A week and a half passed and a lot have tried to go into my head. I kicked away each one and after just kicking them out once, they decided to try and find someone else. My parents were relieved, my friends still treated me the same, and Tara and her siblings opened their eyes.

It was nice to see their eye color. Sirius and Thaliah got blue eyes, Reede got brown eyes, and Tara got green eyes. They all were happy to be able to see and when they played, they were so cute!

One day, Alonzo called me, Persephone, Mericive, and Josiah to come and baby-sit. Teazer was at the vet’s that day and he needed some time off. The four little ones were happy to go with us.

“ You can count on us Alonzo!” Persephone called as Alonzo wished us good luck.

“ I know I can,” Alonzo called back.

“ Hey Reede,” Josiah put the kitten on his shoulders,” Want a ride?”

“ Yeah!” Reede laughed.

“ Careful, you might fall off!” Sirius called. He was second eldest beside Tara.

“ Don’t be a Munkustrap,” Mericive said,” I’ll give you a ride.”

“ Ok,” Sirius jumped on Mericive’s back and the two disappeared.

Thaliah went on Sephie’s back and Tara decided to just walk beside me even though I would have been happy to give her a ride. Persephone, Mericive, and Josiah were soon out of sight and I called,” Yeah! Leave me here! Fine!”

Tara giggled and said,” I’m still here.”

“ Hey Tara,” I said,” Let’s go find Josiah and Reede. We’ll tackle them and then after that, we’ll go bother Sirius and Mericive.”

“ Ok!” Tara said letting me put on her on my shoulders. I never did find Josiah but I did find Mericive and Sirius. They were in a clearing near Demeter’s old nest. No one lived there anymore. Mericive was teaching Sirius how to take down Persephone and Thaliah. The only one doing any taking down was me and my side kick Tara.

“ Got you Charity!” someone announced and I was attacked from behind!

“ Josiah!” I complained,” Tara, get him!”

“ My paws are full,” she told me as she tried to get out from Reede’s grip.

I kicked Josiah off and into the clearing and pounced on him. He rolled out of the way which made me land on my face on the ground. He sat on me and pulled my hands behind my back. That hurt and that made me mad.

I struggled but he held me down. I finally rolled over quick enough that we both ended up on the floor. I saw Tara and Reede in their own game not too far away.

“ Jump on in,” Mericive told Sirius. The little kitten smiled and jumped into his sibling’s pile. “ Look who’s behaving like Munkustrap and Demeter,” Mericive smirked.

Josiah and I exchanged the same look and took him down together. Sephie came and saw us and shook her head. We pulled her into our game too and Thaliah jumped into the other pile.

“ I think I hear a noise here,” I heard an unfamiliar voice called,” Maybe it’s Jellicles.”

“ Hey guys wait, stop,” I jumped out of the pile and ran to the younger ones to protect them.

“ Who’s there?” Josiah called pushing me and Persephone behind him. Mericive stood in front of us also. He may have been annoying but at least he had a heart.

“ Um hello?” the voice called. It sounded like a kitten. Maybe around Jiana and Jennervan’s age said. “ We’re looking for the Jellicle Clan and we were hoping to find Jellicles.”

“ Show yourself,” Josiah demanded. Gee, he really does sound like Munkustrap.

Two cats stepped out and my hunch was off. They were more around Josiah’s age. One was a white and brown tabby and the other one was a brown and black tabby. They were both males. Persephone looked ready to melt.

“ Hello,” Mericive greeted,” Who are you?”

“ My name is Harlow,” the brown and black tabby said,” This is my younger brother Avernis. Avey for short. We just came in from America.” I noticed that Harlow had one brown eye and one blue eye.

“ Hello,” Avey bowed.

“ We were looking for the Jellicles,” Harlow continued,” We were hoping to join the clan.”

“ Ah, you’ve come to the right people,” Mericive said,” I am Mericive, this is my brother Josiah, and our father is Munkustrap, the leader.”

