"He died!" She screamed hysterically, as he advanced towards her menacingly. "He…he killed himself! Last year! Before the Jellicle ball!"
"Oh?" A cynical golden eyebrow rose. "I don't recall hearing about that, my dear."
"It's the truth. I swear." Sobbing, her trembling white paws raised in supplication, she stumbled over her words. "He wanted to try and join her…" Her aggressor paced away silently, half-listening. "She…she said she'd wait for him…but he had to become one too…to stay with her…"
"Become one?" Careful to conceal his intrigue, he glanced carelessly back over his shoulder at her.
"A human." The kitten pulled herself to her paws, her confidence in her safety growing. "They couldn't go to the Heaviside Layer separately cos they were special. He had to become one."
"She became a human and he had to die so he could become one too?" The kitten nodded as he approached her again. Running a paw down her tear-streaked face he smiled. "That wasn't so bad?" He slammed her against the wall, his paw pressing murderously down on her slim throat. Ignoring her futile struggles, he raised an eyebrow and finished. "Was it?"
As the body went limp, Macavity lowered his paw with a deep sigh. She had served her purpose, told him what he needed to know and – in the same instant – outlived her usefulness to him.
Sitting back on his haunches, he licked his forepaw and started to groom his tangled fur, as he always did when he was deep in thought.
"Dispose of that piece of rubbish." He growled, rising to his paws again. "I don't like to see it lying around."
Immediately, the body disappeared, as the ruthless mystery cat paced ponderously across the room, his eyes calculating and cruel.
"Uh…sir? What did she say?"
Glancing at the agent out of the corner of his, Macavity sat down and quietly replied. "That the feeble Jellicle killed himself for love."
"You won! If they both died, you beat them, boss! You won!"
"No," Macavity shook his head. "They won. Their love defeated me. They live on in a different form. They are still happy." He sighed slowly, unsheathing his claws. "They became human. There's nothing I can do. They were destined to go to the Heaviside together and now they will."
"Geez, boss." The agent frowned. "This is the first time you've let somebody beat you."
"What did you say?" The voice was calm, but anyone close enough could see the malevolence gleaming in the half-hooded, sunken eyes.
"It's the first time you l…" He choked off as Macavity pinned him, savagely digging his claws into the helpless tom's throat.
"I never let anyone beat me." He growled, his face terrible. "And I don't intend to start now." Glaring at the tom, he added menacingly. "Is that clear?"
"Yessir!" He gasped raspingly, feeling the claws drop away, thanking the everlasting cat that he was one of Macavity's most valued agents. That fact had saved his skin more times than he dared count.
"But Mac, darlin'…" His latest queen raised her golden eyes to him. "They're human. Ye're…well, ye're just a flea-bitten cat."
"That's true, my dear." Silkily running his eyes down her sleek body, he smiled knowingly. "But then, so were they." A cool smile curved the corner of his lips. "And I intend to do what they did."
"C'mon boss!" Argued one of the toms. "Killing yerself for revenge is goin' a bit far! It might not work and then you'd be dead and they'd still be happy!"
"It's the principal of the matter." Macavity rubbed his back up against the splintering walls with a sigh, his eyes half-closed in thought.
"Principal?"
"I can not allow them to believe they have defeated me!" he spat angrily. "And if I must die to prove it, I will."
"How can you be sure it'll work?" One of his sophisticated, Earl's Court agents raised a neat eyebrow.
"You just asked the $64,000 question." Turning to face the tom, Macavity smiled and icy smile. "I'll just have to test the theory." Slashing at the feline's throat, he stepped back to avoid the sudden spurt of blood.
"Boss?" Reeling weakly, the tom collapsed in a puddle of his own blood. "Wh…?"
Squatting down, Macavity smiled gently. "It's for your own good, Phipps. If you manage to get into a human body, come back here and let us see it has worked. If not… well, enjoy the Heaviside, my friend."
Phipps' green eyes grew glassy, a rattle escaping his lips. Macavity smiled once more, looking up at the window above them. "And now," he murmured. "I'm going to go on a hunt for our illusive Munkustrap and Demeter. Each of you take and area and report back to me."
