 |
| As according to Cockalorum's predictions, the sky opened up and a sprinkle of raindrops scattered across the building roofs. Rehearsals went on undeterred, and though the absence of both Delevar and Kitequilt were serious blows, Gus prevailed. |
|
| "Why don't you keep closer tabs on that brother of yours?" he exasperated to Cockalorum as they danced across the stage as Growltiger and Griddlebone. |
|
| "I never did before," she answered swiftly. "And you're breaking character." That was the end of it. |
|
| Gus was an entirely different cat when on a stage. Strict, passionate, sometimes an outright bully as he took over directing the other cats whilst perfecting his own role. Some of the grumbling dissenters didn't approve of his overbearing manner, but if one thing was certain: Gus made sure the cats knew what to do and how to do it. The gentle pit-pat of rain could not be enjoyed over the shouting within the theatre. |
|
| "Horrible!" he roared. "Absolutely horrible!" Presently his character was not on stage, so from the dark aisles of the house seats Gus bounded up onto the stage with powerful, radiant energy, venting his frustration at a pair of tenderfeet, nervously lowering their tails. "Haven't you ever been so angry before you wanted to rip someone's throat with your bare claws?" Gus growled. |
|
| "Yeah..." the newbie answered quietly. |
|
| "Well, there you have it. And you," he rounded on the other. "You don't laugh. Let the audience do that. Here, stand like this, and--" |
|
| All faces turned and back fur rose as the cracked door leading to the theatre burst open in a flash of light, a small kitten patterned gray splotches over a white base crashed headlong through in a heaving pant. He fell against the stage, cringing under Gus's wrath. |
|
| "Blast it!" he roared. "Am I to be plagued with this constant stream of interruptions!" Storming forward, he grabbed Cockalorum's younger brother by the scruff of his neck and hauled him up, fangs bared. "Kitequilt! You're late! What are you doing here now?!" |
|
| Kitequilt's voice cut the air of the theatre with his words, bringing a halt to all motion and an icy weight around Gus's heart. "Delevar's dead!" |
|
| In his shock, Asparagus could only stare. |
|
| "Thazar," the tiny kitten sobbed, striving to catch his breath as he fell against Gus's arm for support as the iron grip was released. "Thazar killed him. Last night, by the docks." His wide, innocent face was a pitiful sight. "A crew of seacats saw them. It was horrible!" |
|
| Gus went numb, mind racing. Delevar's family...what would become of them? What would happen to the theatre? To him? So caught was up he in a rising well of sorrow and hatred, he didn't notice Kitequilt slip from his grasp and Cockalorum move in to replace him. She moved Gus's chin so that their faces met. |
|
| "Oh, Gus, I'm so sorry." She fell against his chest, weeping quietly. "I'm so sorry." |
|
| Gus hugged her tight, fighting back the quiver in his voice. "Me too, Collie. It wasn't his time." He stroked her mane gently, feeling her shake with sobs. "Don't worry, I'll find Thazar. I'll kill him. I swear." |
|
| Cockalorum drew back, wiping her eyes. A quick moment and it looked like she'd never cried at all. "No, you can't. You don't know how..." |
|
| "I can fight," he said shakily. |
|
| "Stage fight only." She fell forward and hugged him tightly. "You don't know Thazar. He'd kill you. Please, Delevar was enough. You don't need to die..." |
|
| "I can't leave my friend's death unavenged. What did he ever do to Thazar?" |
|
| Cockalorum couldn't answer. Gus turned, keeping his face hidden to the cats who had remained silent, and waved his paw. "Friends, a tragedy has befallen this dark day. Go home. Word will be sent whether this production will continue or not." |
|
| The cats filed out in a silent procession, leaving behind a dark and somber theatre. Gus let himself fall to his knees, removing his scarf and laying it out on the dirt-laden ground before him. In the distance, thunder rumbled. "Delevar," he mumbled to no one, clenching his eyes shut solemnly. "Rest in peace, friend. Your murderer will be punished." |
|
| Behind him, Cockalorum was stricken. What had she done? |
|
