by Reeza
Jemima hummed softly to herself as she wandered around the junkyard. She smiled as thoughts of the previous evening traveled through her mind. She had attended her first Jellicle Ball and what an amazing experience it had been! She remembered the dancing, the excitement, and the magic aura that seemed to surround everyone.
“Let your memory lead you...”
She stopped walking as her big brown eyes glazed over with that faraway look she was often known for.
Everything was still fresh in her mind. She thought of her happiness when Grizabella was chosen by Old Deuteronomy to go to the Heavyside Layer. Maybe it was her young mind, or maybe it was her pure heart, but Jemima just couldn’t understand why it took her friends so long to accept Grizabella. Of course she was old, feeble, and rather frightening to look at, but could she really have done something so terrible to make everyone else hate her? Jemima remembered seeing a hint of wisdom and beauty in that forlorn face.
She quickly pushed the thought aside. Besides, why did it matter now anyway? Grizabella had finally been accepted and chosen for the special honor of being reborn.
Jemima realized that now after the Ball had taken place, there were much more important things to think about.
She remembered how much fun she had flirting with Rum Tum Tugger. She loved it when he had winked at her, and then asked her to dance.
But it wasn’t Tugger that she had her eye on. She knew he was too old for her, and too wild to settle for one queen in particular. Plus, he was very ‘experienced’- something she knew little about.
Besides being happy, the Ball had also left her confused- confused about love. This was currently her main concern.
Last night, for the first time in her life, she felt herself thinking about not one, but two toms. And she couldn’t for the life of her decide which one she wanted.
First there was Mungojerrie. She remembered practically melting each time that he came near her. He had spent a lot of time with her at the Ball, when he wasn’t with his sister Rumpleteazer.
It was true that Mungojerrie was older than her, but older might be a good thing. He was always good-natured, and playful.
But what Jemima loved most about Mungojerrie was his smile. When he flashed that gorgeous grin, his eyes crinkled, and his whole face lit up.
However, there also seemed to be another side of Mungojerrie- something dark and secret. There were rumors that he worked for Macavity, but Jemima doubted this. She believed in seeing the good in everyone, and though she knew little about Macavity, she couldn’t imagine why Mungojerrie would be associated with him. Mungojerrie sometimes got into trouble, but he simply too sweet to be a bad seed.
But then there was another tom- Pouncival. Pounce was closer in age to Jemima, and they had been playmates since they were kittens. She had never thought of him in a romantic sense, until she saw the look on his face when Old Deuteronomy had appeared at the Ball. He looked so tranquil and serene. It had never occurred to her that Pouncival even knew how to be serious. He was forever acting up, playing pranks, and trying to show off.
It wasn’t that Jemima wanted someone who never had any fun- but she did want someone who could listen and understand when she needed to talk.
This brought her back to the question of which tom she wanted. Both were equally charming, and it was clear that she had a crush on both.
“Jemima.”
Mungojerrie or Pouncival?
“Jemima?”
Why must toms be so confusing?
“Jemi? Wake up!”
Instantly Jemima snapped out of her reverie. Her big brother Alonzo was standing beside her, grinning jovially.
“What were you thinking about, ‘Dreamer’”? He laughed and picked her up, while ruffling her head fur.
She shoved him playfully and tried to balance herself in his grip while straightening her fur. “You messed it up! I had it fixed just right.”
“Oh yeah? Just right for who?” He set her back down in front of him. She folded her arms across her chest and stared up at him defiantly. There was a huge difference in their heights, but it mattered nothing to Jemima as she feigned a scowl and a pout.
“Right for no one. I just like to look nice.”
“I’m just playing with you, ‘squirt’.” He then decided to change the subject. “So, what did you think of your first Ball?”
Her expression changed and that dream-like look returned to her face. “It was amazing! Why didn’t you tell me it would be so much fun? I’m already looking forward to next year.”
He shrugged. “I wanted you to be surprised like I was at my first Ball. It was a couple of years ago.”
Jemima smiled. “Were Bombalurina and Demeter there?”
Bombalurina and Demeter were Jemima’s older sisters. Alonzo was the oldest, and together, they were a close-knit family of four.