*
"So, where do we eat?" Jamming one hand into the pocket of his jeans, Menke eyed his fiancee, a mischievous expression on his face. "And do you have enough money to pay for me too?"
"Cheeky bugger." Squeezing his hand, she smiled, pushing her long black and gold hair back from her face, lowering her hand to gaze at the engagement ring that adorned her wedding finger. Strangely enough, it bore an uncanny resemblance to a Munkustrap collar, although she couldn't imagine why.
"You're not regretting it, are you?" He gazed at her, his beautiful green eyes mesmerising. "The engagement, I mean?"
"Don't be silly!" Hugging him, she grinned, resting her head against his powerful shoulder. "I need someone who is strong enough to carry my boxes for me!"
Shaking his head with a laugh, he lowered his head to steal a quick kiss from her, rubbing his forehead gently against hers. "Still, we gotta go eat before I starve," He whined, rubbing his head against her shoulder pleadingly. "I do have another show to do, ya know!"
"Well, here we go." Sticking her chin out cheekily, she marched into the small café she often visited in Covent Garden, gesturing for him to follow. "We'll do the Annie Lawson special, ok? Sausage rolls and orange juice."
Rolling his eyes, he let her get the food and drinks, waiting for her outside the small shop. Watching the crowds bustle by, he looked down as something brushed against his ankle and gave a throaty chuckle.
"My, my." He squatted down to look at the tatty ginger cat. "Lookie what we have here. You wouldn't happen to be a friend of a certain Macavity would you?"
Hissing, the cat leapt away from him, its hackles raised, its tail whipping fiercely back and forth.
"You certainly share his sweet temperament." Menke grinned, wondering if he should talk in the Jellicle dialect and see what kind of a response it would trigger as Demi walked out of the shop, a paper bag clutched in her slim hand. "Look, love." He pointed at the pavement, grinning at her.
"Look at what, Menke?" She looked down. "What's so special about the pavement?"
Frowning, Menke felt a tingle of worry run up his spine. Macavity's not there…that was the thing that had always scared him about that cat: that terrifying disappearing act. Could it have been Macavity? Surely not. What were the chances of Macavity tracking him down like that? "Uh…never mind… is there anything you wanted to talk to me about, love?"
Leading him over to the sunniest spot she could see, she perched on the kerb and patted the space beside her with a provocative smile. "I have a suggestion, darlin'…and I suggest you hear me out."
"Whatevah…can I get my sausage roll?" His unblinking green eyes locking with hers, she couldn't help but grin. She could never keep a straight face, even when he wasn't trying to outstare her.
Holding the bag behind her, she shook her head. "Not until you listen to what I'm saying, matey." Wagging her finger severely, she frowned as he continued to stare longingly at the bag. Pushing it behind her back, she cupped his chin in her slim hands.
"Eh? What did you say? I wasn't listening." The mischievous, mock-innocent look had returned to his face. Leaning closer, he stared her in the eyes again, blinking furiously. "I'll listen, I promise…if you give me the food!"
"Not a chaaaaaaaaaargh!" Pinned down by her fiance, she yelped as he sat firmly on her stomach and snatched the bag of food. Dropping back and crouching defensively over the contents, his bared teeth only made her giggle more. "You cheat! You big old hairy cheat!"
"You're only saying that because I outsmarted you again." Mumbling around a mouthful of sausage and pastry, he grinned like a naughty child, bulging his cheeks like a hamster's, his eyes squeezed shut.
"Outsized me, more like!" She hissed, feigning annoyance, brushing some dirt off her back with an impatient hand. Grabbing the front of his shirt, she pulled his face close to hers. "Now listen to me, you big lout!"
"Big…good choice of words, sweetheart." Kissing her teasingly on the nose, he raised his eyebrows suggestively.
"Headed." She retorted quickly, narrowing her golden eyes at him, her temptaion to giggle again getting stronger with every second. "Now, are you going to behave or not?"
