Chapter 7

After that song they presumed that Phantalmina wouldn't wake up any time soon. Having all this kind of pressure and commotion, she probably stays asleep most of the night. Justin carried her to her bed and covered her. Munkustrap helped Demeter to get on the bed as she then rested herself next to Phantalmina watching over her. Ashley landed close to her other side of them.

Meanwhile the four of them stayed with her, Brutus and others helped to place newcomers and their other friends back to the place where they could rest, and this time no one stayed wandering alone.

"What happens now?" Demeter asked.

"I'm not sure, but I am not trusting that bat." Munkustrap said as he looked at the direction they saw him go.

"Ignorance was his lucky move for this time, none of them knew the rules and that we would try to catch him. But it won't happen again. He knows that now." Justin cleared.

"You think he would try something again?"

"No. At least not anytime soon. But I agree with Munkustrap, he is taking this way too well. We still should keep our guard up."

"I agree." Munkustrap finished. "I'll go on that corner to rest. If something happens I'll be ready."

"Understood." Justin nodded to him as the tom walked to the opposite corner of the stage and tried to get comfortable on one of the seats.

Justin had another worried look at Phantalmina, as Demeter and Ashley moved closer to her.

"Don't worry. We'll be here for a while with her. How about you go tell others in the hallway what just happened. They probably are worried too."

"You're right." he nodded for that and stood up from the bed. "Just let me know if there is a need for my help later on."

"We will." Demeter gladly assured him as he walked away to the stand and then outside.

Justin left a small smile for them and then left to inform the felines about the nasty events of the evening. Meanwhile Ashley and Demeter stayed looking at Phantalmina with concern.

"I still can't believe this. Why is she doing this?" Ashley sight sadly.

"I wish I knew." Demeter replied. "I have never thought of what she will do if… I mean when someone breaks her rules."

"I thought she might throw out anyone who does that."

"Me too. She always sticks with her rules. But then again, she never wants to leave anyone to their death."

Ashley didn't reply to that one. It was true, she was kind enough to not drive anyone desperate out into the cruel world. But tolerating that… beast isn't wise either. Thinking of that she would have to go every night to catch and kill something to satisfy his hunger, will tire herself up and could make her sick. She won't last the whole winter.

"Ashley." She turned to look at Demeter again as she spoke to her. "How about you go get a little rest and then eat as well?"

"No, I'm alright." she answered but couldn't stop yawning.

"It's okay. Go on. I'll watch her for an hour or two and then you can come back. Just a little nap."

"Okay then. But if she wakes up you let me know, right?"

"Of course." Demeter smiled at her as Ashley took a flight to the ceiling.

Ashley flew back to the ceiling structures to roost with others. She stayed on the other one since Dusk and others were still calming the newcomers and getting them organised to a safe place. But then...

"Well, well. Coming to keep an eye on me, aren't you Señorita?"

Ashley cursed inside her thoughts. Why did she have to land on that part of the ceiling where he was on too. She glared angrily at him seeing that he was approaching her with that smug smile on his face.

"Haven't you had enough?" Ashley "She got you out of that place and now you are threatening our lives for that. As if she hadn't suffered enough from last night."

"Oh I'm sorry. Was she your owner or something?" he acted as if he cared.

Those words hurt her. She turned her face away from him, not wanting to show his words had that big effect. Although he already noticed he had hit somewhere delicate.

"Ah. So there is something more with that child. Interesting."

"That's none of your business!" she threatened him. "What ever you are planning on doing to us it won't work. As for now there will be at least one of my big friends keeping a watch over you. Making sure you will keep your part of the deal. And if they aren't there to watch you, I will have my eye on you."

"Oh. I will keep that in mind." he chuckled and soon took off to roost deep in the dark corner.

Ashley simply watched him angrily for a while and then she flew to others and rested there till she will be called down again.

After Justin had informed the cats he returned to the stage. He wanted to make sure Phantalmina was alright. And since he was in his large form it would be wise to stay close be if something else might happen again. And who knows, little Phantalmina might need a good hug when she wakes up. This and the last night have been very hard on her. And now with that meat eating bat threatening their lives she will need more friends to her side for this winter.

"How is she?" he asked Demeter once he got to the bed.

"Still asleep." she answered to him. "Do you think she might stay like this the whole day?"

"Let's hope not." Justin said and brushed a little hair off Phantalmina's face. "And Ashley?"

Demeter pointed to the roof, Justin could guess the rest.

"I see."

"Are we seriously letting that bat stay here?" she asked him.

"Only for the winter. Once it gets any warmer, we can send him away without any quilt."

"But in the meanwhile…?"

Justin sighed and looked around the areas where the newcomers were placed to rest and recoup for the rest of the night.

"Let's just make sure there won't be anyone else to fall for his schemes."

"So, you don't trust him either?" Demeter asked to make sure.

"Of course I don't trust him." Justin cleared. "Mina just saved his life from the horrible death and now he treats her like his personal servant. If it weren't for the bands I would have thrown him out hours ago."

"I know. I know." she clammed him. "Just to make sure, if he makes her cry again I'll gladly do it too, without any hesitation."

Justin nodded for that. After that the night went on with an unsure feeling with everyone's heart.