Part 2: The Madness at Midnight

Rum Tum Tugger

Alone time was his sanctuary. It was the only way he could process what was going on inside his head. Or, more specifically, his heart. He had little restraint in his actions, and sometimes they stemmed from his emotions, good and bad. But no one got to see them. No one had to know – his feelings were his business... not even his father or brother were aware of them. He didn't let anyone see how powerful they could get; that wasn't who he was, and it wasn't how he wanted to be seen. They didn't have to see that side of him. Tugger didn't want to acknowledge that side of himself, but here it was.

He sat alone on a rooftop in silence, letting the brisk wind rustle through his fur. Thinking.

He didn't care what others thought about him; he never cared. If someone didn't like who he was, they could get lost. Munkustrap and their old man didn't understand what authenticity was. They had to be liked by everyone... as did Rum Tum Tugger. But he wanted to be liked as he was, not for being a phony. Why was he helping Munkustrap look for their dad anyway? Old Deuteronomy had no use for him.

He'd known for long that he was only a problem kitten for his father. Every time he thought about it he found himself clawing into the surface below his paws. What hurt most was just how much he loved him. He loved his father and brother. They were family. Blood is heavier than water... or something like that. Old Deuteronomy put up with his antics, tolerated him, and still showed him affection whenever they saw each other... he was just that good at hiding how much better he liked Munkustrap. Tugger had seen enough to believe it—Old Deuteronomy seemed to be in denial that he had a favorite. Hell, if he were a bit more self-confident, Munkustrap would be everyone's favorite.

Tugger didn't have leadership skills, 'kind eyes,' or a knack for storytelling... but he had a strong voice. And he was handsome. He could work with handsome very well. His first urge to mate was what kickstarted his popularity with the queens. He had energy, and he took an immediate awareness to the art of passion and sex... that and he got a lot of practice in. Romance wasn't his priority; pleasure was. And bloody Hell, did he know how to give and receive pleasure. He was tickled pink when he learned there were all sorts of different methods to this euphoria... especially since he was taught about them first-hand. Strange to think, but Rum Tum Tugger himself was once a virgin and an amateur. Still, he didn't care for cuddling and kissing; then whatever queen he was with would get the idea that there had been emotions involved.

The only thing that could ruin his fun were if feelings ever got in the way. Sometimes the idea of actually developing a connection with someone sounded nice, but it wasn't something he was going to seek for himself, not until it found him by chance. Life was fun when it was unpredictable... but sometimes it was disheartening, like it was tonight. He was deliberating what he would do in the morning. Maybe he'd look for Munkustrap, maybe he'd go home, maybe he'd just take a day to be by himself. He didn't care. He'd decide when he woke up.

Munkustrap

The Egyptian Mau slowly opened his eyes when he felt a presence over him. Not directly next to him, but he knew someone was watching him. It made him uneasy. He steadily got to his feet and looked around. He remained silent to not let whatever could be lurking know he was aware of them. But then it hit him; the scent that stung his nose and ears. His fur bristled and his claws emerged.

He knew whatever was nearby was going to pounce. When it did, Munkustrap turned and gave it a clean swipe across the face. The ginger cat rolled twice but ended upright. Macavity had come to him instead. Right when Tugger was gone. He'd have to do this alone. Before he had any time to follow-up on his attack, Macavity launched himself onto Munkustrap and pinned him down; his claws dug into his shoulders. He couldn't even wriggle to get free. He caressed a claw along Munkustrap's cheek, he had a sinister grin as he taunted in his gravelly voice, "Who'll save your people now?" He tried to swing a paw at him, but Macavity was already tearing into his throat.

Munkustrap jerked awake with a full-body twitch, a jackhammer in his chest, shivering frantically. Gasping for air, he looked around wildly and felt for the wound on his neck. Gone. Not there. It wasn't real. The fear dwindled and ceased. He was alone, and for once he took some relief in that. Just then, there was a noise. One that was nearby and very real. Munkustrap began to pray that this was another nightmare, and if not, that the panic was enough to ready him for the attack. Something moved.