“ Could you take us to Munkustrap?” Harlow asked,” I mean, if it isn’t too much. Cause, you’re babysitting and all.”

“ No problem at all,” Josiah smiled,” Come with us. How old are you?”

“ Six months,” they answered.

“ Great, me and my brother and sister are too,” Josiah nodded,” We’ll take you to Munkustrap.”

“ What about Reede?” Persephone called,” I thought you wanted to take care of him! You’re not just going to leave him when you told him you’d spend the day with him.”

“ It’s ok,” Reede said,” Charity said she’ll take care of me.”

“ And I will,” I smiled scooping him up. Tara walked beside me holding my paw as we followed Josiah, Mericive, and the two will be newcomers. Persephone was walking quietly beside me with Thaliah asleep in her arms. The little kitten had gotten tired really quickly.

“ Hi,” Avey appeared beside me,” I never got you or your friend’s name.”

“ I’m Charity,” I said,” Reede, can I let him hold you? You’re getting heavy little guy.”

“ Ok,” Reede said.

Avey put the kitten on his shoulders and turned to my friend. “ I never got your name,” he said.

“ My name is Persephone,” Sephie answered,” Sephie or Seph for short. Take your pick.”

“ Pretty name,” Avey nodded,” You need help with that kitten?”

“ Nah,” Seph shook her head and hugged onto Thaliah,” I’m just fine but thanks anyway Avey.”

“ Are you two really from America?” I asked.

“ Yeah,” Avey nodded,” We moved in about a week ago.”

“ We have a cat here named Alonzo,” I replied,” He was born in America too. Hey Seph, how old was Alonzo when he came here?”

“ I think three months,” Seph shrugged,” I don’t keep a record of his life. He’s not my uncle.”

“ He’s my dad,” Reede offered. He had gotten to talking like humans.

“ Hey little guy,” Avey called up to the kitten,” Want to race with your sister?”

“ Sure!” Reede laughed. Avey ran off.

“ That’s not fair!” I called putting Tara on my back and ran after them. Seph laughed but didn’t run. She didn’t want to wake up Thaliah. I ran after him and somehow, I passed the guy!

“ Racing the new guy already?” Mericive smirked at me as I came to a stop beside him.

“ He challenged me first!” I complained.

“ Yeah!” Tara added backing me up. I put her down and she ran to Sirius who was still walking beside Mericive. I wondered why little Sirius was so much like Munkustrap. I mean, they weren’t even related in any way.

“ Hey, you’re Charity right?” Harlow asked me.

“ Yeah,” I nodded,” Why?”

“ I was trying to figure out which one was Charity, which one was Persephone, and which one was Tara and Thaliah,” Harlow replied,” The kitten you have is Thaliah?”

“ Nope, Tara!” Tara giggled.

Tara:
“ There’s Munkustrap’s cave!” I exclaimed pointing. Alonzo took me there once when he was visiting Munkustrap. He told me that this cave was known as Deuteronomy’s cave when he was a kitten. I think I like the name Munkustrap’s cave better. It has a nicer ring to it.

“ Hey kitten,” Charity said looking down at me,” Think your father’ll be in there?”

“ He said he was visiting your parents,” I told her,” But they’re all good friends, they should be there. Either that or Alonzo got Skimble to let him ride on the train again.”

“ Munkustrap!” Josiah called into the cave. Avey had caught up to me by then.

“ I’m not here right now!” Munkustrap’s voice joked,” Come in Josiah.”

We all walked into the main room and found Munkustrap there with Misto, Tugger, Alonzo, Mungojerrie, and Skimble, Demeter and two of her friends, Bombalurina and Victoria, were in the corner talking. “ We have two kittens that want to become Jellicles,” Josiah announced taking Reede back. He pushed Harlow and Avey in front of him.

“ He’s only six months and he already acts like you Munkustrap,” Alonzo was laughing.

