Chapter 8: Freedom At Last

"Tugger, relax! You can't rush these things! He'll wake up when he's ready to."

"But Jenny-!"

"No buts! Now shoo. Its a beautiful day today. Go outside and sunbathe, you look pale."

"C'mon Jenny-"

"No! Now get out!"

Macavity slowly came out of the darkness and back to consciousness. His body felt heavy and he registered pain. He stirred slightly when he heard familiar voices, and opened his eyes but quickly closed them when he was blinded by the light.

Tugger and Jenny... he thought. He slowly opened again and let them adjust to the light. He groaned and saw Tugger walk out of the infirmary door. Jenny turned around when she heard the groan and gasped in surprise when she saw him.

"Macavity dear! Your awake! How do you feel?" Jenny rushed over to his side, looking over his injuries.

"Like I got hit by a truck," Macavity croaked.

"Hmm, How do you know what getting hit by a truck feels like?"

"I don't know Jenny, but I'm pretty sure it feels close to this."

"It's good to have you back dear." Jenny laughed as she finished re-bandaging him.

"It's good to be back Jenny."

Jenny and Macavity turned their heads towards the door when they heard it open. Cori walked in and stopped when he saw Macavity.

"M-Macavity! You're awake! I thought you would-"

"Cori dear, shush. He just woke up. He doesn't need to hear your fusing."

"I need to go get Alonzo."

Cori rushed out of the infirmary and ran into Alonzo's den.

"Alonzo! Wake up!" Cori shook Alonzo's sleeping form.

"C'mon Cori, five more minutes..."

"Wake up Alonzo. Its an emergency."

Alonzo slowly opened his eyes and stared up at Cori.

"This better be worth it Cori. I need sleep"

"You can sleep when your dead. Now come on!"

Cori dragged the half-sleeping Alonzo out and back to the infirmary. When they got there, Macavity had fallen to sleep.

"See? If you wouldn't have wasted time, we would have been here before he fell asleep."

"Macavity woke up? Why didn't you tell me? I would have gotten up faster."

" I would have, but you decided to be to lazy to listen to me."

"Children! Stop bickering before you wake him up."

"Sorry Jenny." Both Cori and Alonzo said at the same time, causing them to smile.

No one seemed to notice a figure hiding in the shadows listening to them.

Growltiger growled in frustration. I though I got ride of him for good. I thought I could finally have my place but I guess not. I still have Munkustrap though... He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard something come up behind him.

"I overheard that you have a new prize Growltiger. Is it true?"

"Gridlebone. How nice of you to drop by. To answer your question, yes I have a new prize. Got him from Macavity himself."

"Oh Growltiger, getting brave are we?"

Growltiger snorted. "Coming from the cat who betrayed Macavity behind his back, just to be with me."

"Hey. A cat's got to do what a cat's got to do. Even if it means betraying the one who took me off the streets. He was getting boring anyway."

"And I'm not? I'm surprised."

"You? Boring? Never."

"Good to hear. C'mon, I'll show him to you."

Growltiger and Gridlebone climbed over the junkyard fence and walked down the street to where Munkustrap is.

Munkustrap cursed silently. He could only walk so fast now. Total darkness is all knew. Cori said he would be there when he woke up. But Cori wasn't there. No one was. No one ever will be. Munkustrap made a choice. It was time is risked escaping. It seemed it was the only way out of this living hell he lived in. Once Growltiger had left, Munkustrap picked at the lock on his cell with his claw. Slowly, he opened the door and prayed it didn't squeak. Munkustrap got it all the way open and silently slipped out and closed the door. He ran through the dark halls, trying not to make a sound. Knowing that there are guards up ahead, he crouched low to the ground. The guards were sitting on the floor, in deep sleep. He quietly slipped past them and on to find way out.

Munkustrap froze when he heard other cats talking and quickly pushed himself against the nearest wall. He hid in the shadows. The voices kept getting closer and closer. As they neared, he recognized Growltiger's voice and a high-pitched voice.

Growltiger and the new cat came closer and Munkustrap pushed himself closer to the wall hoping, praying that they wouldn't notice him. Oh Everlasting Cat, he though as he saw Growltiger's form coming. HE watched as Growltiger walked right past him, not noticing. Then the new cat walked by and the cat looked awfully familiar.