A shadow darted from a fire escape to behind a dumpster.

"I know you're there." Munkustrap said with as much authority as he could muster; he was still a bit numb from the dream. "Come out." He commanded. The shape came closer, and Munkustrap felt every hair on his body go erect, but stepping into the light was someone unexpected.

Demeter.

Munkustrap remained on guard, but his eyes softened noticeably. Demeter looked equally terrified although she was the one coming closer. Munkustrap changed to a more neutral stance and let her approach... but when he tried to reach his paw to her, she pulled away as though she'd touched a burning hot surface. He knelt slightly, showing he was submitting to her. Demeter felt more secure and walked in front of him. It was their first time seeing each other up close. She was all the more alluring to him.

She made a nervous sound in her throat and he recoiled. She struggled to find words. "I... I've been looking for you."

She can speak, too? Mystified by the occurrence, Munkustrap took a moment to respond. "You have?"

"Yes." They could barely keep eye-contact. "You're called Mun-ku-strap... right?" She enunciated to make sure she got it correct. He nodded.

"You're Demeter." She looked baffled. "It says it on your collar." She was so accustomed to it that she forgot her collar even had a nametag. It was all she had left from her human family. "I've seen you many times before; you come around the tribe a lot."

"I hope I haven't made anyone uncomfortable." She spoke with a soft, smooth voice that gave Munkustrap gentle chills. It was strangely pleasant. "I'm not exactly used to approaching people."

Munkustrap arched a brow. "What makes me different?"

"All of the other cats seem to trust you." She quietly replied. "They look up to you." Munkustrap's cheek twitched and his mannerisms became painfully uneasy. Had she said something wrong? He turned away from her and she apologized. It had been so long since she interacted with another at face-to-face that she had no idea what the right or wrong thing to say was. She had only honestly stated what she'd observed. Munkustrap found that he was overreacting and faced her once more.

"Why'd you come looking for me?" He went straight to the necessary questions.

Demeter was caught off guard and she stammered a little before answering. "I... wanted to help you." She saw his expression change and could tell that he was skeptical. "I heard about what happened. Macavity took somebody from the tribe."

Munkustrap's heart skipped a beat. "Do you know him?"

"Well, not anymore." That only made it worse. Her nerves flared up. "I knew him once, but that's because I thought he was someone different. I was naive back then." He gave her a look as if he knew she was up to something, but he was entirely wrong! He'd just been trained so well to never trust outsiders. "You don't believe me?"

"We've never even met and all of the sudden you want to help me find Macavity?"

All right, fair point. "I never had a reason to speak to you before. I was afraid that if I got too close, Macavity might come looking for me and find you all as well."

Now the tom was more curious than suspicious. "Why would he be looking for you?" Demeter grit her teeth; she had no desire to spout such words to someone so dignified. But what other choice did she have?

"I used to be his mate." Munkustrap's heart sank and his thoughts made a complete one-eighty degree turn. She looked ashamed. "It was nice at first... He was a real gentlecat. He never forced himself on me... not even after things started to change. It's just he'd never let me leave." She looked down to the ground. "When it became too much, I left the first chance I got. That was months ago."

"What made you stick around this area?"

Demeter looked up into his eyes. "Your tribe." She said plainly. "Something about the unity of your kind made me want to stay. Once I got into my head that I could be a part of you all, I couldn't get rid of it." She spoke with sincerity so pure and gentle that Munkustrap felt like he'd known her in a past life, or two lives ago. Suddenly, they were no longer strangers. "I promise I mean you no harm." She knelt on one knee and respectfully held out her paw. "I know where Macavity's hideaways are, and I promise to take you to him and help find your friend."

Munkustrap was reluctant to accept right away. He had other concerns now. "What about you? What will he do if he sees you?"

"I'm full-grown; I can take care of myself now." She said calmly and awaited his acceptance. Munkustrap rubbed his paw against hers – trust had been earned.