| As far as Gus was concerned, the theatre was closed completely for the time being. After drowning his sorrow in the rest of the gin stored in the dressing room closet, his anger was intensified and he stormed out of the theatre, raging through the streets, roaring Thazar's name and for revenge. Cockalorum let him go, remaining by herself in the dark theatre house as night drew closer. Her mind was too wrapped up in her own actions to be worried about Gus, other than a small prayer to Heaviside that he wouldn't hurt himself. |
|
| Of course she knew what happened. Thazar had asked her for Delevar's location, and like a fool she gave it to him. What had she been thinking? Did it never cross her mind that Thazar hadn't changed? That he was lying? She had betrayed Gus, and it was Delevar who paid for her carelessness. But why Delevar? What reason had Thazar to kill him? |
|
| To spite me. It was too late to stop the flow of guilty thoughts that formed in her mind. He's angry at me for what happened, and this is his way of getting revenge...hurting my mate. |
|
| Like the monster of a cruel fairy tale who could be summoned by thoughts alone, Thazar was behind her with a black paw on her shoulder before she consciously realized it. "Collie..." |
|
| With a cry of shock, Cockalorum leaped to her feet and whirled to face him, breathing rapidly. The grin on his face was of deceiving innocence, and she could see it like a mask. |
|
| "Collie, what's the matter?" |
|
| "You killed him!" she screeched, and flung herself at him blindly. "You killed Delevar! Murderer!" |
|
| But she was no match for the burly tom's immense strength. One well-muscled arm grabbed her middle and flung her to the floor, looming over her with the pleasantry gone from his manner. He was as he'd always been: savage and brutal. "And what should you care?" he snarled. "You know what you're doing is a mistake!" |
|
| Cockalorum went rigid with fear, heart pounding, trying in vain to put on a brave face and keep her voice steady. "Thazar...don't do this. Not again..." |
|
| "And why not?" Claws unsheathed, he placed one underneath her chin, pressing until the beauty had to lift her head to keep it from piercing her flesh, thus exposing her neck. "You know as well as I do--" |
|
| "That this ended years ago." She squirmed, trying to escape from his powerful grip. "Thazar, I don't love you anymore." |
|
| "You and I both know that's a lie," he hissed, his breath curling among her whiskers in a vile malodor. "Passions such as ours never die." Taking the claw from beneath her chin, he ran it the length of her cheek, throat, and ribs. Cockalorum cringed in reaction to the tingle, turning her face away. |
|
| "But I want you again, Collie." And he advanced. Cockalorum snarled and clawed her best at him, but never screamed. Her will was too strong for that. But even as he ravished her, she never bent to him. Never shed a tear. She filled her mind with thoughts of Gus, his face, his voice, and struggled all the while. She didn't know how much time had passed when Thazar finally regained his footing and hauled her up. |
|
| "Now," he grinned, oblivious to her trembling frame, "you're coming back with me--" |
|
| The fire-colored tom whirled, releasing Cockalorum's arm in the process. Gus stood, his large frame dominating the narrow doorway, a frightful appearance as his eyes burned with wrath at the murderer of his best friend, emphasized by gin. "Put up your claws!" Though his arrival had been too late to see Cockalorum's defilement, he strode forward raging, intending nothing but pure cold-blooded revenge. Thazar was only to glad to oblige. |
|
| Amid the frantic screams for them to stop from Cockalorum, Gus and Thazar clashed and fell to the ground, biting, clawing, oblivious to anything. The toms matched each other in bulk and strength, and the tables turned several times before Gus realized his error: Cockalorum had been right. This wasn't stage fighting. It was real. Too real. And that realization hit when Thazar had him bent backwards over the edge of the stage, claws at his throat. |
|
| "You can thank your mate for this," Thazar growled, his snaggle fangs bared horribly. "She's your snitch." |
|
| "You're lying," Gus seethed, hatred building layer upon layer, waiting to burst at this accusation against Cockalorum. |
|
| "Am I?" he laughed scornfully. His sandpaper tongue ran over his crooked yellow fangs, foul breath blasting Gus's face. "Ask her, Pollicle filth. She told me where I could find the black cat alone. She sentenced him to death." He laughed, deep and evil. "Awfully desirable at night, isn't she?" |
