Part Three: The Prodigal

Chapter Seventeen

I left the warehouse that day and never looked back. The next few months were a dreary, mindless whirl. I didn't return to my human—I could never go back to the monster who orchestrated the murder of my kits and took away my ability to be a mother. That creature—with whom I had peacefully coexisted for most of my life—had taken every last shred of my soul and crushed it viciously, stomping out any spark of dignity that may have remained.

I roamed the city, always losing myself in the busy, winding streets. For the first time in my life, I was truly independent—I hunted for both food and shelter, recalling the many things that Jellyorum had taught me. For the first time in a very long time, I was thankful for my time spent with the Jellicles. Despite this newfound gratefulness, I did not return to the tribe. How could I? Should I leave a triumphant brazen feline and return a battered, beaten down old hag? No. If I ever returned, it would be victoriously, not crawling and begging for mercy.

Besides, I knew Macavity would be looking for me, and the Jellicle Junkyard would be the most logical place. I did not want to be found. I wanted to disappear entirely, and for a short time, I did.

But then, it seems, Fate intervened.

~*~

I was walking down the street, on the prowl for my next meal. Suddenly, a queen half my size ran straight into me.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" I pushed her off me. She didn't have time to respond—two Pollicle dogs rounded the corner in hot pursuit. Instinctively, I pushed the cat behind me and rose to my full height, the hair on my back standing on end. I hissed at the oncoming dogs and prepared for battle.

They stopped just before they bowled over me. The biggest one looked at me in disdain, "What are you gonna do, pussy cat?"

"Enough damage to send you home crying to your mama," I replied, my voice filled with a low growl. He snorted, "Look, firecracker, we ain't after you. Just give us the little one and we'll be on our merry way."

"What kind of lowlife do you take me for?" I asked. "I wouldn't help out a dirty rotten Pollicle if my life depended on it."

"Well it just might," growled the second dog. I snorted, "Please. You two do not want to mess with me this morning. I missed breakfast and I'm just a little bit testy when I don't eat."

"Well we're trying to get breakfast," replied the first dog. "But you seem to be in the way."

"Don't feed me that crock of lies," I retorted. "Pollicles don't eat cats. They just kill them. Now move along, before I hurt you."

The mutt took a step back and prepared himself to fight, "We ain't leavin, Sister."

"I'm not your sister," I shot back. "But I'm about to beat you like I'm your mother."

"Ooh," the dog laughed. "The little kitty made a funny."

"She's about to make a fuss," I replied coolly, sinking low into my attack stance. The second dog made no attempt to engage in combat; the first struck out at me with his large paws. Thankfully, as a feline, I happen to possess cat-like reflexes. I dodged his swing and rolled under him, scratching and biting at his neck and underbelly—the two most defenseless places. He howled in pain and still tried to swat at me, but I was too quick and small enough to avoid his paws while inflicting pain with my own.

Soon the two Pollicles made a hasty retreat, and I was left on the street with the little queen. I turned back to her, "Bast, cat, you sure know how to ruin someone's morning."

This was the first time I really looked at her. I couldn't believe the black and gold queen standing before me, a timid smile on her lips.

"You always have to come to my rescue, don't you, Bombie?" Demeter said softly, almost hesitantly. I felt a smile flood my face—it had been many months since I had smiled. I laughed in disbelief, "Demeter! What on earth…"

"My humans live two blocks down," she explained.

"You have humans now?" I was incredulous. Jellyorum would have died before depending on a human to care for her; I couldn't imagine why Demeter would want one.

She smiled softly, "Yes, well, it's the safest thing nowadays. They're really cracking down on stray cats. If we have a human and a collar, they leave us alone. We don't have to worry about being taken to the lockdown."

I nodded; suddenly this made more sense. Demeter continued, "Anyways, I was on my way home when the Pollicles saw me and started chasing me."

"Why didn't you just fight them?" I asked. It seemed like the natural thing to do. Demeter shook her head gently, "I'm not much of a fighter anymore, Bombie. Not since I was a kit."

I smiled at the memory of our kittenhood and the scrapes the two of us got into with the boys. I still had so many questions to ask—but Demeter beat me to it, "Bombie, why didn't you come back? You're sentence ended almost two years ago."

"I…got sidetracked," I said, not really wanting to relive my whole traumatic history.

"I waited for you," Demeter said softly, her gaze falling to the ground. "I thought you'd come back and we'd be friends again, like we used to be."

"I'm sorry, Dem," I said, and I truly meant it. "It's just that, well, I felt that I wasn't very wanted in the Jellicle Tribe."

"Of course you were," she replied fiercely, her eyes meeting mine. "Me and Alonzo and Mother and Coricopat—we all missed you. When you didn't come back, we thought something had happened."

"Oh something happened alright," I replied under my breath. Demeter looked at me questioningly. I shook my head with a wry smile, "Look, Dem, it's been a rough two years for me. I won't lie to you. I couldn't go back, not with my life the way it is now. If I ever return to the Jellicles, I want it to be with my head held high—not begging for forgiveness."

"But that's what family is for," Demeter said, her green eyes filled with compassion. "To pick you up when you fall, to forgive you when you fail, to love you no matter what. That's what family is for. That's what the Jellicles are for."

"The Jellicles are not my family," I replied sharply, with more harshness than I intended. I saw the hurt look in Dem's eyes and quickly added, in a softer tone, "Look, I had a family once. And then I lost it. I could never replace it."

Demeter nodded, not really understanding but not wanting to press me for answers. She could sense the pain in my past and she knew not to uncover the wounds. After a short pause, her eyes lit up, "Do your humans live nearby?"

I gave a wry chuckle, "I don't have a human anymore."

"Oh," she said, obviously embarrassed. Suddenly, her face lit up again, "Why don't you come stay with me?"

"What?"

"C'mon, Bombie, it'll be just like old times—you can stay with me and we'll spend every day together."

I considered her offer. I couldn't believe that after all this time, Demeter would still value my friendship or even want to associate with me. I had forgotten how close we had been, how strong our bond once was. Still, I did need some food and a place to stay.

I smiled, "Fine. I will."

Demeter's face broke into a delighted grin, "Great. You're going to love it. Follow me."