YAY! New chapter! I'm on a roll here! R&R, pretty please! I've only got two constant reviewers! PLEASE REVIEW!
Gracietta lay in a dark corner of the room. Zazor had run off, and left her there at least an hour ago. Now, she was cold and hungry, and her whole body ached from Zazor's abuse. Where in the world was her mother? She wanted her mother to come, and clean her wounds, and sing to her!
As she lay aching, she saw moonlight creeping through the tiny window, and lighting up a patch on the floor. As she watched, it crept closer and closer, until it finally reached her face. She turned her eyes to the bit of moon that she could see, and began to sing.
"Sunlight through the trees in summer,
Endless masquerading…
Like a flower
When the dawn is breaking…
The memory is fading!"
Graci collapsed in the moonlight, her body broken, her soul poisoned. Her eyes closed as she gave into the pain and heartache that she felt. Her desperate cries echoed throughout the night.
A long way away, Bombalurina lay against Macavity's chest, Malaro curled up in her arms. They were resting underneath a large car, hiding from Zazor's recently acquired followers. Malaro wasn't asleep, however. He couldn't get his mind off of the well being of his little sister. He missed her to no end. What could Zazor possibly want with such a sweet kitten?
As he pondered this, he heard a sound not too far away. "…Momma…" He whispered, gently prodding his mother's arm, "I hear something…"
His parents both jumped to their feet, wide-awake. Macavity stepped in front of Bomba and his son, determined to protect them. Someone was coming. They heard footsteps coming closer and closer…Then a furry head peeked under the car. Munkustrap!
Munkus stared at Macavity…And then, he pounced, scratching every bit of him that he could reach. "Don't…worry! I've…I've got him!" He yelled at Bomba, who was almost scared to death.
Macavity was roaring with pain as Munkus clawed at his eyes. "RAWWRRR!!!" He grabbed the grey tabby's wrist, and flipped him over his shoulder.
He landed on all fours some ten feet away, and immediately scrambled to his feet. Bomba saw what was about to happen, and sidestepped in front of Macavity. Munkus stopped dead in his tracks. "…Bomba? What are you doing?!"
Bombalurina's stomach was twisting and she felt as tough she was going to be sick. "Don't…Don't hurt him!" She said, in a high squeaky voice that as not her own.
Macavity put his paw on Bomba's shoulder, and stepped back in front of her, surprisingly steady for the injuries he had sustained. "Dear brother!" He said, sarcasm dripping from every word. "I have missed you! How is little miss Demeter doing?"
Munkus bared his teeth. "Much better, now that she's away from you!"
Macavity sneered. "Glad to hear it. Deme was a fun one to have around. She would scream bloody murder if I got near her!" He gave a laugh that normally would have sent shivers down Bombalurina's spine, but now only caused a slight twinge of regret.
Munkustrap's fur bristled and he growled at Macavity. "I would shut up if I were you, or I'll-"
"Or what?" Cackled Macavity. "You'll talk me to death?"
Munkus ignored his brother, and looked past him, at Bomba and Malaro. "Are you alright? I…" He trailed, his eyes darting between the two. "Where's Graci?" Before Bomba could answer, Munkus turned instinctively to Macavity, "Where is she?! What did you do to her?!"
Macavity's face twisted with rage at the sound of being blamed for Graci's disappearance. "Nothing!" He growled, his teeth gritted, "But you can ask our dear brother!"
"Tug-"
"No." Macavity cut Munkustrap off, "The other one. Remember, Munkus? He didn't go through Naming because our father didn't approve of him. He named himself Zazor."
Munkus's eyes widened, "Zazor…"
Macavity nodded, "As far as I know, Graci is currently being tortured by Zazor."
Upon hearing this, Bomba broke out in fresh tears. Macavity didn't seem to notice. "He took her away before I had a chance to stop him."
Munkus growled, "Mac, you are the WORST liar ever!"
And amused look appeared on Macavity's face. "Oh, yes! Naturally, since I'm the Napoleon of Crime, everything I say is a lie!"
"Our brother was banished as a kitten!" Cried Munkus, "There's no way he could have survived all this time!"
Macavity kept his voice calm, but it was obviously a struggle, "Ah, but that is where you're wrong! Tell me, my dear brother, if I had kidnapped Graci, would I be here talking to you instead of torturing her?"
For a moment, Munkus seemed to believe him. Then he cried, "You can tell that to the rest of the Junkyard! You're not going to get away this time!"
The Hidden Paw raised his eyebrows. "Ah, I see. You've brought a few of your friends along." Macavity turned to the empty streets, "Oh Alonzo! Skimbleshanks! Mistoffelees! Come on out! I know you're there!"
There was a moment of silence, and then a black and white splotched Tom, an orange tabby, and a tuxedo cat came out from behind a stack of crates. Macavity let out a mirthless laugh, "You're a coward, Munkustrap! You're too afraid to face a threat alone! Too afraid that if you do, you'll die, and I'll go after your lovely Demeter again!"
Munkus's nostrils flared, and his eyes narrowed. He nodded at the three cats behind him, and they leapt at Macavity. The ginger evaded Skimbleshanks and Misto, but a swipe from Alonzo caught him on the shoulder blade. Snarling, Macavity tried to return the swipe, but a recovered Skimbleshanks caught his arm and held it tight with his claws. Bomba gave a cry, and tried to run to Macavity but Munkus restrained her. "It's okay, Bomba. We'll get you back home, and everything will be fine."
"Let go of me!" Bomba screamed, but Munkus's grip remained firm.
Misto leapt onto Macavity's back, and bit him on the shoulder. Macavity roared, and threw him off, but that slight distraction allowed Skimbleshanks to grab Macavity's other arm. Despite his great strength, Macavity was unable to throw them off. "Take him back to the Junkyard." Growled Munkus, "Put him somewhere where he can't escape."
Macavity laughed crazily as the Toms dragged him away, "You'll regret the day you didn't believe me!"
Malaro still sat wide-eyed under the car. Bombalurina was in shock. How could this be happening? Graci was kidnapped and Macavity was being blamed for the crime. Zazor had caused this! It was all his fault! Bomba hated him with all her heart, soul, and mind.
"Bomba? Malaro? Come on." Munkus said gently, "Let's get you home."
Bomba felt a tear run down her furry cheek as she picked up Malaro and allowed herself to be led away by Munkus. She was so confused by the reality of it all. It wasn't supposed to happen this way! It was like falling up…It seemed impossible, but it happened all the same…