|
| Gus drew back and slammed his fist into Thazar's jaw. The mottled tom spun and landed hard on the floor with a loud grunt. Gus leaped, claws raking the tom's thick back fur, fangs gashing for the back of his neck. Thazar's sinewy arms took on a life of their own, and reached back to grab the red scarf tied around Gus's neck. With a surge of power he used the grip to fling Asparagus over his head, ripping the scarf and slammed Gus to the ground in the same movement. Making sure to give the actor one final kick, Thazar groped to his paws, stared hard at the female who had watched the fight with horror in her white face. He laughed, evil, insane, and ran lop-sidedly from the theatre. Cockalorum finally drew breath when he vanished from sight. Her eyes fell to the form on the ground gasping for air, her mate-to-be, and rushed forward to help him climb to his feet. |
|
| "Oh, Gus! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean--!" |
|
| Gus's wounds were forgotten as he whirled to face her, grabbing her shoulders tightly, begging her with his eyes. "It's not true. You didn't tell him about Delevar! It's not true!" |
|
| Cockalorum began to speak, but could find no words in her guilt. Tears sprang in her eyes as her face fell. Gus let his grip fall and stepped back, his own gaze following hers to the floor. "No..." |
|
| "I didn't mean for it to turn out this way," she said, pleading. "But we can still be together, Gus. I didn't know he meant to kill him." Slowly, her hand reached out to touch him. |
|
| Gus grabbed her wrist and held it tightly, glaring at her with disgust and hatred. Cockalorum's eyes were wide with fear, and reflected the moonlight beautifully streaming from outside. The theatre around them was silent and dark as they stared at each other, reliving that short romance they had....all the emotions that were felt. Gus's powerful grip wavered with uncertainty. |
|
| Cockalorum choked back a sob, tears glistening in her eyes. Could she tell him about Thazar violating her? No, she didn't want his pity. She didn't deserve it. "Gus, please," she begged. "Thazar...I...I didn't have any choice...I love you!" |
|
| Gus's arm dropped. Her words stung him like a physical blow, and even as the two cats grabbed each other in a warm embrace, he knew it could never be. The bond of trust had been broken. Gus shut his eyes and held her tight, burying his face into her fur. |
|
| "And I love you," he mumbled. For one long, tender moment there was nothing in the world but the two of them, wrapped in each other's arms. Gus released first. Slowly, without looking at her, he turned away. "Get out of here," he rasped dryly. "I don't ever want to see you again." |
|
| Cockalorum stood a moment, tears streaking her cheeks. Her paw reached out for him again. It halted an inch from his back, trembling, before she withdrew it, turned, and vanished into the darkness. Gus took a deep, ragged breath, and ran blinded by tears in the opposite direction. Never once did he look back. Once he was outside the theatre, he blindly stumbled into an alley and collapsed in sorrow into a puddle left by the rain. The tears flew freely now. And this wasn't a stage act...this was reality. And it hurt. How could this happen, Collie? his mind rang. We were going to be mated tomorrow. |
|
| Cockalorum was even stronger than she imagined as she dragged herself home. The sun was rising, bringing an end to that night and its horrors, but despite her sorrow at the memory she never shed a tear after running away from Asparagus. Inside she felt her heart breaking, her insides collapsing with the weight of guilt and the knowledge she had betrayed the tom she loved. But outside, she merely looked up in surprise as her brother emerged from the building they called home. |
|
| "Collie? What's the matter?" |
|
| "We're going back to the gypsy tribe, Kitequilt." |
|
| Ears perking curiously, the young white and gray tom kitten approached his sister. He nuzzled her comfortingly, noticing the tear stains on her cheek fur and the two scents of toms that mingled in her fur. |
|
| "It's nothing you need to worry about, Kit. We're leaving tomorrow." |
|
| Even in his youth, Kitequilt would not be fooled. "Collie...? Do you mean it? What about Gus?" |
|
| Cockalorum shook her head and brushed by him, hiding her sniff. "It doesn't matter." |
|