“ Hello,” Munkustrap greeted the two,” I am Munkustrap, leader of the Jellicles.”

“ Put some more of Deuteronomy in it,” I saw Tugger whisper to Munkustrap.

“ Hello Sir Munkustrap,” Harlow bowed. Avey bowed too.

“ I’m not royalty, please don’t bow,” Munkustrap pleaded,” Um, so you want to become Jellicles?”

“ Yes sir,” Harlow nodded following Munkustrap’s order on not bowing.

“ What are your names and how old are you?”

“ I’m Harlow, this is my brother Avey,” Harlow answered,” We’re both six months.”

“ Can you both dance?” Munkustrap smiled. He knew it would make Alonzo suffer. I giggled when I saw Alonzo straining as hard as he could not to laugh.

“ Not really,” Harlow shook his head,” But we’re willing to learn.”

“ You’re too young to dance anyway so don’t worry about it,” Munkustrap assured them, ” When the time comes, my mate Demeter and her friends will teach all the kittens how to dance.”

“ We all know why Demeter is teaching,” Mericive whispered to me and Persephone who had just arrived,” Because none of the guys can and we all listen to her.”

“ I thought it was because Munkustrap is terrible at teaching,” Persephone whispered back,” Didn’t Alonzo and Tumblebrutis tell us this story?”

“ Oh yeah,” Mericive nodded.

“ You are accepted by me so you both are now Jellicle Cats,” Munkustrap said in that official tone of voice of his.

“ Thank you sir,” the two brothers thanked.

“ Can I laugh now?” Alonzo squeaked still trying very hard to hold back the laugh. Munkustrap nodded and Alonzo burst out laughing. “ Are you going to ask all the new Jellicles if they can dance?” my father demanded.

“ That’s what Deuteronomy did,” Munkustrap shrugged,” I did that to make you suffer.”

“ Thank you ever so,” Alonzo pushed his friend’s head I the hay they were sitting on.

“ What’s going on?” Avey asked us.

“ Long story,” Josiah said pushing us all out,” Bye Munkustrap.”

“ I’m going to talk to my father real quick,” Charity said,” Be with you in a little while ok?” She ran up to her father and asked,” Misto, something’s here and it wants to talk to Munkustrap.”

Misto grabbed her shoulders and asked,” Is it dangerous? Does it want to hurt Munkustrap?” I didn’t know what they were talking about but somehow they forgot I was still there.

“ No,” she shook her head,” It just wants to talk to him really quick.”

“ Ok,” he looked doubtful to he got Alonzo, Skimble, and Mungojerrie to hold Charity down. I was really wondering what was going on.

“ Munkustrap,” Charity said,” One of the spirit ghost things wants to talk to you. Do you want to talk to it?”

“ I guess,” Munkustrap shrugged,” Be careful Charity.”

I watched Charity close her eyes and she relaxed a bit. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open and her voice changed. But it didn’t sound wicked like in the dream. It sounded fatherly and familiar. “ Munkustrap,” Charity said looking at him,” Do you remember me?”

“ Deuteronomy?” Munkustrap asked.

Charity smiled and the other voice said,” Yes. I wanted to tell you that you did and are doing a good job. Your task as leader may be hard but remember, I and the guidance of the EC will always be with you.”

“ Don’t go yet!” Tugger cried. Then he saw the way everyone looked at him and said, “ I am not allowed to miss my own father?”

“ Tugger, you’re doing a good job too,” Charity laughed,” You’re daughters are really wonderful and are the exact feminine version of you. Take care of them.”

“ I will,” Tugger hugged Charity which made Victoria gasp. This was the side of Tugger she’d never thought she’d ever see.

“ Good bye to you all, for now,” Charity smiled and her eyes closed again. She shook her head and looked at Tugger. “ You can let go now,” Charity choked out in her regular voice.