"Will I get a scooby snack?" She could almost picture his tail wagging eagerly.
Rolling her eyes, she patted him fondly on the head and shook her head. "You'll get me though. Isn't that a better reward."
Shrugging expressively, he muttered. "If you say so…" Swallowing a mouthful of orange juice, he cheerfully enquired. "So, are you coming to see me perform again, next weekend, love?"
"I have to wait a whole week?" Throwing her hand dramatically to her brow, she pouted and shook her head. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about, darlin'. I wanna see Starlight Express next weekend."
"Starlight schmarlight." He grinned engagingly. "That show is nothing! It lacks the one thing that makes West End shows good and you're looking at it."
"Sausage rolls?" Raising a blank eyebrow, Demi leaned forward and gently squeezed his hand, pouting prettily up at him. "But if you really loved me, you'd come and see it with me."
"Nice try." He murmured, kissing her fingertips lightly. "But if you loved me, you'd come and see me in CATS again."
Snatching her hand away, she glared at him "You're impossible!" She snapped sharply, folding her arms and turning away from him sulkily.
"Stop being childish." He chided fondly, sliding closer. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he huskily whispered. "It doesn't suit you, you ravishingly sexy creature."
"Please, Munk." Turning to face him, resorting to his old nickname, raising her golden eyes to him imploringly. "You never know…you might enjoy it…"
"Nothing you can say will make me change my mi…"His eyes suddenly widened, as she ran her head up his body and purred huskily in his ear, her cheek lightly brushing against his as her fingers traced gently under his smooth-shaven chin. "You still remember that?" He breathed, a shiver running through him.
"Your weakness?" She grinned impishly. "Sure I do…" Cupping his face in her slim hands, she whispered sexily. "And its not all that I remember…" Trailing off, she raised a suggestive eyebrow.
"Oh?" A silver and black eyebrow mimicked her motion.
"Oh yes." Pulling back with a provocative smile, she lowered her voice, her lips close to his ear. "On a condition…"
"If you remember what I think you do…" Nuzzling his ear, her fingers tangling through his silk-like hair, she purred deeply and he moaned weakly in surrender. "Okay! Okay! You got yourself a deal! I'll do anything you say!"
"Anything?"
"Anything."
Patting his thigh, she stood up with a grin. "There." She smiled. "That wasn't so hard was it?" Prodding her glazed-over fiance, she prompted. "Was it? Menke?"
Raising his eyes to hers, a dopey grin on his face, he chuckled. "Anything…whoa momma! It was worth it!"
*
It's mine now. This is my body! I don't care what you're saying, I found you, I took you, so you're mine now.
Maybe I was a horrible little cat once, but now look at me! Human! And jolly good-looking even if I do say so myself! Maybe Macavity's killing me was a good thing, I mean, I could do so much to this world…
This body was apparently wealthy, like my owners…hah! No one owns me now! I can do what I like and when I like and I know just how to make this body behave as it used to as well.
Maybe the voice of the past…er…occupant will shut up soon. He's not happy about being taken over, but I mean him no harm. If I can be rich and successful as a human, perhaps we can work together.
Mind you, these feet take some getting used to…balance is difficult, but I have to learn. Standing upright, I'm tall, very tall and – oddly enough – I look just as I imagined myself as a human. Strangely like my former owner.
I must find the boss. I don't know why, but I feel like I owe him something for this… situation. Maybe it's my way of saying thanks. Or maybe there's some other reason for me needing him around…
Picking up my 'briefcase', I know where I have to go. Back to the Lair, if I can find the way without my senses being as strong as they once were.
*
Storming back and forth across the floor of the lair, his eyes blazing, Macavity hissed and spat his rage. None of the strays dared to approach him, as he snapped out his claws, slamming them into the panelled wall, tearing the massive boards down.
"I don't believe it." He growled, his fur bristling, his tail thrashing wildly. "They are both alive and they are together."
"Calm down, darling." A strange, slightly lisping male voice interrupted from the broken doorway. "That's no way to behave."
Whirling around, Macavity leaned backwards to stare up at the human, his face the epitomy of surprise.