| Face conflicting between the joy of returning to the carefree life he had been born into and the worry at his sister's obvious sorrow, Kitequilt was unsure what to say. To make up for it he blurted out what had initially been on his mind: "I left my collar at the theatre," he squeaked, hesitantly as Cockalorum turned back to him. "Can I go get it?" |
|
| "You sure you know the way?" She tweaked his ear, trying to smile. He giggled at her apparent cheeriness, swiping at her slender paw. |
|
| "I know the way. I'm not that much of a kitten." |
|
| "Alright, go. I expect you back soon." |
|
| "I will. You take care of yourself." |
|
| "And you," she called as his youthful form dashed away, "be careful!" He was long out of sight before she finally slipped inside, where she fell asleep promptly in her own warm blanket. |
|
| When Cockalorum woke, still exhausted, only two things immediately set upon her mind: she missed Gus, and Kitequilt wasn't there. The first she felt was beyond her, but the second... She poked her head out the animal door into the alley lining the building. "Kitequilt?" Nothing. Only the oncoming darkness of evening. "Kitequilt?" |
|
| Worry had only begun to take serious hold when she started out for the theatre, praying to Heaviside for Gus not to be there. She couldn't face him. Not after... |
|
| Worry turned to panic when she felt a presence behind her in the shadow of an alley. Stopping, her tail raised in defiance, she didn't have to turn around to see who the vile stench belong to. |
|
| "I had hoped I'd find you again." |
|
| Clenching her fists, Cockalorum gritted her fangs together and slowly turned. Her voice dripped venom. "What do you want?" |
|
| Thazar extended his paw, red as blood and without menace. "Come with me. Asparagus has no more want for you. What could he possibly have that would make you remain with him? You're not mated." |
|
| "Our kittens," Cockalorum answered resolutely, meeting his cruel eyes in absolute hate. |
|
| His face only returned confusion. "What kittens?" |
|
| Defying his very existence, she placed a white hand over her midsection. "These kittens." |
|
| Thazar reeled, ears flattened in anger. "It can't be...how are you sure they're his?" |
|
| "Filth like you couldn't possibly have the heart to create another life," she all but spat in his face. Snarling, Thazar grabbed and jerked her forward, drawing an involuntarily gasp as she found herself so close to his ugly face. |
|
| "You watch what you say, kitty," he glowered. "It's been known to get someone killed." |
|
| Cockalorum struggled, unable to break his iron grip. "You leave me alone. You leave Gus alone. I won't help you again!" |
|
| "Oh, you will," he mocked her. "You will. If you value your brother, you will." |
|
| Cockalorum froze, her voice barely a whisper. "Kitequilt?" |
|
| Thazar grinned, nodding his great ugly head. "This very moment: being held in my lair. The poor kitten took a wrong turn trying to find his way home last night." |
|
| Her face drained of color. Her breath froze. She refused to let it show. "You do nothing but lie. Why should I believe you?" |
|
| Thazar let her go, spreading his grin further. From around his neck he tore off the twine he'd been wearing, dropping it neatly into her hand. It wasn't twine as Cockalorum had thought. It was Kitequilt's collar. This time her fear wasn't hidden as her eyes returned to his. "Believe what you want," he growled. "But you'll do as I say, girl, or your brother dies!" |
|
| Feeling a wave of fear descend over her heart, Cockalorum bowed her head in defeat, trembling as she whispered above her own sobs. "What do you want me to do...?" |
|
| "Gus!" Cockalorum screamed as she burst into the theatre. "Gus! Oh, Gus, please tell me you're here! Gus!" Her frantic eyes swept the stage, her voice bouncing off the high ceiling and empty walls. In the dark moonlight that filtered into the theatre, casting shadows over the half-finished sets and hanging curtains, the place appeared haunted. Her paws on the stage creaked and groaned in noises that were magnified by the silence, her feline eyes gazing fearfully around her. It was easy to understand why she started and cried out as the lights suddenly flashed on, and a dark figure appeared standing in the aisles. |
|