“ Sorry,” Tugger let go of her embarrassed,” Can we keep that secret? It’ll ruin my reputation.”

“ Sure Tugger,” Victoria smiled mock innocently,” I never knew you could be like that.”

“ Oh shut up, Deuteronomy’s my father too, I had to get some of his sensitivity,” Tugger sniffed burying himself in the hay.

I decided to say something.“ What happened?” I asked.

They turned to me and gave a small cry. “ What are you still doing in here?!” my father cried.

“ I wanted to stay with Charity,” I said in a small voice, afraid that they would give me a long lecture,” I like her.”

Charity drew me close and said,” I’ll tell you when you’re older.”

I frowned at asked,” But why?” They laughed which made me even more confused. What was so funny? It’s frustrating not knowing what everyone else does.

“ We should go back to the others now,” Charity said pushing me towards the opening of the cave,” Tell me about what happened later dad ok? Bye!”

“ Sure Charity!” Misto called as we left.

Urrr, what are they hiding?!?!

Charity:
My friends were not there when I got outside. I guessed it took a little too long. What surprised me was that the one who did wait for me was Avey. What was this guy’s deal? After another look around, I noticed Telia coming towards the cave.

“ Um, where did the other’s go?” I asked Avey.

“ Some one named Synille came and they went with her,” Avey shrugged,” Persephone said it would be decent if at least one of us stayed here. I volunteered.”

“ Thanks,” I said holding Tara’s paw.

“ Hey Charity,” Telia called,” Is my mother in there?”

I nodded. Telia came to a stop beside me. “ Did you even say hi to our new person?” I scolded her motioning to Avey.

“ Hello, I’m Telia,” Telia nodded to Avey,” Welcome to the Jellicles.”

“ I’m Avey,” Avey shook her hand,” Nice to meet you too.”

“ His manners are even better than Dredat’s,” Telia giggled, Dredat is her older brother. “ Thanks Charity, I’ll see you later girl.”

“ Yeah, bye Telia,” I said as she went into the cave. I looked up at the sky and said,” I need to get home now. You want to come with me to let Tara go home?”

“ Sure!” Avey said following beside me.

“ I think he likes you,” Tara whispered in my ear.

“ He does not Tara, do not have such thoughts,” I shot back at her in a whisper. She merely giggled and the three of us got into a conversation until we reached Teazer’s house. By then, she was home and was happy to have her last kitten come home already.

Avey insisted on walking me home and I wondered what this guy’s malfunction was. He was cool but he would be even better if he would give me some air. We got to my nest and found my mother there, chatting with Josiah, Persephone, Harlow, and Mericive. They were waiting for me. But when my mother told them she was taking me somewhere, they left and took Avey with them.

“ Where are we going?” I asked.

“ Jemima’s nest,” my mother answered,” We’re going to teach you how to hunt on your own. I mean, we know Misto and Mungojerrie can’t.” We exchanged laughs. I learned how to hunt that night and became an expert too. Misto came with Mungojerrie to pick us up and we retired that night peacefully.

Still Charity:
Several months passed and soon, I reached seven months. By then, Josiah officially became vice protector since now he was eleven months. I had a nest of my own in the forest and was living a very happy life. Persephone moved into Demeter’s old nest. Josiah built his own nest but Mericive decided to live in this abandoned nest he had found up in the trees in the forest not too far from Bombalurina’s old nest. Loriek, unfortunately, ended up a house cat. So did Thaliah and Reede. A few other kittens were adopted too but they always came back. We got a few new additions: Wreneta, Venar, Sasha, Tony, and Divea. The minute Tony, the last cat that year to join our clan, had been officially made a cat, I felt that feeling of completeness. We wouldn’t have any new members for some time.

It was a quiet day, a very peaceful one and Persephone, Tara, Thaliah, Mericive, Josiah, Harlow, Avey, and I were basking in the sun on the roof of Thaliah’s new home. We had a quiet conversation for a little while but after a while, some of us fell asleep.

