CATS: Looking For Etcetera

Chapter Twelve: An Unwanted Arrival

Mistoffelees, Tugger, Demeter, Bomba and Plato made their way through the city streets. 

It was late evening now and there were almost no people or traffic around. Where did they all go at this time? It didn't seem like there were enough houses to hold them all. They were always swarming about everywhere, but it would be easier to get around now they were basically on their own.
This time Mistoffelees lead the pack, sniffing the air every now and then to check for any familiar scents. Demeter followed closely behind. She hadn't spoken all day, and was too distant for anyone to reach. They'd tried making conversation but she would only make slight noises in reply. Bomba knew there was no point in trying to get her to talk, so she walked slightly behind with her head down, lost in her own world. Plato and Tugger took up the rear, neither saying anything. Plato's mind was too set on the mission to care what anyone else was doing, and Tugger was still blushing over his little "moment" with Misto. So no-cat said anything, but unlike yesterday the atmosphere was somewhat relaxed. The streets of the town center were wide and cobbled and smooth, and a gentle shower of rain had started to fall. They reached a gap in the side of two buildings and Mistoffelees stopped. He stood still and held his tail in the air, alert. Demeter skidded to a halt behind him and looked too. 

"What?" she said urgently. "Do you sense something?"

Plato rushed to the front of the group and glanced from Misto to the side street questioningly. 

"What?" he too asked. Misto said nothing. He sniffed the air once more, his muscles suddenly tense. 

"N-nothing," he mewed quietly. "I thought I sensed something, but it's gone now." 

"You're sure?" Plato said sharply, not willing to take risks. Misto nodded. 

"It's fine, let's keep going." 

Bomba came to Demeter's side and walked closely with her, trying to calm her nerves. She gestured Plato over too with a flick of her head, and reluctantly he walked on the other side of the golden tabby. The streets winded in and out of each other like snakes. They passed churches, shops, patches of grass, but nowhere secret enough for Macavity to be hiding there. They were about to give up for the night when Plato called out;

"Hey, look, over there." 

He reached out a fore paw and pointed to something in the distance. Through the thin metal fence of a tiny park they caught sight of a tiny alley, lodged between a tall church and a house. The perfect hiding spot for a criminal hiding a prisoner. The cats were at the edge of town now, but quite where they didn't know. The rain began to stop and the world felt damp and silent and empty. There was something eerie about the alley as the sun left the sky, and all faces turned towards Plato. 

"What?" he said. 

"It was your idea, you go first," Tugger mewed quietly. The white and brown kitten looked at Tugger, then to the others. No-one said anything. 

"Fine," he purred, shaking his fur out and slipping through the black bars. The other four cats gathered together and watched him wide eyed as he padded silently across the grass of the park. He turned back briefly but said nothing. A swing blew back and forth in the light evening breeze, the rusty metal squeaking rhythmically each time. No-cat could quite put a paw on what it was that was making everyone so on edge, but something that night just felt wrong and out of place. Like they were being watched...

Plato was halfway across the park when they heard a noise no cat ever wanted to hear. A low, rumbling vibration that echoed through the abandoned square. Plato froze. A gasp escaped Bomba's lips and Tugger's fur stood straight up on end. The noise split the night and everyone's hearts. All the cats recognised it straight away. It was a bark. A dog, barking in the distance. A Pollicle dog. 

"Plato!" Demeter hissed, her dark eyes huge with fear. Plato slowly turned his head and stared back. His gaze was impossible to read. "Get back here!" Demeter continued. No-one could tell yet where the dog actually was, but Misto's Senses, no matter how poor, told him it was too close for comfort. Usually a Pollicle wouldn't be too much trouble, but at this time of night they were bored and and agitated and would do anything for some "fun". With a group this big they would attract a lot of unwanted attention. After a moment's silence another bark rang out through the square. The dog was getting closer. 

"Plato, get out of there, it's sensed us!" Misto mewed urgently, his heart pounding in his chest. It was then that Bombalurina caught sight of it. A big, hairy creature on the opposite side of the park, walking down the street, panting loudly. It's stench filled her nostrils before she even saw it. The Pollicle was padding steadily and had not yet reached Plato; if he turned back and ran they could all get away without being seen. But Plato didn't turn. He didn't run. Instead he stood, stock still, staring straight ahead, not even acknowledging the dog. 

"What does he think he's doing?!" Tugger hissed under his breath. Everyone else was thinking the same thing. 

"He's crazy!" Bomba rasped, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

"What do we do?" Misto gasped. 

"There's nothing we can do," Bomba replied, her voice shaking. She didn't need to finish her sentence. Everyone knew this was between Plato and the dog, and neither were getting away easily.