Demeter

Walking beside the Jellicle leader for the first time was almost like an out-of-body experience for Demeter. She hadn't been so close to one of her kind since leaving Macavity. She didn't find it necessary to go into the details yet; maybe once they knew each other a little better... She hoped they'd become better friends through this journey. Right now she had to make an effort of sniffing out Macavity's hideout and not make it obvious to any rats that might be watching that they were looking for him. "He has eyes everywhere." She told Munkustrap. "That's how he makes his getaways – he always knows when someone's on his tail." They crossed the empty street and started across an abandoned lot.

"How long were you with him?" Demeter shot a look at him. "If you don't mind answering." Munkustrap nervously threw in. Demeter felt she'd reacted too harshly—she could only see kindness in the tomcat's eyes. He himself seemed unsure and demure as he asked.

"Six weeks." Six cat weeks, to make it clear. Much longer than human weeks. Munkustrap was surprised anyone could be with a cat so infamous for that amount of time. "It wasn't all bad... It really opened my eyes, if that makes any sense."

Munkustrap's tail curiously swished. "What do you mean?"

The nametag on Demeter's collar jingled as she came to a stop. "I was raised by humans. I didn't know much about the world when I met him. I didn't know much about anything at all, really." She sheepishly admitted.

The Jellicle had suspected, but he was rather surprised. "You're a—" He stopped himself; his lips smacked shut. But Demeter already knew.

"Go ahead, say it." Her tone was icy and defensive. "A pet." She was well aware of the hubris strays had about themselves. They were known by the animals in her old community as 'the free felines.' To pets, strays were inconsequent and filthy. To strays, pets were haughty and conceited. Demeter couldn't understand the mindset; weren't all cats the same? Her philosophy was to see all cats as equals... but now she'd find out if a free feline could even understand the idea. The entire time they spoke, Demeter was studying Munkustrap's eyes. They exuded a gentleness with every expression he made. One that felt like home. One of modesty as he changed his manner.

"No!" Munkustrap looked mortified; he didn't want to offend her! "I'm just surprised. I see you so often that I'd thought you were a stray."

Demeter sniggered, a slight blush came to her cheeks. She was both endeared and abashed at once. "Well, I used to be a pet." Munkustrap cocked his head to the side. "The humans I lived with were wonderful. I was their family, and they were mine. They were the only family I'd ever had." She said fondly. "About two human years after they brought me home was when the woman had a baby. Have you ever seen a human baby?"

Munkustrap shook his head. "I've never gotten familiar with humans, to tell you the truth."

She smiled widely. "They're adorable. They're like little kittens, only squishier and no fur anywhere... they have teeny little hands and feet. Hands are what humans call their paws." Her heart was warmed by the sweet memories of the woman's baby boy. She missed him. She missed them. "But every time I got near the baby, he'd get welts a little while after. Once it got so bad that they had to take him to a hospital." Munkustrap blinked. "That's where humans go to take care of their sick... apparently the baby wasn't breathing right and his throat was almost closed." Her voice grew more somber; she'd never spoken about this aloud to anyone, not even Macavity. Munkustrap was rapt, but full of compassion as he listened. "The humans figured out I was making the baby sick. They were talking about what they should do. The man wanted to let me stay in the backyard, but the woman said it might not be safe because of the neighbor's dogs. The girl didn't want me to leave, but every time I thought of the baby, I thought of how I wanted him to grow up sprightly and healthy like her... I couldn't let them make that decision." Demeter took a deep breath. "I scratched on the window so the man would open it; I liked to lie on the ledge during the day if it was sunny. But anyway, when he went into the other room, I jumped out... and I walked away... I never looked back." Munkustrap was mesmerized—moved. His heart ached for her. He didn't know humans had the capacity to love a cat as much as hers did... and he was equally amazed by how she spoke of them with so much tenderness.

It made him think of what if he'd ever have to leave his own tribe for their well-beings... he'd do it for them, but there was no way he'd be as brave about it.

