
The paw on my hip gave it a little squeeze and I whimpered against my will.
"Now, Bombs. You didn't honestly think I wouldn't come back, did you?" He chuckled, as if it were a regular conversation one might have over tea. "I had to come back and see my girl, after all."
His hand came up and patted me on the cheek.
"Although," His hand tightened on my shoulder, and his claws broke skin, making me wince. "I couldn't help but notice you haven't been missing me as much as I've been missing you."
He leaned in closer. "Honestly, Bomba, I thought going after your ex-boyfriend's brother was low, even for you."
He released my shoulder and threw me into the ground, making me land on my injured arm. I cried out in pain, and tears started to look in my eyes.
"And don't pretend like you aren't. I've been watching you." He grabbed my chin between his fingers to make me look up at him. "Oh yes- I've been watching you a lot. It was quite cute, really. The false sense of security was rather endearing. But sadly, I grew tired of it. It was about time I paid you a visit."
"W-what do you want?" I managed to spit out, trying to sound intimidating but somehow only managing a slightly angry tone to the fear in my voice.
"What do I want? Well I thought it was obvious." He yanked my face closer to his and smashed our lips together, biting mine with his sharp teeth and drawing blood.
"I want you." He growled into my mouth before pulling back.
I yanked myself away from him, but her caught my wrists in his hands keeping me close. "You're going anywhere." He snapped. "You see, I have my own place, away from the junkyard. I have followers, Bombalurina. Cats and rats and Pollicles that want to use my magic, not squander it away like Dad and my brothers wanted me to. You should see the heists we pull, Bombs." His grip tightened and he barked out a laugh. "Just wait till you see. You'll see I'm not a failure. I'm a king, Bombalurina! A king! And you're gonna be my queen."
He pulled me in for another kiss and I kicked against him, wrangling out of his grasp. My foot landed on his face, and I heard a cracking sound. I backed away from his as fast as I could, adrenaline coursing through my veins, but I couldn't go very far. I was at the edge of the junk pile, and I had no where to go. Macavity stood before me at full height, his paw up to his nose. When he pulled it away it was covered in blood. His eyes snapped up to mine, rage flooding his face.
"You little-!"
"Bombalurina!"
Macavity's head whipped around to the direction of the voice.
There stood Tugger, a rusted pipe held fast in his hand, and a worried expression cast in my direction. A wave of shock went through me. What was he doing here?
