Chapter Twenty: A Stained Existence
A/N: So I've decided to add the bump! There will be somewhere around 30 chapters of this story according to how I have it mapped out in my mind. I hope you enjoy this extension and I also hope you continue to read and review!
Everyone was in a constant state of panic. Macavity's promise that he would return for Demeter put the entire tribe at risk and every feline knew it. Their nerves were frayed, raw, and particularly sensitive to the danger that now engulfed the routines and commonalities of their lives. One couldn't even walk about Jellicle territory at night without putting their lives at stake. Cats would begin retreating into the safety of their dens as the setting sun also retreated, disappearing below the horizon and leaving the Junkyard in a purple-navy haze of darkness.
Demeter was the worst among every one, so full of paranoia. Her imagination ran wild with scenarios and situations she might find herself in because of Macavity's determination to get what he wanted. How far would he go? Who would he hurt? What if someone was actually killed on her account?
It had only been a few days since she had nearly died, and the tension that had built in the Junkyard over that period of time was so intense that she almost wished Macavity would strike to put an end to all the struggles and fears.
She was lost in thought, her head lazily tilting to one side as her eyes studied the ground in an absent manner when suddenly…
"No, leave me alone!" someone had screamed. Demeter's head bolted upright and her eyes danced frantically in search of the source where the desperate plea originated from. There were more sounds of scuffling and arguing, the female voice squealing as though she were hurt, anxious to escape whatever it was that was disturbing her. A group of cats distorted Demeter's viewpoint, she couldn't see who was in trouble or who was causing the trouble. She stretched her neck, walking slowly toward the source of the noises. Gently, she wedged herself between cats and maneuvered forwards to the front of the cluster of felines.
Demeter sighed. It was a sign of relief.
After she had pushed her way through the minor gathering of cats, Demeter noticed Etcetera, playfully swatting Pouncival, who was flirting and tickling the young Jellicle, on the ear. Demeter thought how foolish she was for becoming so frightened by something which posed no threat to her whatsoever.
I can't live like this much longer. If Macavity doesn't do something soon I'm going to become a vessel for insanity. There won't be anything left of me if this keeps up. How can anyone live like this? It's madness!
"Are you okay?" a paw gently tapped her shoulder.
"Heaviside! Munkustrap! Don't do that!" Demeter jumped at his touch and unexpected sound of his voice. She had been so wrapped up in the commotion taking pace between Etcetera and Pouncival that she had no idea Munkustrap was anywhere near her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. You just seem more frazzled and tense than yesterday and I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help."
Demeter visibly relaxed. She slung her arms around Munkustrap's shoulders and hugged him, cherishing the security that accompanied his entire being, from his burly scent to his muscular frame. "You already are helping."
As Munkustrap coiled his arms around her much smaller body, Demeter closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of being held by someone who loves unconditionally.
"Is there anything else I can do? I don't like seeing you upset."
"I don't think so. I just want this to be over. I want Macavity to stop acting like a kitten and realize that he can't have everything he wants, that there's more to life than crime and violence." as Demeter finished her statement, she looked up at Munkustrap, who was staring off somewhere beyond the two of them. He looked down at her, placing a delicate kiss on the top of her head, before answering.
"That's all he's ever known. It would be difficult to teach him anything outside of that. He has no place outside of violence and crime."
Demeter looked dissatisfied with that answer. Huffing, she put her head back against Munkustrap's chest, listening to the sound of his rhythmically beating heart.
"He wasn't a criminal since the day of his birth. He had to be innocent some time, no?"
"I suppose, but that era of time is long gone and most likely will never see the light of existence again."
"I don't like the tom any more than you do, and I'm definitely not defending him, but if only there was something we could do to deter him from violence and crime, then maybe there wouldn't be as much to worry about, although it is hugely improbable that such a circumstance could ever surface, but it would do us a lot of good if that could happen, you know? Can you imagine a time when Macavity isn't a threat to us anymore? It's like a dream..." Demeter sighed, allowing her head to continue resting on Munkustrap's chest, counting the beats of his thumping heart. Although he was listening to Demeter, Munkustrap's attention was focused elsewhere, and for good reason.
"Demi…" the tone of Munkustrap's voice was flat, yet startled.
"Mmm?" her eyes were closed; she was relaxed and totally tranquil.
"You should get behind me. Now." With that comment, Demeter looked up at the tabby and spun around to follow his severe gaze.
Macavity, the red fiend, stood quietly in the midst of Jellicles. He spoke. "Don't panic. I'm not going to hurt anybody this time, as long as Demeter agrees to come with me."
"Where?" Demeter queried.
"To the Warehouse, of course. Come with me Demeter, and we can rule together. We'll be the perfect match. Things didn't work out right the first time, but I figured everyone deserves a second chance. This is your chance to do it right, Demeter. I'm not usually in such a generous mood, my darling, so please… choose wisely and quickly. Be my Queen." The last three words were spoken in a tone between a whisper and a song, eerie and enchanting.
Demeter was silent. Macavity took that as a signal to keep talking. "Be my Queen, Demeter, and no one will ever be hurt again. Be my thief, my mate, a mother to my kittens, a companion to support and pleasure me, and I will never haunt these lands again. This I promise." Macavity's voice was airy and light. It changed to something more threatening in the blink of an eye. "But, refuse this offer and I shall kill everyone you love, turn this garbage dump into a place of ruins, burnt remnants of a home that could be spared if you simply agree to be my lifelong partner. What do you think?"
"I think you're crazy, that's what I think! You tried to kill me, for Heaviside's sake! And now you want me to be your Queen, your number one employee, and mother of your kittens? You are a mastermind, indeed – a mastermind of insanity!"
"I'm sorry you feel that way. It's a shame someone will have to die because of your choice. Oh well. More fun for me, I guess." Macavity shrugged nonchalantly. "You'll change your mind. After the first murder you'll be begging me to accept an agreement to my terms. You'll be pleading at my paws, I know it."
Macavity walked over to Demeter, eliciting a growl from Munkustrap. He held a paw under her chin and whispered into her ear before vanishing, "Until next time, my sweet. Until next time…"
Demeter stood, frozen with astonishment and terror. It was coming true. Someone was going to die and it was going to be her fault.
That night, sleep refused to come for Demeter. She resisted sleep like a child resists downing a dose of cough syrup. She was too scared. Suppose during the night was the moment Macavity would attack and claim the life of someone she cared about, or set fire to the Junkyard, leaving nothing but "burnt remnants"? She couldn't let that happen, and she knew of only one way to prevent anything of the sort from taking place.
She was going to turn herself in.
What worth would her life amount to if it would be stained with guilt and innocent blood? She couldn't live with it, she couldn't live with herself…
A/N: Hopefully there will be more to come by the end of the weekend! Thanks for reading!