“ Hey Charity!” a voice called. Lazily, I looked off the roof and saw Telia down below. I waved and she rushed up. “ Hello,” she greeted us all,” Have any room for me?”

“ Yeah,” Thaliah scooted over and Telia settled down beside the now five month old kitten. Like I had predicted, Thaliah and Tara were accepted well in our group. Reede went to Josiah’s and Mericive’s group and Sirius decided to go in the other one even though Sirius’s best friends were Loriek and Mericive who were in Reede’s group.

“ I like this roof,” Telia sighed contently,” All the birds go postal when they see you up here.”

Persephone laughed and said,” How did you find us?”

“ I used my psychic power,” Telia smiled jokingly. Then she turned serious and looked and me and replied,” Charity, someone called me to go get you. I don’t know who he was but he looked nice enough. Meet him in that clearing that Cyra and Misto take you to a lot. He caught me on my way over here.”

“ Who did he say he was?” I asked,” I mean, didn’t he give you a name?”

“ Yeah,” Telia nodded,” Said his name was Kyliron.”

I nodded and said,” Ok, I’ll go. Telia, make sure no one gets my spot will you?”

“ Sure,” Telia nodded.

“ I’ll go with you,” Avey volunteered.

“ He wanted you to go by yourself,” Telia whispered in my ear,” I don’t know why.”

“ It’s ok Avey,” I shook my head,” That’s thoughtful of you, but I’ll be ok. Bye!”

“ Careful Charity,” Tara called after me as I went off to the clearing. I knew about it very well. My parents took me there a lot to play and they were starting to teach me how to dance. I found out I wasn’t bad. I was the daughter of the two best dancers in the tribe.

I walked at a good pace not really caring who this person was. I mean, maybe this was a relative of my mother or something. Or maybe it was the mail-cat with a package or mail for me. I didn’t care. I was thinking more of why on Earth Avey insisted on hovering around me.

I entered the clearing and scanner the area. “ Oh great!” I complained,” No one. Telia must be laughing at me.”

“ Are you Charity the daughter of Misto and Cyra?” a voice asked. It sounded vaguely familiar.

“ Who wants to know?” I demanded,” Come out!”

“ Hello,” a ginger cat stepped out. He looked around Munkustrap, maybe even Skimble’s age. But just by looking at the guy, you could sense something about him. “ I am out now, answer my question,” he said.

“ Yes, I’m Charity,” I nodded respectfully. I mean my parents always taught me to be respectful to my elders. “ Are you the one who sent for me?” I asked.

“ Yes,” the cat nodded,” I am Kyliron.”

“ Why did you call for me?” I asked.

“ I have this little present for you Charity,” Kyliron purred walking closer. I backed away and prepared my magic just in case he wanted to hurt me. “ I won’t hurt you,” he assured me holding his paws up.

“ I don’t know you,” I shook my head,” I need to be cautious.”

“ Understood little Charity,” Kyliron agreed still coming closer. I kept backing away. I suddenly hit the back of a tree. Suddenly he grabbed the hair on top of my head and dragged me by my hair to the middle of the clearing.

“ Let go!” I cried scratching him,” Who are you?!”

“ I’m just a caring uncle who wants to see his niece,” Kyliron hissed grabbing me by around the neck,” Little Charity, does it take you this long to figure it out?”

“ My uncle?” I choked. He wasn’t exactly choking me but it was enough to make me gasp. “ I only have two,” I added.

“ They never did tell you, did they?” Kyliron cackled pulling my hair harder so that my head was back, my throat exposed,” They never did tell you about your third uncle did they Charity?” He sneered and tightened his grip on my throat a bit.

“ Macavity?” I gasped out. My brain was a bit hazy.

“ Good, you are a smart little kitten aren’t you?” Kyliron, now known as Macavity, sneered extending his claws and holding them against my throat,” You know, you were on top of my, ‘ Get Rid Of,’ list from the start Charity.”

