I feel a little mean...
Gradually, the ringing got quieter, then stopped completely. Pounce was in front of me, all seriousness. Jules and Tyler were over by Tantomile, looking concerned for both her and me. Sillabub was nowhere to be seen - she was probably getting us food or something.
"You okay?" Peter asked, his dark eyes concerned.
"No." I complained, standing back up.
"What was it?"
"My ears started ringing like they used to, but after all the nothingness I've been hearing, it sounded like a train whistle right beside me combined with a loud honk from a truck." Well, that was a lovely way of putting it. But, truthfully, it had been awful. If only because I'd thought I'd might be able to hear again. No such luck.
"Can... can you hear again?" Jules asked, I think. The moonlight didn't travel well through the trees and the roof Sillabub had built, so I had trouble making things out.
"No." I couldn't help it. A tear went down my cheek and hit the otherwise dry forest floor. I had been so, so close.
Pounce pulled me into a hug, obviously sensing how disappointed I was. That's when the tears started really flowing. These three mutants, at least (Pounce, Jemima, and Tumblebrutus) felt what I was going through the most. They realized, unlike the others, that I didn't hear as much as I let on. Some people just took it for granted that I could read lips, or sense vibrations. These three were careful. They knew.
Eventually, the shaky breaths subsided. "Now," I said decisively, "on to finding Cori, and the other twins. Tantomile, can you send out any more brain messages without, like, tearing your brain in two? Jem, we can use your phone too."
Tantomile looked like she was in a little more pain for a moment, then nodded. "I can get Cettie's group. They're the only ones that are close enough for me to get. If Cori was here..." She trailed off. "Anyway, I'll get them."
So, using mostly Jules's phone, and a little bit of Tanto's powers, we got the word out that the other Jellicles should come. That Coricopat, Teazer, and Jerrie had been taken from Macavity. That everyone should be braced for a fight.
I swear the word was out for no less than fifteen minutes before Misto materialized with Cettie, Electra, and Plato in tow. Cettie opened her mouth -probably squealing or something- and hug-tackled-pounced me.
I laughed, "Missed you too."
Mistoffelees and Tumble were talking about something, and then Misto nodded, and disappeared. "No more smoke with his teleport," I said, "I'm impressed."
Lec laughed from her spot near Tantomile.
Sillabub walked in then -I'm not sure if she even has a human name anymore- looked around, and laughed. I guess this was like a huge reunion to her. Electra hugged her. Those two and Jem had been really close when Sillabub lived with us.
Jem yawned. "I'm tired. Sleep is needed." I looked around. I figured it'd be better if we shifted to sleep, to save room.
I slipped behind a couple of trees, took my clothes off, then shifted. Being a cat made it a heck of a lot easier to see.
Jeans, sneakers, T-shirt, and sweatshirt stuffed into my mouth, I made it back to the clearing where everyone was.
Electra laughed. "I believe Vicky's conveying a message." With the better senses, I could now tell what she was saying. Which was a huge relief.
"She has a good point, though. Our cat selves run higher body temps, plus, wet clothes are pains in the butts. Plus, I haven't been in cat form in forever." Cettie told her.
Sillabub rolled her eyes at them. "So I broke into my clothing store and shifted into human for nothing?"
"Yep." Jemmy told her, her eyes alight with laughter.
That's when the others froze, and I felt every single hair on my pelt rise. Turning my head slightly, I saw Macavity -human form- mouth open in the most evil laughter I've ever known. Even not hearing it made me feel like bolting. That's when I realized he had blue sparks crackling at his glowing hands. That's also when I noticed those hands were pointed at me.
[A/N] Now I REALLY feel mean. Sorry I've been horribly inactive on here recently. :/