Back paws, front paw. Back Paws, front paw. WinterLite thought. She pulled her right forepaw tighter against her torso and limped on. All four paw pads were bleeding but that leg had been bitten by that mean Pollicle and now it ached enough when she wasn’t walking on it. Winter now longed for the cold season she was named after. The snow would comfort her blistering paws and numb some of the pain, plus she wouldn’t have to walk on the sharp gravel. Winter sighed and trudged on, knowing that even in England it couldn’t snow in August. Her steps gradually came to a stop and she flopped over, as Winter put all knowing of the world back herself.
Meanwhile, in the Jellicle junkyard, everything was going as normal. Rum Tum Tugger was being admired by the Queens, Mistofflees was practicing his magic, Demeter was digging through the debris pile and so on. But Bomburina was bored, very very bored. So the red-ish Cat decided to take a walk outside the Junkyard. (yes she was THAT bored) Bom bounded over fences, boxes, and trash cans.
When she jumped down from a dumpster, Bom landed on something soft and rolled off with an “oof”. She sprang up in a defense position, her fur on its end. Bom calmed down as she realized she had tripped on another cat! The cat Bom fell apon, grimaced in pain but made no noise. It tried to get to its feet but collapsed in pain. The cat, now Bom it was now a she, blinked her large purple-blue eyes at Bom, as if saying ‘‘ please end it all, please ’’. Bom wrapped her arms around the female feline. The gray cat struggled little and gave up her futile tries. And Bom began the ascent home.
WinterLite stretched out. She had the most wonderful dream. A feline queen had taken her a place beside a fire. Winter usually didn’t like fires but now she wouldn’t mind one after this dream. Lite’s eyes fluttered open and she gave a gasp of delight. It wasn’t a dream after all! Winter sat on a bed of rags and beaten pillows. The bed was so cozy.
“Good thing you’re awake now, dearie. I was worried that salve Skimble gave me didn’t work.” The red female from Winter’s dream was standing beside the bed. “And sit down, you’re still weak.” Bom gently pushed the young girl back down. “but since you’re awake, we’ll be introduced. My name is Bomburina. And your name is..?
The kitten opened her mouth and made a strange airy sound but nothing came out. The kitten’s brow furrowed and she tried again. She looked up at Bom with frightened eyes but she still made no noise.
“Kitten, can’t you talk?” Bom inquired.
The young cat girl tried to say something again and reluctantly shook her head no. Her eyes stared a Bom full of distressed and the reddish queen realized that the purple eyes could show more expression than the rest of her face.
“Then how about I….” she paused “how about I rename you?” A sweet little nod informed her yes. “how about Prumplespites?” A face that looked like I ate dog food was made. “Speedy? “same reaction. “Whitingtion’s next best friend?” A confused look. “Heaven’s Alumnus?” Apparently the silver cat didn’t like any of these names.
Then she thought long and hard. “How about Winger?” Both felines liked the name and ‘Winger” threw her arms around the Queens as a thanking gesture.
Bomburina saw that even in those strong arms there was a tiny kitten, smaller than even Electra had ever been for some deep reason.
Bomburina, also ,now realized she hadn’t any family other than Demeter who was now a permanent mate for Munkustrap and had her new batch of kittens. And Bom jealous of Dem and would have loved to have a family. At that time, a generous thought struck her mind that she would be able to thank the Everlasting Cat for. “Dearie, would you… err.. like to become my.. um adopted… uh, child?”
‘Winger’ burst into silent tears for she had never had a nice family ever as this lady had been in the last few minutes. Of course she’d accept! And there, began the new life. Precisely I should say there really was the cause and beginning of many new lives.
Chapter 2
Bom had made a wonderful mother. She had a nice cozy box in the junkyard to live in. She kept her new child well fed and made sure Winger was healthy.
But the child, herself, was amazing! This didn’t show at first from her lack of speech but one night Bom and her visiting sister Demeter, had caught Winger reading a thick novel most humans couldn’t read or understand. Her mother was so proud. Bom’s child now seemed like Heavyside Layer’s gift to her.
But, not only had this young Queen become smart and throw it out as a surprise, she was also able to out run anyone or anything. Winger could run faster than any other Cat in the tribe, thanks to her long and thing body. Wing had beaten even Alonzo and Pouncival in races.