The man was tall and impeccably dressed in a made-to-measure suit, with neatly trimmed, slicked-down black hair, a pair of stylish glasses perched on his long, slender nose. His face was thin, with the traditional upper-class pomposity written into his features. A briefcase hung from one almost-feminine hand, as he examined the perfectly manicured nails of his other hand.
"Phipps?" Shaking his head in disbelief at his agent, Macavity met the pale blue eyes with curiosity.
"Cedric Phipps." The man replied conversationally, taking off his glasses and removing a pocket kerchief to clean the already pristine lenses. "I'm assuming you have noticed my…new look, sir."
"It worked." Macavity breathed, a triumphant gleam returning to his eyes. "How did you do it, Phipps?"
Leaning on the edge of a dusty desk, Phipps smiled enigmatically. "You know I never left a job unfinished, sir." Macavity nodded, the gears of his mind bursting to life. "I decided that this was a job I had to do, just before I died. To do it, my spirit had to stay, since I had…well…work I had left unfinished." Shrugging elaborately, he concluded. "I found a suitable body and went in and here I am, darling! Isn't it fabulous?"
"A suitable body?" Raising an eyebrow, Macavity reluctantly had to admit he couldn't picture Phipps in any other body. He looked like he was in his mid-forties and was exceptionally sophisticated-looking.
Nodding once, Phipps smiled broadly. "I saw this chap and I knew I could use him." Tracing one finger across the back of his other hand, he chuckled deeply. "I mean, its just so me!"
"And you just…went into him?"
"That's exactly it, sir. And not only is he..." Striking a dramatic pose, he continued. "Exceptionally good-looking, but he's also apparently a rich business man, which could help you, if you want to retain the services of your agents as humans…we could keep the crime ring going, especially considering come of the connections this chap has."
"All I have to do is find myself a suitable body?" How hard could that be? He already had one particular character in mind. Now, all he had to do was check they were – indeed – compatable.
*
It had to be them. Who else could it be apart from that treacherous Jellicle and his precious little Demeter. Crouching down in the shadows, as the pair entered the small building, Macavity's lips drew back from his teeth in a snarl.
"Hello, puss." A slurred human's voice spoke, a clumsy hand landing heavily on the wiry tom's tail.
What have we here? Macavity released a pathetic little 'Miaow' as the human roughly picked him up and plopped him unceremoniously in his stinking lap, one hand ruffling the cat's straggly fur.
Feigning contentment, Macavity scrutinised his assailant. He knew him, recognised him after several days of lurking outside the 'workplace' – as humans called it – of Demeter.
The man was a beggar. A vagrant. And, Macavity had noted with approval, a person Demeter often fed and watered, out of the goodness of her heart, something the ginger tom found particularly pathetic. If this creature didn't make an effort to improve his station, why bother with him?
However, this was the first time he had been close enough to examine the man. Clad in cast-offs from other people, he was a picture of poverty, a greasy cap stuck firmly onto his dirt-matted hair.
Hugging the ginger tom like a security blanket, the pitiful creature poured forth his drunken woes to the Hidden Paw, unwittingly placing his own worthless head into the proverbial noose.
Macavity listened with rapt delight. A child prodigy, blessed with a wild ingenuity beyond his years, he had been the leader of a small gang of troublemakers during his school years, finding nothing to hold his attention at school. At University, he had experimented with everything, from drugs to black magic, but had still come top in all of his classes despite the constant threat of expulsion from the University.
Once a successful businessman, he had lost everything because no one would back him and his wild ideas. Turning to drink, he had boozed away a small fortune and had ended up sleeping rough in the streets at the tender age of thirty, with no hope in the world.
Despite the fact the man was as soaked as a wineskin, Macavity knew the hopeless sot was telling the truth. He had once been in the position Macavity was in now, if only legitimately, instead of in the underworld of the feline side.
Illegitimately, the man could have been one of the greatest criminal minds to ever exist, Macavity quickly realised.
Perfect.