| "What?" Asparagus asked flatly. In one paw was a half-filled bottle of gin, around his neck the red tasseled scarf, around his waist the thick studded belt of Growltiger's costume. Sobbing a sigh of relief and anguish, Cockalorum reached out for him desperately. |
|
| Confused by the flat tone of his voice, Cockalorum took an unsteady step towards him, remembering the confrontation from earlier and what he had said. "Gus...Kitequilt's in trouble. Thazar has him...he's...he's going to kill him!" |
|
| But the actor's face was unmoving, unemotional. "Really?" |
|
| Cockalorum shook her head in frustration at his passiveness, flexing her claws. "Yes! Thazar's going to kill him! You have to help me! Thazar said that if I didn't--" She stopped suddenly, staring in disbelief at the small white form that appeared from behind the tom. "Kitequilt!" |
|
| Gus's face remained impartial and the young tom rushed forward to embrace his sister. "He's been helping me clean up. I didn't think you'd mind." |
|
| Cockalorum squeezed her brother tight, stroking his soft mane in relief, until her eyes shot open in sudden horror. "Then what about....?" |
|
| Like a cue in a show, a roar cut the quiet atmosphere and Gus suddenly collapsed, a red and black form tackling him from behind. Pushing Kitequilt behind her with motherly instinct, Cockalorum's mouth dropped as she saw Thazar's fangs flash for Gus's throat. |
|
| "No!" Cockalorum screamed and without a thought dashed forward, raising her feminine needle claws and bringing them down hard across Thazar's face. The slash wasn't deep, but enough to break the cat's hold on Gus. He reeled, wiping at his eyes, and Gus snatched the opportunity to pounce on his turned back. If Gus couldn't fight before, any spectator now wouldn't have guessed it. Asparagus was a hurricane of rage, dishing out against the murderer of his friend with no thought of fear or saving any energy to walk away should he live. But it seemed neither was Thazar. |
|
| A demon-like roar split the air as Thazar dove low, his fangs closing tight around Gus's leg...perilously close to his ankle. Gus roared in agony as Thazar's teeth sank into his flesh, cutting all they came into contact with. On pure instinct Gus twisted, biting down blindly into a mouthful of rancid fur. His jaw muscles strained, and a spine-tingling crack was heard was Thazar's spine was severed between Gus's fangs. The fiery cat fell limp with lifelessness. |
|
| Gus yeowled a sharp cry of pain as he pushed the bulky form away from him, panting heavily. Pushing himself up, he spat contemptuously on the dead cat and straightened before he collapsed, his slashed leg unable to support any weight as Thazar's fangs had done their damage on his muscles and tendons. Cockalorum rushed forward and fell to his side, grasping his paws as he sat up himself. |
|
| "Oh Gus! Tell me you're alright!" |
|
| "I'm alright," he grumbled, wincing as he bent to see the ragged mess where he'd been bitten. "No thanks to you." |
|
| Rather than being stung by his comment, Cockalorum frowned and cuffed his head roughly. |
|
| "Don't talk to me like that, Asparagus! I fought for you! Do you have any idea what I've suffered?" |
|
| "No," the brown tom ruefully rubbed his head. "We seem to have a problem in that area." He sighed and took her paw, his angry flare diminishing in her beautiful gaze. "Tell me. Why?" |
|
| Cockalorum let her arm fall with her gaze. For a moment she said nothing. "Thazar was a gypsy," she finally admitted with a shrug of sarcasm, glancing at the indicated. "A long time ago. We used to perform together. We," here she hesitated, "I thought I loved him, but I was young. I didn't know what was what...eventually he left, and good riddance, too." |
|
| "That's it," Gus sighed in what might have been relief. "That's why you told him about Delevar?" |
|
| "I didn't think he would hurt him," she snapped, irritated at her own ignorance and naiveté. "I didn't know what he wanted. The second time he came, he said he had Kitequilt in his claws. He said he'd kill him. What could I do?" |
|
| "Collie, why didn't you tell me?" |
|
| "You were so angry," she said. "You hated me as it was. Why would I want to drive you away any more than I had?" |
|
| Gus smiled, warm and genuine. "That was a mistake on my part. Forgive me, Collie." He paused. "Will you ever consider being my mate again?" |
|
| A jubilant smile and Cockalorum threw her arms around him, unable to express her joy otherwise. "Now and forever..." |
|
|
|