Though our main character’s talents were wondrous, the Jellicles were some what hesitant to accept her. Such as, when Etcetra and Victoria was invited to meet this new addition to the family, they stayed away from Winger with huge eyes and it wasn’t until Jellyorum scolded them that the 2 came near her. They naturally did liked this Cat immediately with her playful personality and tirelessness. All 3 girls giggled ( Winger kinda smiled/giggled but close enough) all after-noon. Sadly, some did not even care to be near the newcomer. Electra caught a scent of a movement in Wing’s air because ‘Lectra took a distaste for Winger.
Before long, the Jellicle Ball came. Winger was extremely nervous yet completely excited about her first Ball. She loved dancing and wanted to meet some more Cats. Maybe even some Toms. *teeheeheehehe!* Sure she was dumb (that means a mute, speechless, or voiceless not stupid.) but all Winger would do would be to mouth all the words. Mr. Mistoffelees was to be there, surely. And best of all! This was the year Winger would be allowed into the adult group.
Anywho, on the night before the grand Jellicle Ball, Bomburina strode into the area where Winger was supposedly living. “Are you sill reading? If you read too much, miss scholar, you’ll head hurt too much to go to the Ball.” Bom nagged.
Winger shook her head as if saying, no can’t be true, I’ve read for hours before and that’s never happened. But Wing put her book, Myst: Book of Dn’I away, back in her pile of books and rolled over in her bed.
Winger sat there thinking of her past life.
Those awful nights. Mother and father fought a lot and forgot they had 4 kittens to take care of so often. Wing’s mother would frequently come into their childs’ room and cuddle against Winger. She’d say, “my little Wintry, someday you’ll become a great Cat and you’ll father will be proud of you.” Winter knew that her father often came home after drinking some beer left behind the liquor store. The he’d yell and scream at his children and at her mother. Father especially hated her, for being an angel, for behaving, never stealing or fighting, and for being so kind and gentle. Father wanted a Tom like Macvity. He got that same Tom too. Minutes after she was born, Macvity was born in her litter…
Chapter- 3
Macvity was always favored by his father. He was into trouble and worse than his own parent. He always tried to deceive humans that he wasn’t at the scene of the crime. And his father liked that.
Winter remembered that one night when all her world was broken.
The family was at home, except for father and Macvity. The 3 other kittens were at their mothers feet as she taught them there lessons for their studies. A storm whistled and raged outside, but they curled up together by the hearth and paid close attention.
Then, all of a sudden, the door burst open and a gang of Toms stepped in. Winter’s mother screamed curses at them until a ginger tabby strode in beside his father. “Hello mother. I see you have your little favorites. Can’t wait to see them dead… like you.” With that Macvity reached out and slashed across his own mother’s face and neck. She tried to fight but one more blow finished her silently.
Now Macvity turned on his siblings. “Oh, now who’s gonna protect you guys?” A wicked grin shone and he grasped Peaches (his littlest sister) by the neck and snapped the life out of her. The gang laughed. Macvity got a smile of approval from his living parent.
Then he advanced on Winter. She was a good head taller than him and swifter, but she was, to put it mildly, a lover not a fighter. He circled her. “ah, my eldest sibling of the litter. I make you an offer. Winter scoffed at this.
Macvity gave her a good smack. “Shut up! You can work with me or die end up like your precious mother.”
Winter shook her head. “Wasn’t she your mother too? Did you hate your family for no reason?” She was answered by 2 Toms pinning her against the wall. “get of you little-“ she finished with some pretty bad words I dare not repeat.
Winter wiggled and threw herself until she was able to become free of their grasps. She dashed out the door and out into her name’s night. WinterLite heard the Toms chasing her but they would never catch her in this weather and her own endurance.
She ran for who knew how long and how far. She then learned to survive out in the city as she wondered from place to place. Never sleep in the same place twice; eat if you see food; and make sure no one is following. Her rules kept her alive for a year, more or less until she stumbled across a new yard.
“Good. New place that looks like I can stay.” she thought. Barking unexpectedly filled her ears as a huge Pollicle leaped at her. Winter was quick but now she was tired and hungry and surprised. Those Pollicle teeth bit her paw and she raced off. Her paw became slightly infected and pain filled every step of every moment.
When Bombalurina found her, Winter was frightened that this new Cat would hurt her. But the Everlasting cat must’ve been smiling down on her because Bom had helped cure, named, bring her into the tribe, AND become her new mother. Bom did think she was a Kitten despite her length, since Winter was rather young looking… not that she really cared or minded. But Winger wanted to thank her and couldn’t since her voice hadn’t been used in many months.