“ Why?” I asked,” Because I’m myself?”

“ No,” Macavity smirked,” Because you’re the daughter of Cyra and Misto. I can’t tolerate that.”

“ Tolerate this,” I gasped kicking him where I’m sure no male wants to be kicked. He groaned and loosened his grip. I darted away but not before I called up my magic and put him inside an aquarium to keep him there.

“ Not good enough Charity,” Macavity’s eyes glowed and my aquarium crumbled to ashes. I tried running but he was faster. He put an arm around my neck and dragged my back to the clearing. I tried to use my magic on him but he had put some kind of shield over himself. I tried screaming and fighting back but he was stronger, older, and he put up a physical shield too.

“ Let go!” I managed to choke out and I tried to bite him. He twitched his head and a gag went on my mouth! That dirty, no good, cheater. He had to gag a kitten. Some fighter he was.

“ Oh no little Charity,” Macavity hissed in my ear,” You are coming with me.”

“ Over my dead body,” I tried to say but only muffled sounds came out.

“ Did I mention that if you cause any trouble what so ever I’ll kill you right now?” Macavity added grinning menacingly. I glared at him and if looks could kill, he would have been dead.

“ Let go of her!” a voice roared. I looked and saw my father with his friends and my mother with Demeter Victoria, and Rumpleteazer by her side.

“ I don’t think so, she’s a tad to valuable wouldn’t you say Quaxo?” Macavity cackled extending his claws, holding them against my throat.

“ Please, let her go Macavity!” Cyra cried trying to talk towards us.

“ You take another step Rettania and little Charity is a corpse,” Macavity threatened. My mother stepped back.

“ Sirius, let her go,” Teazer pleaded.

“ That trick won’t work this time Teazer,” Macavity laughed that laugh of his and pulled me even closer to ensure that I wouldn’t go anywhere,” I’ve waited a long time for this. I’m going to enjoy making little Charity bleed. Bye everyone!” Macavity cackled again and the air shimmered in front of me. Soon, I was not in the clearing anymore. The good news was that I was in alive in a cave that looked inhabited.

The bad news is that it was Macavity’s cave

Tara:
“ Oh no!” Telia cried clutching onto Persephone,” This is my fault!”

“ No it isn’t,” Persephone tried to comfort her friend,” This was no one’s fault.”

“ I should have taken better care of her,” Cyra was crying on Misto’s shoulder,” This wouldn’t have happened if I told her about Kyliron!”

I’ll back up. I’m Tara and I was now five months old. I was well accepted in the girl group and so was Thaliah. But I ended up spending most of my days with Charity, Persephone, Telia, Thaliah, and somehow Josiah, Mericive, Loriek, Avey and Harlow ended up with us too. I don’t’ know why. Well, I understand why Loriek hangs a lot with us, we’re his cousins. I think Josiah hangs with us every now and then just to be with Charity. I mean, not like he’s going to be there to stick to his sister’s side is he?

“ Kyliron was Macavity?” Misto demanded.

“ One part of him,” Cyra sniffled,” I didn’t want to tell you. You would have gone too protective of me.”

“ Oh,” Misto shrugged,” I guess I would. Don’t cry now Cyra, we’ll find Charity.”

“ He would have taken her to his cave,” Mungojerrie concluded,” Or wherever he lives.”

“ Get Coricopat and Tantomile,” Munkustrap told Tugger and Alonzo,” Tell them the situation and get them over here. the rest of you should go to your nests and we’ll contact you.”

The two nodded and headed off.

“ Charity is our friend, we can’t just sit around while she’s gone,” Persephone insisted,” I mean, would you just sit around if Macavity kidnapped Demeter or Victoria?”

“ We’ll start searching the area,” Skimble told Munkustrap,” I mean, what if he thinks that it’s too obvious to just go to his cave? He might just kill her in some other part of the forest.”

