I woke up in darkness. I couldn't figure out why my head hurt so much. Did I fall down the stairs? How come it felt like there was something in my mouth? Wait a minute, why couldn't I move my hands, which were uncomfortably behind my back? Oh Everlasting Cat, know I started to remember the black cat and him hitting me. He must have kidnapped me! But where, why, how long?
My mind started to race, and my breathing quickened. My fear would have taken over me if I hadn't felt someone take hold of my hands and what sounded like an attempt to say my name around a gag. I was 90 percent sure it was my father trying to calm me down. I tried with all my heart to do as he wanted me to. I've read enough books to know that freaking out wouldn't help. Of course, it's much easier said then done, especially if you have a very imaginative 13 year old mind.
I don't know how long we laid there in darkness, but what after what seemed like years I heard footsteps outside the room. My hands, which Dad had not let go of since I woke up, gripped his tighter. He squeezed mine quickly as cats walked in, flooding us with light, as if he was trying to give some of his courage to me. I can't exactly say it worked.
Five giant black cats walked into the cell, with a younger ginger behind them. The ginger seemed to be my age, and looked completely out of place. He was nervously glancing at us, (now that there was light, I could see Quaxo behind Dad), and he seemed like he didn't want to be there at all. When I glimpsed at him, he gave me a look of pity. If I hadn't already decided to hate everyone in this place, I would have felt thankful.
I felt myself being lifted up by one of the black cats and being set on feet, even through he did not let go of me. I swayed, but managed to stay up. When I looked over at Dad and Quaxo, however, I was surprised that they were standing up. They both had bruises on their faces and arms, obviously showing the results of the fight at our house. I was even more surprised when I looked at the other side of me.
There was a purple cat.
No, seriously! It was a cat that was purple! And he kept throwing murderous glances at Quaxo, so I'm just going to take a guess of what had happened. You see, when Quaxo freaks out and tries to use magic, most likely it will come out wrong. Trust me, I still have terrible memories from when he accidentally turned the whole house pink when he was trying to magically do his homework. That was the day I learned not to sneak up behind a magician.
Anyways, I digress from the plot line.
The black cats, with the ginger in the lead, pulled us out of the room and into a wide hallway, which seemed to have dark red splotches on the ground every several feet or so. My stomach heaved as it saw this. We kept being pushed and dragged until we reached a massive hall, with a throne on the end of it. The cat that was sitting in the throne I knew had to be Takeshi.
Takeshi had long, dirty, ginger hair, and wore red and black robes. His eyes were completely black; there was no light in them at all. That itself frightened me.
"My lord, the prisoners are here, as you commanded." The younger ginger called out.
"Bring them to me, my son." Ah, this boy was Takeshi's son! That makes sense.
My family was dragged to the front of the throne, and thrown down on our knees. Takeshi studied us for a minute in silence, while is son stood next to him on his right side. He laughed suddenly, making me jump.
"This is the best to the Jellicle Tribe? Really, THIS family? This cat," gesturing at my father, "probably couldn't hurt someone to save his life. This boy," stopping at Quaxo, "probably doesn't know what it takes to be a man. And here's," coming to me, "is just a little scaredy girl who wants to hide behind her Dada right now. Right?" I didn't respond. "Answer me, you stupid girl!"
I still didn't respond, since I did have a gag in my mouth.
He turned away from me, but then suddenly smacked me across the face. Hard. I hit the floor, just to be dragged up by my hair back to my knees. My father stared at Takeshi with murderous eyes, but what could he do? We were in Takeshi's power.
"Do you know why you're here? I guess the fact that you were trying to take me out is one, even through that's not a major issue. I decided I want some playthings that actually aren't so fragile, like with my other toys. This way, I get to kill two birds with one stone, right? You're out of my way, Munkustrap, and I still get to torture you and your family. Isn't this going to be fun? Oh, I got another surprise for you." He yelled out, "Bring him in!"
A tall cat was pulled inside. A tall, ginger cat...
Oh Everlasting Cat. It was Macavity.
He was covered with blood, and it appeared that his arm was broken. Father tried to lunge over to him, but Takeshi's henchcats wouldn't let him.
"That's just a little preview of the next month for you. If you are still alive, of course." He started to laugh at his own joke. "Take them back to their cells. The ginger can stay with the boys." The henchcats started to pull everyone up... except me.
It hit me suddenly. I was going to be separated from my family. I think when my dad saw me realize it, it hit him too. He started to fight the cats that were grabbing him, trying to get to me, but he just wasn't strong enough. Neither was I. I watched him be taken out of the hall with his wide open eyes, fearing what was going to happen.
Takeshi grabbed me himself, and started to drag me towards a door I hadn't noticed was there. I went completely limp. I was so afraid that I felt all of my strength leave me at once. The torture hadn't even started yet, but I had already given up.
I was brought to a dimly lighted room that was covered in red. I couldn't be sure if it was paint or blood. Taking in Takeshi's personality, I was guessing the latter. Takeshi ungagged me, but didn't untie my hands. I glanced up, and saw the whip in his hand. He pushed me onto my belly.
I closed my eyes, and heard the first crack of the whip, before my body yelled the first scream...
I'm so evil, aren't I? You can threaten me through a review. You know, that little box down there?
Bye!