Winger now was now back to date. She rolled over and tried to go to sleep. She had want she wanted from life and didn’t want her horrid memories ruin the Ball. Once asleep, the silver Cat Queen’s dreams were occupied with better memories of Mother’s face and gentle, wise words.
CHAPTER 4
^the next Night……^
Winger was amazed that his still place was supposed to be filed with Jellicles dancing, talking and such. Bom ushered her quickly under the Old Ford’s bumper and said “You’ll know what to do and when to come out.” With that Bom hid in her place.
Wing sat there for a few minutes and became fidgety until some one ran out. A car’s headlights swept across the Junkyard. Then, a black and gray striped tabby slinked out from some where. He stood on his hind legs and began the ball. “Are you blind when you’re born?” The first Cat (Demeter) that came out sang back, “Can you see in the dark?” and so on through the next 2 verses. Most of the words from last year’s Ball were used but the new Kittens and Cats added their own dialogue.
At the line “Can ride on a broom stick to places for distim?” sung Tantomilne, Winger knew this was her cue and she sprung out in perfect timing with a stunning beautiful tiger striped and leopard spotted Cat. As that Queen sang “Familiar with candle-” Winger danced. All the Cats, some Winger never heard of, came out together and put on their presentation.
Wing was amazed that all these Cats could dance so in time and wonderfully. She was amazed that she could dance this way herself.
And all to soon, the song ended and everyone slinked off . Wing didn’t want to so she just danced a little solo. Mistofflees ran out and touched her. It gave her chills for a strange way but she liked immediately . He was magical, cute (both kittenish way and adult way), and nice. Unfortunately, Winger knew that he was….ah.. um.. really small compared to her height, and much younger than her, but he didn’t know that. The Ball passed on with new and old songs. It was a blast.
Atleast, until he came. “Macvity!” screamed Demeter. Wing tried to hide and the he appeared. Macvity was just as, if not more, fearful as he did that one night. Images of Winter’s dying mother and the 2 kittens. The ginger cat appeared and laughed at the fleeing Jellicles. “mwhahahaha! you are pitiful, trying to hide from me, aren’t you?” he snickered. Macvity picked up some one near by. “Sassafras! No! Put her down you fiend in feline shape!” Demeter wailed at him. Wing felt now that her old self was back. Sassafras wiggled within Macvity’s grasp, screaming, kicking, biting, the whole bit.
“put her down. NOW!” a voice sounded. It was quiet but sharp and clear enough for everyone to hear. Everyone looked for the source. “Macvity, my little brother, PUT HER DOWN! NOW!” Someone leaped down from the car roof and into Macvity’s side. The next few minutes were flashes and blurs of red, silver, and black fur. Eventually, Macvity staggered back from the fight and disappeared. But his last words echoed and stayed, “WinterLite- you’ll pay, you little bitch of a sister!”
The Jellicles turned their heads to Sassafras’s savor. Winger stood there, bleeding severely. Her shiny coat was now matted and darkened with blood and her face…. it would never be the same. Winger, err excuse me, her real name now known was WinterLite. Winter’s face was halfway torn off and patches of her own skin laid on the ground. Winter took one look around and fainted.
She came to in her old bed of rags and a huge pile of books, food, and even a small flute, beside her. Bombalurina strode in with a worried look on her face. “oh! you’re awake.” Bom sounded distant and withdrawal. “I didn’t think that you were older than a year but apparently I was wrong. I thought that you’re were mute too but I was- was wrong. Wing, I mean Winter, you- you” she didn’t finished. Bom was crying and ran from the room.
“Great,” winter thought. “Mom’s crying, I’m hurt, the rest of the Jellicles ain’t so happy…. good Heavyside Layer, it’s been a really bad day.” Winter shook her head and began to look through the pile of stuff at her beside. The flute she could use along with the books and some food, she wondered what’s with the colourful ribbon. It didn’t matter, so she just played with it.
After a few days, Winter could get out of bed and wonder about. And within a week, she stepped outside. Her first footfall outside, made everyone in the junkyard look up and then many turned away. Panic flew through her senses. It then occurred to Winter that her face must’ve been scarred. One look in a broken mirror and she gasped in horror. The area around one eye was puffed out and horrifyingly disfigured. It looked worse infected than her paw had once been. Winter ran.
