Chapter 10 – Willing to Sacrifice
A/N: Alright guys, here we go again. Demeter is now dead. But for how long? You'll have to read to find out. Enjoy . . .
Macavity sat in silence; Demeter in his arms. He bowed his head in shame, sorrow, and regret.
How could I be so cruel? She begged for me to help her. She trusted me, depended on me; and now she is dead by my paw. What's wrong with me? How could I be so cruel?
He sobbed. Her voice echoed in his mind; the whole moment of her death replaying over and over again in his memory. It would haunt him forever; and he accepted such punishment.
She didn't deserve it. She didn't deserve to die; especially not that way. She was only trying to help me, to save me; because she . . . she still loved me. I left her alone all that time; and yet she still believed in me; even when I didn't believe in myself. If only I could undo the damage I've done. If only I could undo all the pain I've ever caused her.
"What have you done?!" Munkustrap appeared in the doorway. He froze as his eyes fell upon the situation. Macavity lifted his bowed head; eyes red, face stained with tears. He rose with the dead queen in his arms. He stepped forward and passed the body to the silver tabby. Munkustrap frowned at Demeter's current state; at the blood-crusted gash in her stomach. He raised his head slowly to Macavity; tears streaming down his own face now. Macavity finally spoke in a voice trembling and defeated, "Go."
Munkustrap, still incredulous, gradually made his way to the entrance of the Warehouse. Visions of Demeter whirled in his head. He thought of her birthday; how happy and alive she'd been. He recalled how she told him how fast her heart would beat whenever he was near; like the rapid flowing stream. Now her heart didn't beat at all.
He missed so much about her already. But he wouldn't allow himself to mourn yet. He had to try to save her. But her bloodied body had revealed that the damage was done; what more was there to do? What more could be done? He strolled through the corridor at a slow pace; mind numb and still attempting to register everything that had happened.
Rumpleteazer and Bombalurina were anxiously waiting for Munkustrap. As he and who he was carrying came into view, they both gasped and rushed to him. "Munkustrap! What happened?" Bombalurina questioned anxiously. He didn't respond, but only continued to walk while staring down at Demeter.
"Munkustrap? Is she . . ." Rumpleteazer couldn't bear to finish the question. He stopped walking and his eyes closed. The two girls watched the tears from his eyes fall onto Demeter's fur.
"We 'ave to 'elp 'er." Rumple declared.
"It's too late for that." Munkustrap said.
"No it's not! We can't just give up!" Bombalurina protested.
"You don't understand. He killed her. She's dead. Can't you tell?" Munkustrap grumbled angrily.
"Bomby's roight. We go' to try."
"Listen to me Munku, she may still have a chance. But you need to believe and have hope. Don't lose faith. Don't give up." Bombalurina put her paw against Demeter's cheek. "Don't give up on her. She needs you."
Something seemed to click inside Munkustrap. "I'm not going to give up. I won't abandon her as Macavity did. I vowed to love her and protect her. And that's just what I'll do." Munkustrap exclaimed with new-found confidence.
They left the Warehouse and headed to the Junkyard. There was only a small amount of daylight left by the time they arrived. Night was approaching and the clouds were gray with foreboding rains.
"Someone get Old Deuteronomy." Munkustrap commanded. Rumpleteazer rushed out of sight. He stood in the center of the Junkyard with Demeter. Bombalurina remained beside him. A group of cats; Etcetera, Jemima, Victoria, Casandra, Jennyanydots, Jellylorum, Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, Misto, and the Rum Tum Tugger; gathered around. Old Deuteronomy approached Munkustrap and examined Demeter. His grave expression said it all. "Please, there must be something you can do." Bombalurina begged, crying softly.
"I'm sorry, but there's nothing more that can be done." He replied.
"Yes there is." said a voice from beyond the crowd. Everyone turned to find Macavity sitting atop the fence. "Before you chase me off, you might want to consider my proposal."
"You've got no purpose or business here. Leave at once or be fought against." Alonzo threatened.
"Wait." Munkustrap ordered. "Let's hear this proposal."
"I pass my life essence." He replied simply.
"Huh?" Bombalurina questioned.
"It's quite simple. But I'll need an approval from Old Deuteronomy." Macavity explained.
"How does this work exactly?" Munkustrap asked. "And how do we know to trust you?" Bombal added.
"Old Deuteronomy performs a short invocation. The Everlasting Cat does the rest." Macavity claimed.
The expressions of confusion remained plastered on every cats face. "What he means to say," Old Deuteronomy started, "is of something called the Jellicle transference." He continued to explain. "It's when one Jellicle passes their life onto another's. In terms, one dies so another can live."
"Demeter died by my paw. Let me prove myself worthy. Let me give life to such deserving a cat. Let me do the right thing . . . for once." Macavity stated.
Each cat gazed upon Macavity with new respect. Munkustrap thought and then;
"Let's do it."
A/N: I tried to write that as least confusing as possible. Sorry . . . R&R?