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Demeter said nothing. She was still trying to get her heartbeat to slow down, as well as her breathing, as it slowly dawned on her that the one who surprised her was Pouncival and not who she dreaded it to be. It still took her a few minutes to calm down enough before she could climb down from her perch.
Just then Bombalurina and Munkustrap approached the two felines. "What’s going on here?" Munkustrap asked taking notice of Demeter’s distress.
"Nothing," Pouncival quickly replied. "I just pounced on Demeter and -- "
"You what?!?" demanded Bombalurina, immediately rushing to her sisters side.
"Pouncival," Munkustrap looked at the kitten sternly. "I know you enjoy pouncing the other cats around the junkyard, but you will never, I repeat, never pounce Demeter again! Understand?"
Shrinking back in shame, Pouncival whimpered his understanding and his apology to Demeter.
"You’re forgiven, Pounce." Demeter told him. "And you," she said as she turned her dark green eyes on Munkustrap, "you don’t have to be so hard on him. He doesn’t know what I went through."
"So, what did happen to you to make you so jumpy?" The voice belonged to Etcetera who had walked in with Tumblebrutus a minute earlier.
"Yea, all we know is that something happened with Macavity," said Tumblebrutus. At the name of Macavity, Demeter gave an involuntary shudder.
Munkustrap looked at her. "You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to." Bombalurina and Munkustrap knew about what had happened to Demeter.
"Actually," interrupted Demeter’s sister, "I think it might do you some good to talk about it. At least," Bombalurina looked pointedly and Pouncival, "it’ll give some kittens around here some understanding as to why one should be careful who one pounces."
"You’re right, Bomb," Demeter acceded. "Perhaps talking about it will help." She was silent for a moment as her sister put a comforting arm around Demeter’s shoulders for support.
"It started at the Jellicle Ball that took place right before you three were born...." And with those words, Demeter delved into the memories that have haunted her since the whole event started.
"Bomb!!" Demeter’s whine broke into her thoughts. "Can’t you walk any faster?" It was times like this when Bombalurina can’t fathom why her sister was considered mature enough to become an adult cat.
Slightly irritated, Bombalurina decided to let Demeter run ahead without her. "If you’re so excited to get there, why don’t you run on ahead? I’ll meet you there." And with that, Demeter was off. The sleek, red cat continued her steady pace until someone jumped right in front of her. Trying to keep her cool, she found Rum Tum Tugger blocking her path.
"Walking all alone? Where’s that bundle of energy you call your sister?"
"She was too excited to stay with me. I let her go on ahead," Bombalurina said coolly. She had always liked Rum Tum Tugger because he was a little on the wild side, just like she was. They often flirted with each other, but neither of them was ready to make any sort of a commitment. Sidling up to him she said, "why don’t you walk with me?" She gave a little purr.
"You know, I just might do that," Rum Tum Tugger said with a grin. They continued to talk and flirt with each other until they got to the Jellicle Junkyard. As soon as they arrived, Munkustrap came over to greet them.
"Glad to see you Bomb. Hello Rum Tum." The gray and black tabby gave the large brown cat a nod. Then, looking past the two asked, "Where’s Demeter?"
"What do you mean?" Bomb asked, briefly glancing around the junkyard. "I sent her on ahead of me. She should have been here by now."
"No. I haven’t seen her yet. And I’ve been keeping an eye out for her. I wanted to talk to her about tonight’s ball."
Concerned, the red feline enlisted the help of Rum Tum Tugger, and Munkustrap in searching for her missing sister. After looking for over an hour, they came together with no luck in finding her. Bombalurina began to look sick with worry.
Surprising himself, Rum Tum Tugger put a comforting arm around Bombalurina. He’d never seen her this unglued and frazzled before. And he became concerned himself when she leaned into him, accepting his silent offer of support. She was usually the independent type not wanting to accept help from anyone, and trying to do things on her own. But, her younger sister is now missing. The one she practically raised by herself. The Tugger felt sure she was blaming herself for letting Demeter run off by herself.
"We’ll find her," was all he said.
As she pranced down the alley, she heard a loud crash. Curious, she stopped to investigate. Slowly walking towards a doorway, she heard a laugh behind her. Not a happy giggle type of laugh, but a deep, guttural one that sent chills down her spine and her fur standing on end. She quickly turned around to find no one. There was nobody there.
"Looking for me?" came a low voice from behind her. She spun around to find a ginger cat standing in the doorway which was empty just a second ago. This cat was tall, thin, and unkempt. He had a toothy grin on his face, but his eyes were full of mischief.
"How could I be looking for you if I don’t even know you?" she said hesitantly.
"Well, let me introduce myself then. My name is Macavity." And with that, he gave a long, exaggerated bow. As soon as Demeter heard the name, she knew she was in trouble. She had heard many stories of a mysterious cat named Macavity none of them good. Backing up slowly, Demeter said, "Well, it was nice to meet you, sir, but I have to go, my sister will be worried about me." And with that, she turned and ran as fast as she could towards the end of the alley. She bounded around the corner only to come to a quick halt. The alley was a dead end. Heart racing and no where to go, Demeter backed up against the wooden fence that blocked her escape, as Macavity slowly stalked around the corner.
"Leaving so soon?" he said with a glint in his eyes. "But I wanted to invite you to dinner."
"I-I already h-have plans," Demeter said, trying not to show her fear. "I’m going to the Jellicle Ball. I’m expected any minute now. So, if you’ll excuse~ "
"Then you’ll just have to break them!" Macavity said in a cold voice that made all the blood drain from Demeter’s face. In that moment she knew she’d never make the ball, indeed, she was unsure if she’d make any of the Jellicle Ball’s again. Macavity came closer and extended his claws. "Do you accept my invitation?"
Demeter saw there was no hope in fighting him. She quickly decided that if she were to avoid being hurt, she would have to be as cooperative as she can. "It seems I have no choice. I have neither the strength nor the ability to fight you." A slow, wicked smile began to cross Macavity’s furry face.
"You’re quite smart...for a kitten," he said. "But, since I can’t let you know where my lair is..." Macavity lifted his large paw and swiped it hard across Demeter’s face. That was the last thing she remembered until she woke up on the stone floor.