She ran from that mirror, the Cats, just anything to anywhere else. It was once again that night, and she became the chaser and the one being chased. “No! I gotta hide, gotta go-“ she stumbled into a hole. She didn’t screamed, she dare not or could not as she fell deeper and deeper.
“Ooff!” She landed in a puddle on her feet. (‘when you fall on your head, do you land on your feet?’) She did a shimmy, and quickly trotted down a dark tunnel to who knew where
chapter 5
1 year later
WinterLite smiled down at Mistoffelees. She knew what he was thinking and she oh so wished for it to come true. Winter and Misto. WinterLite sighed and waved her hand to stop the mirror. Winter looked around the cavern. It was once dark and gloomy but now the maze of mirrors made it glow with dark moonlight from the above.
The above. Winter missed her once shiny life on the above ground in the sunlight. But now she knew that light could hurt, it’d show the truth and sometimes was better not shown. For in the darkness it was easy to pretend and she liked pretending. Also, in the above ground people knew her and shunned her for something that wasn’t her fault even.
Winter shock her head and thought, “no, think of the dreams.” Another reason she loved darkness. Dreams could happen and you could do whatever you wanted. She had only traveled to the Above ground a couple times and that was on moonless nights so no one could see her.
Here below the surface, she had discovered her magic powers. Probably her strongest power was in blending in. Winter’s coat was a mirror and reflected everything around her so she looked like the background. Her other power, maybe not as strong but close, also had to do with mirrors. Winter’s cavern was full of mirrors that formed a maze so that any stranger would get lost instantly. But besides that, her mirrors could see the Above and anywhere else. Mirrors, she’d learn, could use and bend truth. his is how she was involved with Mistoffelees’s life.
Winter sighed and wondered if she could every go up to the surface. “hey! wait a second! That’s the answer!” she exclaimed.
Her involvement with Misto’s dreams. She had controlled his dreams, every night, he thought he had danced with a silvery-tinted Queen, who was smaller than him. Misto remembered everything as he woke up, but he could never see the Queen’s face or most her body. The lady cat wore a white mask that covered her eye and down one cheek. But Misto knew that the dream girl was wonderfully musically talented. Dream-cat-girl played flutes, pianos, you name it, but best of all her voice was like an angel. So Misto would call her as Angel of Music or Angel for short.
Winter began forming a plan in her head and smiled contently as she realized a dream was to come true.
Misto yawned and stretched. He dreamed again of Angel, again. Nothing new but she was like the closest friend he’d ever had. Angel knew everything about him but he knew nothing about her, except that she loved him. And that was A-OK with Misto. (tee hee) This time, he dreamed of them waltzing in a some deserted yet romantical forest. There they danced and sang in purrfect harmony to songs like “Think of me Fondly” and “Tonight” (from West Side Story.) Misto didn’t care about never seeing her face, since he knew that beauty was only skin deep and he’d also learned that from Grizabella. Mistoffelees closed his eyes and the dream came back to him crystal clear…..
2 dark almost black figures stood with their arms wrapped around each other. A thin female voice rang out shyly, “Tonight, tonight. There’s only you tonight. With suns and moons all over the place…”
Misto stopped her and said no one was watching and that she should sing her little heart out. Angel answered that she’d pull her heart out for him and Misto answered he’d do the same. Angel took a deep breath and started more surely, pulled her dark cloak around her and this time to a new song.
“In sleep you’ve sang with me. In dreams I’ve came. Your voice holds to me and speaks my name. And do you dream again for now you’ve found, The Phantom of the Opera-”
“Hey! Angel o’ Music, you are no phantom of any opera. You’re a Phantomess of the Jellicles!”
Angel smiled and deep organ music seemed to accompany her. “The Phantom of the Jellicles is there… inside your mind.”
Misto: “Sing once again with me. Our strange duet. Your power over me grows stronger yet. And though I’ve turned from you to glance behind… The Phantomess of the Jellicles is there inside my mind.” The couple danced and sang through the rest of the song. Then, Misto just woke up. (Darn it!)
Once back to reality, the black and white magician climbed out permanent file his hideout and sat on top of the old Ford’s roof. “Hey Mr. Misto!” yelled Etcetera. He greeted in return and laughed to himself as Etcetera dashed off to find her new mate, Tumblebrutus. Misto sighed and rolled over. He longed for a mate. Victoria may have been his once but now Vicky belonged to Plato.