Alonzo’s smile faded. “Bombalurina was there, but Demeter was- was umm-”
“She was what?” Jemima prompted.
“She wasn’t at the Ball. Some things happened and she didn’t want to come. This one was her first year back.”
Jemima was stunned. “Lonz, how could anyone not want to come?”
Alonzo shifted uneasily. “Jemima, I think you should talk to Dem about it later. I’m not really the right one to ask.”
Jemima nodded. “Fine. I’ll go ask her now.” She turned in the direction of Demeter and her mate Munkustrap’s box.
Her brother jumped in front of her. “Wait a second, Jemi. Now is definitely not a good time.”
Jemima was puzzled. “Why?”
He sighed. “You remember how upset Demeter got last night?”
“Yes, I do.” Jemima thought a minute. Her sister had been jumpy ever since she could remember. Demeter would scream every time someone sneaked up behind her. Pouncival was forever getting in trouble for doing that. Most of the time Demeter was happy, but there were those few occasions when she would get so upset, that no one could go near her except for Munkustrap.
Last night, Jemima realized, must have been especially disturbing for Demeter. Macavity showed up and kidnapped Old Deuteronomy. Then he came back a second time and tried to take Demeter. If it wasn’t for Munkustrap and Alonzo beating him up, he probably would have succeeded. Thank Heavyside they defeated him, and got Mistoffelees to bring Old Deuteronomy back!
She remembered seeing her sister with Munkustrap briefly after the Ball. She had looked upset, but Jemima left her alone, thinking it was another one of her mood swings and all would be well the next morning.
Alonzo’s expression was completely serious. “Jemi, I didn’t want to tell you this, but I knew you’d find out sooner or later. I guess it’s best I tell you, rather than risk Demeter getting all worried again.”
“What are you talking about, Lonz?”
He rested his paw on her shoulder. “Sit down, Jemima.” She did so and he sat beside her.
It was a long time before he finally spoke. “Jemima, Demeter was a lot like you when she was your age. She was carefree and innocent.
Then one day, she, along with Bombalurina disappeared. We looked for them everywhere, but they were nowhere to be found.
About a week later, they turned up just outside the junkyard. They were half-starved, beaten, and had several broken limbs.”
He paused to check Jemima’s reaction. She was no longer smiling and was staring at him intently.
“It was a few days or so before we finally found out what happened,” he continued. “Macavity-a former Jellicle had kidnapped them, and raped them both- several times. They finally escaped.
Bombalurina, being the confident queen that she is, was too proud to say anything. She just acted like nothing happened, and she still does.
Demeter on the other hand, wouldn’t even speak for sometime. She was the more injured one of the two and almost died twice. She kept going in and out of conscientiousness and when she finally came to, she wouldn’t let anyone in her box except Bomba and me. She cried a lot, and had nightmares every night. She was the one who finally told us what had happened. I think it affected her a lot more because she was innocent when it happened. I don’t think Bomba was.
She became really close to Munkustrap right after it happened, and they ended up together. I’m really glad for that. She’s a lot happier now. But still, she’s never gotten over it and she lives in mortal fear of Macavity. I think last night awakened something in her she had tried so hard to forget.”
Jemima started to cry, and Alonzo quickly stopped talking and put his arm around her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you.”
She shook her head and spoke through muffled sobs. “No- Alonzo. I’m g-glad you d-did. Is D-Dem ok now?”
“She’s upset, but she’s ok. She’s with Munk over in their box. That’s why I told you to wait until later on to see her. I stopped by briefly but she’s in no mood for company right now.”
He lifted her and sat her on his lap. “I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to be afraid. Now you know why the Jellicles hate him so much. I swear I’ll never let him hurt you, or the others again. That’s a promise, Jemima.” He laughed lightly and added, “And if he even tries, I’ll kick his ass like I did last night. Munk and I sure scared him off. I don’t think he’ll try to come back.”
She stopped crying and beamed up at him. “Thank you, Lonz. I love you.”
He smiled back. “Love you too, ‘squirt’.”
Jemima knew he had meant every word of what he had said. But a part of her still wondered if Alonzo, or any other tom in the Junkyard for that matter, would be able to protect her from the Napolean of Crime.
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