*
I can't help wondering about that ginger cat I saw. I didn't tell Demi. I didn't want to upset her again. She still has the nightmares about that bastard and I wouldn't want to make it worse for her. I mean, I don't even know if it was him.
It was almost a week ago now…before the wedding. I still can't quite believe it. My wife is asleep beside me, her head pillowed on my chest. My wife. After I thought I was never going to be able to hold her again, we're together again and nothing can possibly separate us.
Except work. Work, work, work. Can you believe we didn't even get a week off for a honeymoon or anything? Instead, what a thrill we had. Please detect a tiny note of sarcasm as I say we saw Starlight Express and I LOVED it! No, really! I did! Even if I can skate better than half the cast and fall over a lot less than they did…
Demi's half-awake now. She always manages this. I pretend to be asleep, but she always knows I'm not and knows what I'm thinking. He sister must think we're crazy, bursting into Starlight Express songs at four in the morning.
Okay, I admit it, maybe I can't skate, but me and her…we'd be a great pair. We'd be one of those train-coach teams that would be welded together so we couldn't separate ever. No Rustys and Pearls here.
"Come on and whistle at me." She murmurs, tickling me infuriatingly. "Whistle at me, Munk."
"I don't whistle," I fight the fits of laughter that her tickles always induce. "I purr! I don't whistle!"
"And I don't sleep!" came the indignant yell from down the hall. Rina again. She's a great kid and I don't mind one bit that I live and work with her. Still, it's nice to argue once in a while…
"You know what they say about steam trains!" I yell back, managing to pin Demi down and stop her demented tickling.
"They always run out of steam before they finish their run?" Now, that was uncalled for. NOW, its war!
Snatching my pillow, I push Demi off the bed and run down the hall, brandishing my deadly weapon to great effect. Needless to say, Demi joined in a few minutes later. The mother of all pillow fights at four in the morning! How's that for normal?
I love this life!
*
"I can't dissuade you, sir?" Nervously holding the silenced automatic level with his eye, Phipps looked awkwardly down at the tomcat in front of him.
"I found the body I need." Macavity growled, glancing at the corpses of his other best agents – Genghis, Hendrix, Missy, Bast, Checkmate and Blade – and his lover – Roxie. "They've all gone ahead, so if I don't what would it say about me?"
Sighing reluctantly, Phipps nodded, placing the muzzle of the gun against the ginger-furred forehead. "Get to the body as soon as you can, sir, then get back here as soon as you're able."
"Yes, yes." Macavity waved a paw impatiently. "Well, will you get on with it Phipps? And make it as painless as possible…"
With a reluctant nod, the tall human pulled on the trigger, driving a bullet straight into the mystery cat's brain.
*
It was like falling for a long time, into a never-ending vortex, but as soon as the spinning stopped, I knew what was to be done. That creature was waiting in the alley and it was dawn. I had to get there.
I can't explain, but I was floating. Like I was carried on the back of the wind…or perhaps the back of my hatred, because – within moments – I was within site of Demeter's place of work.
And there he was, huddle in the alley as always, a bottle clutched in his grubby hand. He was mine now.
*
Blinking in the early light of the morning, Ronan McCafferty muttered under his whisky-scented breath, his head throbbing with what promised to be the best hangover he had ever had. What a way to spend a day.
Using the wall to pull himself upright, he watched the familiar figure of the young vet, Demi climbing out her husband's car, circling the vehicle to kiss him lingeringly on the lips before going into the surgery.
"Lucky git." Ronan muttered, scratching his stubble-coated chin wearily. He shivered as a chill brushed over him, despite the sun shining down.
"What the…?" He raised his bleary eyes in time to see a swirling black shadow descending to envelope him.
*
Menke had just dropped me off at work when I heard the most horrifying scream from outside the surgery.
Running to the front door, I spotted a figure thrashing in the alley across the road and raced over, knowing that if I didn't help, no one else would be around to do it.
What I saw, I'll never forget. It was Ronan, my good friend Ronan. Shudder after shudder ran through his body, his eyes rolling back in his head, his fists and feet hitting out at some unseen enemy.
