CHAPTER NINE: The Chase

Perhaps Macavity had not ended things with Bombalurina as finally as he thought, for he permitted her to stay and was not afraid to talk to her, nor she to him. She also took it all in her stride, and got on very well with Demeter of all cats. She did not resent her for being the new centre of Macavity's affections, especially when she learned of what he was doing to her.

At this point, both took a reality check on their current situation. Bomba persuaded Demeter to break it off with Macavity, not out of jealousy but genuine concern. She told her of his past, the organised killings and explained why she had left him, she had never been able to confide in anyone before and having Demeter to talk to was a real weight off her mind.

"I just couldn't stay Dem," she explained "I still loved him, but what he was doing was so wrong! And then after I saw what he did to Mungo! Heaviside, I hope he made it better in life than us."

"But it's not so bad here."

"Wake up and smell the catnip! He's beating you up and one day it's gonna get out of hand, he'll end up killing you!"

"But he loves me, at the same time. It sounds impossible I know, but I just can't leave him like this. It's like you said, you still loved him when you felt you should go."

"But I still left."

"You came back!"

"I came back because I had nowhere else to go, but somewhere out there there's got to be a better life. Like that old tribe of his, I only met them the once but I have never met a happier or more caring bunch of cats, whatever he might have thought. You've got to end it with him before it's too late. He's gone over the edge in the past two years, he's not who he used to be. He's bloody mentally unstable!"

"But if he's like this now, what will he do if I break it off?"

"It sounds terrible, I know, but it's a chance you've gotta take. We won't risk sticking around, we'll have to make a run for it. There's a better life out there for us somewhere I'm sure."

Bombalurina went with Demeter to help her, should she need it. Macavity took the news surprisingly well, a little to well. He shrugged it off and sidled up to Bombalurina. He put a paw around her, "Not to worry," he smiled "I knew Bomba couldn't stay away forever."

"Get off me Macavity, I don't know you any more. I knew you once and you were a good friend, but I don't know the monster you've become."

Macavity tightened his grip,

"You heard me," she spat "get your filthy bloodstained paws off me, you're not right in the head, you're corrupted by power and bloodlust."

At this Macavity turned and scratched down her face! Bombalurina gasped but fought back, scratching and biting in the very same way he had taught her. However, she knew she could not win this, he was both stronger than her and a better fighter. She tore herself away from him and grabbing Demeter by her paw she turned and jumped out of the window!

But this was not a jump to their doom, there was a large skip, full to the top with cardboard directly underneath the window that Bombalurina had known about and it cushioned their fall. They hurriedly scrambled out, unhurt, and ran as fast as possible down the nearest alleyway.

Within seconds Macavity gave chase, calling to Longfang to follow. They hunted down the two queens who finally collapsed from exhaustion several miles away, driven that far by adrenaline. They had to take a chance on their safety as neither could run another step. Unfortunately chance can be cruel and soon they were backed up by Macavity and Longfang in a dead end with unclimbable walls.

Macavity grabbed Demeter, for he knew she was the weaker of the two, who was less likely to resist him. He shook her and inflicted blows on every part of her body, shouting at her telling her he loved her and that how could she run away from him, when she loved him? "Tell me," he snarled "tell me you love me!"

"I love you!" she sobbed, "I'm sorry I ran away, you're right I was wrong. I love you!"

"Make me believe it! Look into my eyes and say you love me!" he shook her harder and she sunk to her knees unable to look him in the eyes, her own full of tears.

At that moment Bombalurina couldn't bare to see Demeter go through any more, she shook Longfang off her and knocked him flying with a powerful punch, she had always been able to beat him in a fight. Before the henchcat had a chance to pick himself up she had thrown herself onto Macavity's back, scratching and biting for all she was worth! He dragged her off him and threw her to the ground, she landed awkwardly with a sickening thud and pain shot down her front leg/arm.

She picked herself up, her paw trailing uselessly by he side and helped Demeter to her paws too. Then the chase began again. But this time Macavity was injured too and was hindered by Longfang. For once luck was in Bombalurina and Demeter's favour and they lost them. Once again they stopped to rest in an alleyway, but swung around as they heard a patter of paws behind them.


The description of Macavity's attack on Demeter was my main reason for the T rating in this fic, as I said before, I'd like to know if you find the rating suitable. Apart from that, I hope you're enjoying it, there's not much left!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Cats or it's characters. All rights to Cats belong to Andrew Lloyd Webber and the RUG.