"I still never understand why you keep it so dark down here." The new cat said.

"Gridlebone, you know I prefer the dark." growltiger replied as the pair walked past the corner.

Oh no. no no no no. Gridlebone too? I need to get out. FAST.

Munkustrap sprinted down the rest of the hall and saw a dim light up ahead. He followed the light until he saw what he'd been dreaming of. A way out. Finally, I can go home. Munkustrap froze, wide-eyed as he heard Growltiger's yell. He knew. Munkustrap quickly opened the door and squinted his eyes, expecting the sun to blind him. Only to find out it was night time. Perfect, he thought as he ran out the door and towards the place he called home.

I'm finally free. Finally!

Growltiger walked into his liar ,unaware of Munkustrap's escape, with Gridlebone in tow. She wouldn't stop complaining about how dark it was. Growltiger liked it dark. It made his prisoners unaware of time of when he was near them.

When Growltiger got to Munkustrap's cell, he knew something was wrong. He slowly opened the door and to his surprised, it was unlocked. He slowly made his way into the cell to find no one was there.

Growltiger yelled and startled the sleeping guards and Gridlebone.

"FIND HIM" Growltiger said through clenched teeth. He couldn't believe how he got away under his nose. I knew I should never have left him alone. No one got away from Growltiger. No one.

Munkustrap ran as far away from that place. He ran until he couldn't run anymore. Munkustrap ran into a dark alley and sank down to the ground, trying to catch his breath.

I can't believe it. I got away. I actually got away. I'm free.

Munkustrap laughed in disbelief. There's only one more thing left to do before he was actually safe. And that is the hard part- finding his way back home without getting caught by Macavity or Growltiger. He slowly got to his feet, using the wall to steady himself.

Home. Tugger. Cori. Alonzo. Jenny. Demeter. Demeter...I miss her.

Munkustrap looked up into the night sky to see it was a full moon. How glorious it was to finally see the moon and to be outside after so long.

Home. Family. Friends.

Munkustrap slowly made his way down the street, letting his instincts guide him back home.

Tugger paced in front of the front gate that leads out into the street. He couldn't wait for Macavity to wake up again. That could take hours. Munkus didn't have that time. Tugger looked back at the junkyard one more time before slipping out into the night to go and find his brother and best friend.

Tugger looked into the sky and noticed it was a full moon. Munkustrap and Tugger would always lay on the tyre and look up in the sky when it was a full moon.

Soon Munku. Soon. I'll get you back.\

Tugger walked down the street and stopped when he saw something moving slowly towards him on the horizon. Tugger squinted his eyes and he caught a glimpse of silver fur.

Tugger's eyes widened. There's only one cat he knows that has silver fur.

"Munkus" Tugger whispered as he picked up his pace.

"Munkus! Munkustrap!" Tugger yelled as he ran full force when he caught the familiar scent and color of the Tom walking towards him.

Munkustrap was quickly getting tired of walking. He had to stop soon. He was about to stop and sit down on the curb until he heard his name being called out.

Munkustrap froze and looked around, fearing for the worse.

No. They couldn't found me already. No no...not when I'm so close.

Munkustrap pricked his ears up when he heard his name being called again. The voice sounded familiar. He turned in the direction from where it was coming and slowly made his way towards the calming voice. He saw a figured running towards him.

Munkustrap couldn't hold back the cheerful cry of relief that escaped his lips. He was saved. He ran, forgetting about how hurt he was, how tired he was. He only wanted to get to the voice. The voice that guaranteed his safety.

"TUGGER!"

Tugger nearly lost his balance when he heard his name being called from the long lost Tom. It was good to hear his voice. He ran faster and harder to the Tom, waiting to comfort him and bring him back to safety.

Tugger stopped short and let Munkustrap run into his open arms. Tugger wrapped his arms around his brother, rocking the sobbing form in his arms back and forth, cooing him and telling him he's safe now. Everything's alright. Tugger sank down to his knees and hugged his brother closer, not wanting to let him go.