The magic cat yawned and all of a sudden felt sleepy. ‘Well,’ he thought, ‘a quick cat-nap isn’t going to hurt and I’m gonna be up all night for the Ball.’ Mistoffelees tucked his white paws underneath himself and closed his eyes.
Misto jerked awake at the touch of some one’s paw. He looked up and saw (you guessed it!) his Angel. She smiled at him and said he’d learn some thing tonight. He followed the cloaked feline out of the junkyard, through the city and out into a small field. Once there Angel lead him to a small shiny object that laid on the ground.
“Look at your face in mirror and I’m there inside.” With that she seemed to phase out like smoke. Mistofflees did as he was told. In the mirror he saw Queen smiling at him in some alien surroundings. “Oh Angel, I wish I really knew you.” he whispered at the image. Then only a white-blue light filled his vision.
Chapter 6
Angel pulled a confused Misto to his feet. “Huh? where am I? Angel, what happened? Where are we?”
“We’re at my home. My only safe refuge from the world above.” She motioned to the stone walls that were covered in mirrors. “My love, you are not dreaming. This is as real as me. And yes I am real… more or less the way you think I am.” Angel grabbed Misto’s paw before he could comment and lead him into the mirrors. “Don’t go through her without me. This is my maze and you’d never find your way out.”
“Wanna bet?” He mumbled.
“No, but I thought it’d be funny to se your reaction.” Angel ran ceaselessly through the labyrinth and Misto barely a step behind her. Finally she stopped at a dark cavern, while Misto didn’t halt in time and plowed into the Phantomess. Both laughed as they got back up.
“Misto please I know you may not like it down here-”
“I Like it down here. It’s really interesting.” The Tom eyed a pile of tools, instruments, and papers. But what amazed him was a huge pile of books. He remembered one Cat who loved to read and she disappeared not long ago, but he couldn’t think of her name.
“Will you sing with me?” Angel interrupted his thoughts. “yes of course.” The two stood paw in paw and danced.
Suddenly, Misto began to wonder what was under her mask, why she wore it, and why she didn’t take I off. Misto placed his paw behind her head and drew her close. Then whipped off her guise. Angel screamed and tried to hide her face but to late.
“Wha-what happened to you?” The black and white Tom asked. Angel choked back tears long enough to answer. “I- I was hurt.” “Well that’s obvious. How where you hurt?”
And Angel began. “My name’s not Angel. It’s WinterLite. You may have heard-”
“Heard?!?” Misto screamed. “You are Macvity’s sister! Of course I’d hear about you! I danced with you before and we all thought you were deaf then you disappeared and everyone assumed you were dead.” Winter nodded. “Yes. My life story in a nutshell.”
Misto was flabbergasted. His wonderful Angel of Music. His one love and she was Macvity’s sister! He shock his head. “Why didn’t you say before?”
“I.. I.. I wanted you to love me and-“
“How can I love some one who isn’t who she says she is?”
Winter blinked her big purple eyes full of tears and ran back into her maze of mirrors. “No wait! An- I mean Winter! I’m sorry!” he called back but there was nothing but silence. “Winty? please come out.” He began singing, almost subconsciously. “Jellicle Cats come out tonight. Jellicle Cats come one come all…”
“The Jellicle Moon is shinning bright! Jellicles come to the Jellicle Bal.” finished Winter. “Misto, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lie to you. It’s just that I’ve been like this for a year and I loved you the first time we danced at the Jellicle Ball.” Winter padded over to Misto and rubbed cheeks with the smaller Tom.
“WinterLite, make the music of the night,” he purred. Winter smiled and began to sing. “You were once my one companion. You were all that mattered..” The 2 put on a performance better than any other Jellicle has before.
“Winter?”
“what?”
“Will you…. will you come with me to the Ball? this year, something is going to happen.”
“Really? But, no. My face-”
Misto ran his white hand over her face and traced the scars, murmuring. “You’ll go now. Look in the mirror.”
Winter peered into the looking glass and gasped. Her swollen and nasty looking scars where not so outrageous as before. “Misto.. I can’t believe..” She threw her arms around him and kissed the surprised Tom passionately.
