A Stranger in the Night

My head is pounding like a drum, sending shockwaves of pain throughout my entire body. Slowly, I open one eye and peer cautiously around the room. I do not remember this place. Gingerly, I push myself into a sitting position, wincing from pain with every movement. Something has to be broken; no doubt about it.

The room is cold and damp. I hear the steady drip of a leaky pipe echo eerily through the empty room. There is no furniture; there are no windows. I wonder what time it is—is it night or morning? I don't know how long I've been asleep. I consider walking over to the door at the other end of the room, but decide against it. I'm in no condition to walk that far, and besides, where would I go once I opened it? If I don't know how I got here, how would I know the way back home?

I lean against the wall, taking time to think. Surprisingly, I am not afraid. I always thought that if I found myself in a situation like this—in a strange, dark place without any recollection of how I got here or how I received the large knot on my head—I would go into hysterics. But actually I am quite calm. I collect my thoughts and try to regain my last memory. It was the night before—or I think it was; I'm not sure how long I've been here—at the Jellicle Ball. Bombie and I had spent the evening grooming ourselves and practicing our dance moves in the hallway of our human's house.

Finally, after glancing at herself for the 100th time in the mirror, Bombalurina announced that it was time to go. On the way, I took time to rehearse my dance steps again.

"You are such a perfectionist," Bombie rolled her eyes and wrinkled her pretty nose in disdain.

It wasn't that Bombie didn't rehearse, because she did—she just relies more on her looks, preferring to just "wing-it" when the time comes, boldly choosing to go with whatever feels right at the moment. That is how Bombie lives her life—no hesitations, no second thoughts, no regrets. I envy her for it.

~*~

I had spent the evening watching Munkustrap, the Protector of the Jellicles, as he sang songs about the Great Rumpus Cat and announced the candidates for the Heaviside Layer. He's so handsome, just like his brother, the Rum Tum Tugger. But unlike Tugger, he has other qualities to back up his good looks—he is kind and caring; he is strong and brave and good.

Mother is always saying that he will make some lucky queen a very good mate one day. I always hope that lucky queen will be me. Perhaps if he would notice me, he would see how much I care. But how could he, when he is surrounded by so many other beautiful queens, like Bombalurina and Cassandra and Rumpleteaser?

You see, everyone else has something that makes them special. Tanto can see the future; Bombie can drive a tom wild with a single wink; Cassandra can remember all seven of her past lives; Teaser is an adorably wicked prankster. They all have such strong personalities, such distinctive characteristics. I do not possess such things. I move about in constant fear, always terrified of messing up or doing the wrong thing or otherwise making a fool of myself.

I don't know how I became so afraid of everything. I don't think I was always this timid. I remember being younger and having such a joie de vie. I would dare to do anything; I was always up for a new adventure. But somehow that all changed. Somewhere along the way, I had lost my spirit, and I don't know how to get it back.

The night progressed as it usually did. When the other cats began to disappear into the dark night, I decided to return home. Bombie was nowhere to be found. Of course not. She was probably in the arms of some tom, sleeping peacefully, I thought with a pang of envy. I had become acquainted with mating a long time ago, but it had been with Alonzo, a timid unpleasant fumbling that left me feeling foolish and clumsy. I did not see why Bombie enjoyed it so. Perhaps it was because she possessed so much more confidence than I did.

I walked home alone, feeling slightly depressed. Yet I could feel this edginess, this uneasy gnawing in my stomach. Something was going to happen; I could sense it. Naturally, I was worried because I didn't know what it was.

That was the last thing I remembered.

~*~

The door creaks open, sending in a flood of light. I cringe, but I do not turn away. I look toward the tall form that stands in the doorway. It is obviously a tom. He steps into the room, the light pouring in behind him and blocking his face from my view. His voice seems detached from his body, "Hello, Demeter."

That voice…so gravelly, yet somehow smooth. Suddenly, my mind releases a floodgate of memories…he was holding me tightly, almost crushing me, but I didn't care. The creatures of the night hummed loudly as my heart pounded in my ears. I can remember it all—every glorious moment of that night.

~*~

I was looking down at my paws, not watching where I was going. I bumped into a cat going the opposite direction.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I whispered hurriedly, looking up at the stranger. He was a ginger tom with dark eyes and a gravelly voice, "No, no, the fault's all mine."

I gave a weak smile, knowing it was my fault. He was only being polite.

"What's your name?" He asked. I looked up, surprised that he would even care. My eyes met his and I was transfixed. He wasn't a very handsome, but there was something about him—something indescribable—that struck me. I caught my breath, "Demeter."

"The name of a goddess," he smiled smoothly. "It suits you."

I gave a small laugh of surprise, shaking my head, "No, no, I don't think so."

"Just because you don't think so doesn't make it any less true," he replied, stepping forward. Everything in my head was screaming for me to leave, to run home as fast as I could. I knew he was dangerous; I could tell just by looking at him. Usually I am very careful, but tonight I didn't care.

My mother always warned me against strangers, "A small defenseless kit like you could easily get picked up by strangers. You have to be careful."

She never said a "pretty kit", just a "small kit". That was how most cats usually described me—small. You know what always follows small? Insignificant.

And for the most part, I was small and insignificant. I was easily overshadowed by Bombalurina's tall and lanky form, with her coy glances and coquettish ways. I faded to nothing next to Cassandra's quiet dignity and exotic beauty. I wasn't unique, like the snow white Victoria; I wasn't adorable and outgoing, like my little sister Etcetera. No. I was just plain Demeter. Plain, quiet, small Demeter.

"That's very sweet of you," I blushed, turning my eyes to the pavement. He gave a wry chuckle, "No one's ever called me sweet before."

I looked up at him, afraid that I had offended him, but he was still smiling good-naturedly. He leaned forward, "Demeter, I would like to kiss you."

Despite the voice in my head telling me to recoil, to run away, I just stood there, "Well, I don't know if…I mean, I just—"

He stopped my mouth with his. I felt the very breath leave my lungs. He pulled away, asking in a low tone, "May I?"

I nodded, unable to speak. He kissed me again, pulling me in tightly. I felt myself quiver in fear, resisting the urge to pull away. In that moment I melted into him, feeling fire shoot through my veins as I drew a ragged breath of excitement. Suddenly I knew why Bombie liked it so much.

"Perhaps we could continue this elsewhere," he smiled down at me. Suddenly, my common sense returned, "I-I-I don't think so..it just seems so…"

He took a step back, genuinely thrown off by my refusal. I knew I had made him angry, I gave a small smile, "It's just that…"

I was at a loss of words. How could I explain to him that tumultuous feelings that battled in my breast—feelings that I could not even explain to myself?

"I understand," he said softly. I motioned weakly with my paws, "I'm not very good at this sort of thing."

"You could've fooled me," he grinned again, sending another shot of adrenaline through my body like a lightning bolt. Every inch of my body screamed to be with him, begging for just another taste of this powerful and alluring stranger.

I smiled nervously again, "It was nice, though. Thank you."

"Thank you," he smiled softly back at me. He turned to go, "Sweet dreams, Demeter."

I nodded and turned away quickly, before I changed my mind again. I don't know how I made it home so fast.