THE GOOD STRAY
CHAPTER ONE - SENTENCE

"Everything's gonna be alright."

I wish I could believe him. I wish that I had the optimism he has. Through everything that has happened, Jerrie has stood by my side. For the four weeks we've been in this Heaviside forsaken cell, he's offered me ample affections and comforts. Without him, I doubt I could have made it this far.

We're being imprisoned for treason to Macavity. On the same day, mere hours apart, Macavity found out about Jerrie and I being part of the Jellicles, and the Jellicles found out that Jerrie and I were working for Macavity.

Macavity is making us stay in here until our punishment is decided, our fates planned. There are really only two ways we can go. Death or life. Death would be a sentence to killing by his head workers. This would be painful but quick. In a way, I'd prefer death over life.

Life means we are released on the streets again. But where would we go? We've both been banished from the Jellicle tribe, our only home; our pets say we cause more trouble than what we're worth; and the Strays hate us for the problems we've caused their leader. I doubt that we'd last a day on the street. Damn Strays would finish us off like a pack of rabid pollicles.

I'll never forget the looks in the eyes of the Jellicles. Only Bomb and Demi knew that we worked for Macavity, after the time they spent as prisoners. They knew never to tell on us. We helped them while they were in here. I wonder if they're getting in trouble for hiding our secret. I'd hate to think that they were.

After receiving word from an anonymous informer that Jerrie and I had regular meetings with the Jellicles, Macavity sent a scout to follow us everywhere. It only took two days for him to find the information he was after, and once he did he jumped on us. Yelling and screaming that Jerrie and I were traitors to the Stray tribe only meters from the junkyard, it was hard for the Jellicles not to hear. The scout was kind enough to let us hear Old Deutoronomy condemning us before dragging us away to the lair.

We've been in this cell basically ever since.

The sound of a key passing through the keyhole snaps our attention. Jerrie is instantly at my side, an arm around my shoulders. The face that appears as the door creaks open chills both of us to the bone. Once such a friendly tom, Cyclone has been ordered to take us to the thrown room to await our sentence, as he has informed us.

Jerrie holds my paw as we follow the looming black tom down the hall. I can feel his tension almost subconsciously. He is, after all, my twin. I look into his eyes, and despite his smile, I know that he's afraid. His eyes are glazed and pale. He's just as frightened as I am.

We can hear the sounds of Macavity's workers as we draw nearer the thrown room. I just know that he's invited everyone to see his twisted victory. The demented tom seems to boast his court system, the system that has seen hundreds of innocent workers to their deaths.

As we enter the room, Cyclone tears the two of us apart, pushing us through the abusive crowd to kneel before our "master", awaiting our sentence. Holding paws is kittenish, I remember Macavity saying. No amount of comfort from my brother could help at that point. I sensed the verdict when I looked into the monster's eyes.

"Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer," he begins, voice dripping with contempt. "The two of you are being trialled for treason to the name of your boss, your tribe and the name of all cats."

It rings loud in my ears. The name of all cats. The Strays and Jellicles alike now share a common hatred of us. Mercy, what have we done? Fear now sinks in as I realise what will become of both of us.

"For this crime," he continues. "You have both been found guilty by a jury of your peers." A holler of approval sounds from the crowd, then turning into all out cheers. "This verdict carries with it the penalty of death. Your execution will be conducted one week from tomorrow's sunrise."

Without asking us if we have any last requests, he orders Cyclone to take us back to our cell. It's not until we're safely back in there and alone that I let what has just happened sink in.

I can't help it. Crying may be the act of a kitten, but I'm going to in a week. Who wouldn't be scared?

Jerrie continues to be supportive. He now has me in his arms, rocking me gently with his chin resting on the top of my head. I cling to him as if he were my vice. I won't let him go until they force us to break away from each other. Without him...

The door creaks open again. I look up at Jerrie, but he is sound asleep.

Holding my breath, I wait to see who it is that has come to visit me.

*~*