After he broke from the kiss, Mistoffelees wondered out loud, “How are we going to get out of here?” “You worry too much.” “But-” Winter simply waved her paw over a mirror and a picture of the Junkyard appeared with all the Cats assembling together for the Ball. “Look at your face in the mirror and you’ll be there.” Misto did as Winter instructed him to and in a flash of white light, we was in the Junkyard.
Winter stared at the mirror for a moment before placing a clear collar over her neck. “Purrfect. Ready and rearing to go.” She crossed through the mirror and tumble head over heels enthusiastically.
Misto took a moment to collect his thoughts. Winter somersaulted into the Yard with a smile on her pretty face. Other Cats whispered about this new strange Cat, but assumed she was to become a Jellicle that night. Misto rubbed checks with his girl and pulled her off to dance with the Jellicles.
Winter danced her heart out with the Cats, but she avoided Bombalurina. Soon, Tantomile and Corpitat announced, “I believe it is Old Deuteronomy. “ Winter knew now or never. She trotted over to the yard’s entranced before others could get there and met the Jellicle Leader.
The Old gray Cat stared at a gold and black Cat heading towards him. The Queen spoke, “Old Deuteronomy, sir, you may not remember me but I’m WinterLite, AKA Winger. I’m may not appear to be who I am.” The lady tore off her collar and a silvery cat woman dressed in black and a scarred face was shown. “I couldn’t lie to you. But none of the other Cats would accept me before. I didn’t want to leave them but I knew, since I’m.. Macvity’s litter mate.. they’d hate me.”
Old Duet chuckled and rubbed Winter’s head. “My dear, I know. You did nothing and tonight will be your night. Hurry back, Misto clearly hasn’t known your disguise.” Winter looked shocked. “How’d you know that Mist and I-”
“Winter, I know almost everything about my followers. Of course I would about Misto and you together. Now go!” He pushed the collar back onto Winter’s slender neck and shoved her to the dancing.
Chapter 7
Winter danced and talked and played with every Cat and Kitten at the dancing-party. At the choosing of the mates, Misto and her were the stars and they picked each other. No Macvity showed up and nothing unexpected happened. The end of all this fun came all too son and just before dawn, Old Deuteronomy, stood on the old tire and announced he’d soon pick the Jellicle Choice.
“But wait! We have a guest.” Misto sprang up at these words and attacked his new mate. Winter screamed and threw him off. “WinterLite, show yourself.” He used his magic to undo the clear collar and Winter was exposed. “Oh my goodness! It’s her!” Jellyorum exclaimed. Other Jellicles cried out in surprise and Winter trembled with fear.
“Get her!! Macvity’s big sister, she’s just like him!” Alonzo screamed. Many Cats agreed and stalked the frightened feline.
“No, stop. I’m nothing like-”
“Stuff it, traitor. You’re still young and you must have tricked Misto into thinking she was a Jellicle.” snapped Tugger.
“But-but I never did anything.” Winter cried out. The Cats laughed and advanced. Winter ran. Another flashback of the night of her lost past. No, they couldn’t catch her, they wouldn’t. She glanced back to see Electra, Etcetera, and Victoria coming after her. ‘Where are the others?’ she thought.
Demeter and Tugger popped out nearly getting their paws on her. ‘oh great! They have their better runners further away so they’ll wear me out!’ Winter dodged Tumblebrutus and Pouncival before doing a 180 degree turn. She ran toward the cats this time and leaped over their heads at the last second.
Finally after an eternity of racing, Winter stopped at the Junkyard. “No, they betrayed me, now I’ll never come back.” she vowed and looked into a broken mirror. “Look at my face in the mirror and home’s inside.” Munkustrap arrived only to see the Queen disappear in a flash of white light. But he’d heard more….
Misto looked at Winter from the maze entrance as the silver lady came into view. “Hold still, Alonzo.” Winter whirled toward the sound and panicked. Off through a dark tunnel. ‘Never find me. Please they can’t.’
“Good going, Misto!” Alonzo hissed and chased after her. Alonzo stumbled down the tunnel and could barely keep up with WinterLite. Further and further but both Cats were equally matched. Both were great runners and could endure a lot, both could see in the dark, and neither knew the tunnel well. Winter never bothered o explore down here and Alonzo never had been there.
‘Daylight! ahead!’ Winter through and ran to a small opening into the Above, which she barely managed to squeeze through. Now she dashed across the field, Alonzo on her heels. “You traitor! Twin of the fiend in Feline shape! how dare you call yourself a cat!?” he chase went on for miles and back into the city.