“ Thank you ever so,” Cyra smiled weakly.

“ I guess your right,” Munkustrap nodded,” Ok, we organize a search party to search around the forest. Macavity got one kitten, he might decide to get the rest. Victoria, keep the kittens safe. Demeter and Cyra, search the east end of our forest territory. Mericive and Harlow you get the other side. Josiah and Mungojerrie, do me a favor and can you look around the border of all of our territory?”

“ Sure,” Mungojerrie nodded.

“ Misto and Avey search the city and Teazer, you’re with me,” Munkustrap finished.

“ What about me?” I asked.

“ Stay here with Telia and Persephone and wait for the twins,” Munkustrap said as he began to walk off,” If they find out where Charity is, I hate to do this but go with Tugger and Alonzo and find her.”

“ Yes Munkustrap,” we chorused.

He left and so did everyone else. We sat down against a tree hoping and praying to the EC that Charity was alright.

“ This is all my fault,” Telia kept saying over and over again,” I should have sensed something about him. I shouldn’t have taken the message to her.”

“ There they are,” Tugger’s voice said. We heard him coming and soon the entered the clearing. “ Hey kittens, where’d the others go?” Tugger asked looking around.

“ Search our territory and see if maybe Macavity would try to kill Charity within our boundaries,” Persephone answered.

“ Where’s his cave?” Telia asked the twins.

“ Follow us,” Coricopat said heading off.

“ We cannot tell you,” Tantomile added,” It must be shown and uncovered. When we get there though we’ll have one problem.”

“ What?” we all demanded.

“ We need a conjurer to open the gate,” they chorused.

Alonzo groaned. “ Where are the conjurers when you need them?”

“ Worry about it later,” Telia said running after Coricopat and Tantomile,” Come on!”

I darted after them. Alonzo was the fastest and Persephone came up in the rear. We ran for what seemed like ages, we even passed off our boundary into the neutral area where a lot of gangs were, until Coricopat and Tantomile came to a stop in front of a large bush.

“ This is a bush,” Tugger panted coming to a stop,” Not a cave.”

Coricopat pushed the leaves aside revealing a cave. Tantomile held another part of the bush up and let some light in. We saw a gate covering the whole opening.

“ Now all you need is a conjurer,” Coricopat told us.

“ Don’t try using force, it doesn’t work,” Tantomile added.

“ Good luck,” they said together and started running back to our territory. That was scary. The day those two are ever afraid, them I’m afraid.

“ Thanks,” Alonzo called.

“ We need to get in,” Telia tried to lift the gate. We all pushed at it together but it didn’t move.

“ We need a conjurer,” Tugger moaned quietly. He didn’t want to announce that we were here. “ And the only two we have aren’t available. And the other one is the one we’re trying to save!”

I was filled with sudden hope and I backed away. They thought I was giving up, but I wasn’t. “ I’m going to try and see if I got any power,” I declared,” I’m a ginger just like Draco and Macavity.”

“ Remember who you are though Tara,” Alonzo cautioned,” You saw what happened to your other ginger relatives.”

“ I will,” I nodded. I concentrated, hoping with all my heart for a miracle. I closed my eyes and concentrated even harder. Suddenly, I felt a touch on my paw and my eyes snapped open. I looked down beside me and saw that calico again! The one in my dream. The others saw him too.

“ Let me help you Tara,” the cat whispered taking my paw. I closed my eyes too and I suddenly, my world changed.

My eyes opened and I twitched my paw. The gate snapped open and Loriek, the little calico, disappeared. They were all staring at me as if they were expecting me to suddenly get possessed or something. I felt happy and said,” Come on, Charity needs us.”

Telia was the first to dart in after me, followed by Alonzo and Tugger. Persephone came at the rear since she was a bit slow.

The main room of the cave came up and I stopped just before going in and flattened myself against the wall. I peered in and would never forget what I saw.