Tugger pulled back from Munkustrap and wiped his tears away. He couldn't help the stray tears as they fell out of his eyes. Finally he's back. He's safe. He's home.

Munkustrap saw Tugger's shape stop and saw his arms stretched out wide. Munkustrap didn't hesitate and ran straight into those arms of comfort. As soon as he reached Tugger, he couldn't hold back the long overdue tears. He sobbed into Tugger as Tugger whispered that everything's alright, that he's safe now. Munkustrap felt Tugger go to his knees and Munkustrap hugged Tugger tighter, not wanting to let go. He felt Tugger pulled back and wipe the tears falling and Munkustrap looked up into Tugger's eyes and say he had tears himself.

All of a sudden reality hit Munkustrap like a freight train. All the running aggravated his injuries and he didn't notice them until now. Munkustrap groaned and leaned further into Tugger for support. The adrenaline rush now long gone. He saw concern and worry in Tugger's eyes. He tried to tell him not to worry and that he's fine, but he felt that all to familiar blackness take over. He tried to fight it, tried to stay awake and follow Tugger's voice. But he finally gave in, knowing he would lose the battle and gave into to blackness that lead him to feel no more pain.

Tugger felt Munkustrap go limp in his arms, his injuries finally taking their toll.

"Munkus, stay with me, please." Tugger pleaded as he saw Munkustrap's hazel eyes slowly closing.

"C'mon Munku. Don't give up, please for me." Tugger could see the battle going on as Munkustrap tried to fight it. But Munkustrap gave in and Tugger saw his eyes slide closed.

Tugger quickly gathered Munkustrap up in his arms as carefully as possible. He ran as fast as he could back to the junkyard, not wanting to hurt Munkustrap anymore than he already has.

When he reacehd the gate of the junkyard, he walked through and was startled to see three cats stared at him in shick and disbelief. He expected Cori to notice his absence, but not Alonzo and Jenny. But glad tat they did, he needed their help.

"Jenny," Tugger panted, "please, help him."

Jenny just stared in shock at Tugger and Munkustrap before she knew what needed to be done. She quickly lead Tugger into the infirmary and told Tugger to put Munkustrap on the bed next to Macavity. She shooed Tugger, Cori, and Alonzo out and told them to wait outside.

The three Toms slowly made their way out, still in shock.

"Tugger... H-how did you get him back? I mean, not even Macavity knew where he was." Cori said, trying to figure out what Tugger did to get Munkus back.

"Yea. I mean we knew Growltiger had him, but I don't understand how you showed up at the gate with him in your arms."

"Well, I was paced around in the junkyard by the front gate. I couldn't wait any longer, so I went out and walked around on the streets trying to clear my head. When I looked up, it was a full moon..."

Tugger told Cori and Alonzo how he found Munkustrap and how he brought him back here. But yet again, they failed to know that a certain cat was watching and listening into their conversation.

So Munkustrap, you ran back home to only place you feel that is safe. Well, I'll have to say, it's a nice try, but no one escapes from me. Ever. When I get my hands on you and Macavity...I'll have lots of fun.

Growltiger watched from a distance as Tugger brought in an unconscious Munkustrap. Jenny started fusing over him and brought Munkustrap into the infirmary. Growltiger still couldn't believe that Munkustrap escaped.

Growltiger was about to leave the junkyard when a familiar scent caught his attention.

Demeter.

Growltiger sighed. He'd have to take her too. Such a difficult task...but if he could get Demeter, then maybe Munkustrap will follow. When Macavit figures out that I have both Demeter and Munkustrap, he'll soon follow.

Yes, a picture perfect plan. Growltiger grinned and slowly made his way from the junkyard. He would have to wait though. He wanted Munkustrap and Macavity back to full health and for Munkustrap and Demeter to get together before he acted. The hardest part of this plan...would be the waiting. But he could wait. He's done it before. It's only a matter of time...

gah! Finally! A chance to update and let my mind flow! Stupid writer's block and I have tournament soccer, and with school getting to the testing part of the year...its been real crazy. I hope I still have followers...i wouldn't blame you if you gave up, heck I would have. But if you stayed with it thank you! I made an extra long chapter and I hope it makes up for my absence! please read and review! :)