Misto sat on the bridge and looked down at the river as she tossed little stones in the water. “She hates me now. I didn’t want to hurt her, just let everyone know who my mate was,” he whispered to Etcetera. He had explained how good of a soul Winter was and that she was all Macvity wasn’t and better.
Etcetera listened and understood. “I know, no one can learn.” ‘Cety sighed and rubber Mr. Mistoffelees’s shoulder.
“No! please, I didn’t do anything, let me be!” some one cried out. Winter dashed onto the bridge and stopped to look at Misto and ’Cety. “Misto, dearie, why?” she panted and barely was able to get onto the railing beside her new companion. ‘ Cety felt this was a good time to leave an padded back to the Yard.
“I- I’m sorry. I thought you-you would never take your guise off and- and-and remain unknown to everyone.” The black and white Tom kissed and her and said. “You compose the music off the night..” he partly sang.
Winter stayed frozen and stared back into her lover’s eyes. Her pulse was above the roof and she muscles ached and hurt with every beta of her heart. Her chest rose in little gasps. “M-m-Misto, I love you.”
“Touching, surely. Tugger couldn’t closer to a female.” Macvity grabbed WinterLite her the scruff of her neck and pushed a knife at her throat. The pursuing Cats just arrived and halted in their tracks, watching.
“Oh the Magical Mister Mistoffelees, the original conjuring Cat, now how about that! Either desert you’re tribe, join me and feel how my sister did or watch your lover die.” Macvity cackled.
Misto sat thinking, my tribe or my love…. He sat deep in thought.
“My patience grows thin. Chose or you’ll go too.” Macvity pushed the knife against Winter gleaming throat drawing blood.
Winter began to sing, “Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known?”
“Shad’dap!” he jerked her head, the knife sinking deeper.
The magical cat man watched Winter who eyes read, freedom is better. “Macvity, I’ll leave me tribe.” The Jellicles gasped in surprise. Macvity laughed and pushed Winter roughly away.
The bloodied Queen felt her pulse and heart beat even faster, her head pounded and gore dribbled down her neck. Misto was able to lead her down the bridge and stroked her face. “Shh. It’s over. I’d be miserable with you dead anyway.” he cooed.
“M… Misto.. I’ll always .. love you.” Winter gasped.
“See!” Alonzo screamed. “She’s the reason Misto can’t be part of the Jellicles. She should have died!” The crowd of Cats began slowly ascending toward the couple.
“Misto, forget all of this. Go now, to your world.” Winter said. “Never forget the music of the night.” Winter bounded onto the bridge railing, she was more proud than before. Graceful and wounded, she looked at the Jellicles, she smiled and said, “Good bye, I love you all. “Then, her heart burst. Winter’s violet eyes rolled back and she flowingly dived into the water. Never seen again.
“NO!!! My Angel!” Misto screamed and gaped in horror at the currant. She was gone.. gone.. gone forever.. never to be seen again. No more moonlight dances, no more warm nights in dreams. All swept away.
Alonzo gawked at the river as well. “What have I done?” The Cats didn’t move and the Jellicles thought about how cruelly they had treated this Queen. She’d saved Sassafras, didn’t harm any of them, and freed Mistoffelees.
Tumblebrutus and Plato found her body down shore. They laid her back on the ground, beside the tire and Old Deuteronomy spoke. “Jellicles, WinterLite was one of a kind and we shall never forget her. Winter, AKA Winger saved some and touched us all. We treated this girl badly but she never slashed back out.” Females and male, both, cried.
“No, I shall never forget her. I’m sorry I did what I did but, I’m sorry,” Macvity posed on the Old Ford. No one cared.
Demeter said between sobs, “She saved my kitten. She never caused trouble and-”
“I loved her. Oh well, there never was there ever a Cat so wonderful as Mirroring WinterLite” That of course was from Mistoffelees. Other Cats added comments. Old Deuteronomy said that tomorrow would be the real funeral.
Misto sat on the drain pipe with his arms around his knees. He sang and spoke to himself,
“WinterLite,
come out tonight
I’ll never stop missing you.
We’ll never dance or sing
Our songs will never ring.
WinterLite come out tonight.”
Misto collapsed in tears. But then he remembered, one Cat a year is sent to the Heavyside Layer to be reborn again. No one was sent, so that meant…….. “WINTER’S COMING BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!
the end
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