Demeter was not finished. "A little while after was when I met Macavity. He found me scrounging for food in a dumpster since I wasn't the best hunter at the time... He was really sweet to me. He taught me a lot about the city and getting around, how to be light on my feet, all those sorts of things. I'd thought I'd found my Prince Charming." She laughed. She needed to laugh at her own foolishness – what else could she do now that it was in the past? Munkustrap couldn't help but chortle along.

"Prince Charming?"

"In the girl's 'tapes,' something that shows moving pictures on a box they call a television, women would sing about their Prince Charmings and they would always end up falling in love and living 'happily ever after.'" She rolled her eyes, but wore a smile. "It was so silly."

"We're all silly when we're young." Munkustrap reassured. Demeter's eyes lightened and she looked at him, half-expecting to hear one of his own stories. Munkustrap sensed this and he thought of where to start. "I used to tell my little brother all kinds of crazy stories and make him believe they were real... sometimes just to scare him, because I was cruel." He chuckled. If Tugger were here, he'd confirm that in a heartbeat.

"Is he the one with the leopard spots and fuzzy mane?" Munkustrap grinned widely and nodded. That's him all right! He was laughing at her description. "He's your little brother?"

"He wasn't always that tall, and his mane wasn't always so fluffy. He also used to be quiet, which is hard to believe. If he were here, he'd say that he's the better-looking brother." Demeter easily believed that; she'd seen his wild, anarchic performances and the girls all squealing over every movement of his pelvis. Demeter would roll her eyes and shake her head. Yes, he was good-looking, but a bit too silly for her taste. To her, Munkustrap was just as handsome... if not more so! Most of his beauty came from his humility – Demeter always felt this way about the tomcats she found herself attracted to. Modesty was alluring... Macavity had put on a modest facade. But unlike Macavity, Munkustrap was not taking advantage of her desperate situation; he also wasn't as quick to share his stories and listen so politely.

She felt closer to him in these few moments than she ever did during her time with Macavity. But this was all going on inside – Munkustrap had no idea how deeply she was feeling.

In fact, he seemed to forget they had a job to do. He was trying to think of something interesting to tell. "My brother and I loved Stalk and Pounce when we were kittens; sometimes he'd creep up on me when I wasn't paying attention and get the upper-paw... but I used to know to swipe his arm off and he'd topple over. I could never do that now." Demeter grinned warmly. "We used to have it so easy... we used to be a lot closer." He could remember little Tugger rolling around him, nibbling his ear, tackling him in a play-fight. He'd do anything for his big brother's attention. Demeter was noticing Munkustrap's change in expression. He looked solemn. "I'll never forget when our father came up to us one day and said he had something important to talk to me about... he said it was time for be to start learning responsibility, because once he passes, I'll be in charge of the tribe." Demeter knew it! So that was why he was always running around with something to do. Poor thing must have so much pressure.

"That's a big burden to carry."

"It's not a burden. I'd do anything to take care of the Jellicles... it's just that sometimes I don't know what they want from me." His eyes dimmed. "I want Dad to be proud of me. I want him to know that his tribe's in good paws when he dies." This was suddenly becoming very liberating for the both of them. Demeter scooted closer and heeded his words. Munkustrap sighed deeply. "My brother was right. I have no idea what I'm gonna do when he's gone." He said as he concurrently came to the realization. "I have no idea how I'm gonna take care of everyone or how I'm gonna keep them safe. I couldn't even keep my own father safe!" His voice shuddered and Demeter closed the space between them. Even if all she could offer was her silent support, at least it was something.

"You're out here looking for him now, and we're close! Look how far you've come to bring him home." She comfortingly rubbed his arm. "You'll know what to do when the time comes." Munkustrap took deep breaths to calm himself. No need to get emotional; she was right, after all. He'd come far, and with her help, there was no doubt that he'd find Old Deuteronomy and bring him home safe.

"Thank you." He whispered. Demeter nodded and Munkustrap caressed her paw out of gratitude. Her touch was as soothing as the daylight, as far away as it was. Now that he'd had some catharsis, he knew he could press on.