Hoarse, ragged screams erupted from his mouth, his lips clearly forming he shape of the word. "No."
Then, as suddenly as it had started, the seizure – or whatever it was – ceased.
Dropping to my knees beside his deathly-still body, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise as a chillingly familiar voice whispered a single word in my ear.
"Demeter."
Shaking my head, the dizzying feeling passed and I hesitantly touched Ronan's waxen face, uncertain what to do.
His hand snapped up, catching my wrist in a vice-like grip. Jumping about a foot in the air, I apprehensively watched his puffy eyes flickering open, as he inhaled a long slow breath, sitting up unsteadily.
"Ronan? McCafferty?" I felt I had to make sure it really was him. Something felt… wrong. Different. Dangerous.
A slight smile crept onto his lips. An almost Jack-Nicholson-esque smile. Chilling. And his eyes. There was something different there too…or maybe I was just imagining things again.
"I'm all right." He murmured huskily, pressing one hand to his forehead with a groan. "But I swear I'll never drink again."
I almost laughed with relief. I'd never seen him suffering the wrath of alcohol, which explained a lot of what had just happened. It also suggested that's why he seemed so…well…different today.
"C'mon." I held out a hand, helping him shakily to his feet. "Let's get you cleaned up and find something to help with that head of yours."
*
Blinking the water out of his eyes, he glanced down at his naked body with an approving smile. He had found this body quickly, but he couldn't have chosen better if he'd spent a lifetime searching.
Tossing his head back, he let the hot water stream down his face, running his fingers through his tangled, filthy mane.
All he had to do now, he mused, lathering up the soap and liberally soaping all over his surprisingly-muscular body, was to get himself to the top of the ladder again. To manipulate everything to raise himself above the level of street-scum, which he knew – with his abilities and wild imagination, combined with this Ronan's – wouldn't be too hard at all.
Stretching his arms above his head, he lazily rinsed himself down, flicked off the shower and stepped out onto the spongy mat on the floor. Loosely wrapping a towel around his waist, he chuckled. Such instinctive little quirks surprised him.
He flexed his hand, smearing the condensation that obscured the glassy surface of the mirror and squinted at the blurred image.
"Not too bad." He murmured, scrutinising his new features clinically and carefully. "A bit of a mess at the moment, but plenty of potential…" Nodding, a cool smile on his lips, he repeated. "Plenty of potential."
Glancing around, he spotted the pile of clothes Demeter had borrowed from one of her co-workers for him and he smiled again. He would get her, like he got her before, but this time, she wouldn't be able to resist. This time, he would win.
Towelling his rather impressive human body down, he slipped into the slightly large trousers and casually walked out of the small changing rooms, pulling the loose shirt on over his head.
"Feeling better?" Demi called from the store cupboard, halfway down the hall.
"Much, thanks." Rounding the door, he leaned against the frame to see her with her back to him, bent over a small unit, her neat little derriere wagging back and forth in the air. Looking down, Macavity noticed a slightly open drawer. Inside lay an array of scalpels, needles and other dangerous-looking tools. He raised his eyes back to the delightful view in front of him.
Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled at him and a shiver ran through his body. She was so exceptionally beautiful for a human. Almost made him forget his purpose. The blades were within easy reach. All he had to do was grab one and…
She swivelled, bending to put a pack of swabs on a lower shelf in front of him. He felt like his heart was about to burst through his rib cage, as he took in this new sight. Not particularly low, her blouse revealed more female human flesh than he had ever seen…and how intriguing it looked too. But the knives were still waiting. He stretched out one trembling hand…
"Fancy a coffee?" She rose to face him, dusting her hands down on her skin-tight jeans.
"If you're making one." What the hell…? Macavity cursed his stupidity. He just HAD to choose the body of the fool that was in love with her. A body that wouldn't want to hurt her. Damn!
It looked like he would have to make the body more his own before he could even think of revenge. But he was patient. Following Demi through he building, he smiled chillingly to himself. He could wait.
He would have his revenge. Of that, there was no doubt.