A/N: Wow! Someone actually wants me to write the next part to this series! *pleased grin* It's been written for a while, I just never posted it because I didn't' think anyone was reading it....anyway, here 'tis.
The true panic began when Exotica's body was found. Before, the deaths had stayed connected within the same relative group of cats, and there were possible motives for each murder. But Exotica was a loner; she kept to herself, joining Admetus or Cassandra on occasion. She was viewed as shy and unobtrusive, not a murder victim. It was amazing how the death of one so quiet could cause such a stir.
A meeting was held the day of her burial, with every Jellicle in attendance. Old Deuteronomy regarded his tribe, his children. One of them could be a murderer, and there was no way of knowing who. He spoke gravely.
"Jellicles, you all know why we're here. All of us." he added, glancing to where Macavity stood on the outskirts of the group. "Whether the recent deaths are the work of an outside evil or other sources is not easy to determine. However, some precautionary measures need to be taken. Let no cat ever be left alone, but stay in pairs or groups at all times."
A murmur of agreement spread through the crowd, save for one cat. "Damn. This makes things more difficult." the Jellicle thought, all the while nodding in consent with the others.
~*~*~*~*~
Nearly three weeks passed, and the Yard had been free of incidents. Some of the Jellicles had begun to relax somewhat, becoming more at ease with one another. That, however, was soon to change.
An ear-piercing shriek rang through the Junkyard on a moonless midnight. The shriek was soon followed by another, a bone-chilling, hysterical sound, as two female voices screamed and sobbed together.
Jemima, the youngest and sweetest kitten, lay in the sleeping place she shared with her sister. Blood pooled around her head, staining the white patches in her fur crimson. Her throat had been slit.
Jennyanydots knelt down beside her murdered daughter, screaming and rocking back and forth as her mate wrapped his arms around her, tears streaming down his own face. Electra stood in shock, her eyes transfixed to her sister's bloody body as she let out choked, gasping sobs.
Other cats had begun to arrive at the scene, and many more screams were issued. Someone asked "Who was supposed to be with her?"
All eyes traveled to Electra.
"What happened?" Munkustrap demanded. The tortoiseshell kitten looked slowly from the tom back to her sister. Her reply was numb.
"I...I woke up...and...."
The gray tabby gave her a cold look. "Until we have proof you are innocent, I hereby charge you with the murder of your younger sister, Jemima."
"No!" Jenny screamed, scrambling to her feet and grabbing Electra's shoulders. "Leccy, tell me you didn't do it." she pleaded, searching her daughter's eyes.
"I didn't, Mama, I swear..."
Munkustrap cut her off. "Then who did?" Electra stared back and forth between the Jellicles forming a circle around her, with only her mother and father remaining as comfort.
"I....I don't know....I was asleep, I swear...."
"Take her away."
The true panic began when Exotica's body was found. Before, the deaths had stayed connected within the same relative group of cats, and there were possible motives for each murder. But Exotica was a loner; she kept to herself, joining Admetus or Cassandra on occasion. She was viewed as shy and unobtrusive, not a murder victim. It was amazing how the death of one so quiet could cause such a stir.
A meeting was held the day of her burial, with every Jellicle in attendance. Old Deuteronomy regarded his tribe, his children. One of them could be a murderer, and there was no way of knowing who. He spoke gravely.
"Jellicles, you all know why we're here. All of us." he added, glancing to where Macavity stood on the outskirts of the group. "Whether the recent deaths are the work of an outside evil or other sources is not easy to determine. However, some precautionary measures need to be taken. Let no cat ever be left alone, but stay in pairs or groups at all times."
A murmur of agreement spread through the crowd, save for one cat. "Damn. This makes things more difficult." the Jellicle thought, all the while nodding in consent with the others.
~*~*~*~*~
Nearly three weeks passed, and the Yard had been free of incidents. Some of the Jellicles had begun to relax somewhat, becoming more at ease with one another. That, however, was soon to change.
An ear-piercing shriek rang through the Junkyard on a moonless midnight. The shriek was soon followed by another, a bone-chilling, hysterical sound, as two female voices screamed and sobbed together.
Jemima, the youngest and sweetest kitten, lay in the sleeping place she shared with her sister. Blood pooled around her head, staining the white patches in her fur crimson. Her throat had been slit.
Jennyanydots knelt down beside her murdered daughter, screaming and rocking back and forth as her mate wrapped his arms around her, tears streaming down his own face. Electra stood in shock, her eyes transfixed to her sister's bloody body as she let out choked, gasping sobs.
Other cats had begun to arrive at the scene, and many more screams were issued. Someone asked "Who was supposed to be with her?"
All eyes traveled to Electra.
"What happened?" Munkustrap demanded. The tortoiseshell kitten looked slowly from the tom back to her sister. Her reply was numb.
"I...I woke up...and...."
The gray tabby gave her a cold look. "Until we have proof you are innocent, I hereby charge you with the murder of your younger sister, Jemima."
"No!" Jenny screamed, scrambling to her feet and grabbing Electra's shoulders. "Leccy, tell me you didn't do it." she pleaded, searching her daughter's eyes.
"I didn't, Mama, I swear..."
Munkustrap cut her off. "Then who did?" Electra stared back and forth between the Jellicles forming a circle around her, with only her mother and father remaining as comfort.
"I....I don't know....I was asleep, I swear...."
"Take her away."