Unique
By Jemima
Part 1
"Get out you dirty disgusting thing! I never want to see you again!" rang in Uniqua’s ears as she wandered aimlessly down the deserted streets and alleys of the town. It was midnight and not even the moon shone to guide her footsteps.
She began to think of the day not too long ago when the baker and his family had eagerly greeted her. She had been so happy then; she had thought that she had found a home in which she could happily live. Then her painful memories returned…Oh, how wrong she had been! As son as the excitement about her had gone from the children she had become a menace, a thing of constant torture. The climax came when she was caught stealing a pastry from the shelf - the baker had then and there kicked her out into the muddy, crowded streets. Uniqua was forced to realize that he didn’t care if she got run over or starved to death. He was just like all the other humans in the world…
Yes, she could admit that she wasn’t the perfect pet, but she was feline. What more could they expect? Her shiny brownish-black fur had attracted humans as well as other cats to her, but they had thought only about her looks, not her personality. They had no time for a lively, exciting, and rather naughty mind. The one thing she had wanted in life was love and she had looked for it in humans, but when she was thrown out that day all her hopes and dreams were destroyed. Her past meant nothing at all.
Uniqua shed at tear… Nonetheless that family had given her a home, a place which, if not perfect, was comfortable and secure. Now she was left with nothing, not even friends. Her heart was empty, but she continued to drag her weary body and muddy paws over the endless stretch of city streets.
***
That night the Rum Tum Tugger slept happily with Rumpelteazer curled up against him. He had finally succeeded at winning Rumpel’s heart from Mungojerrie and he was tired. Ha ha. He laughed in his sleep. Now he had all the Jellicles at his paws even the tom cats.
He still cherished the look of surprise on Mungo’s face when he Mungo saw Rumpel rubbing lovingly against Rum Tum. Again Rum Tum laughed for he was happier than he had ever been. He loved winning. Suddenly a frown came over him… There was one cat that he hadn’t beaten: Munkustrap! That cat was too dignified to simply fall head over heels in love and so Tugger had no one to steal away from him. Again the Rum Tum Tugger frowned. Boy was Munku a thorn in his side… Ah well, there were still other pleasures to enjoy, such as torturing all the others.
Tugger sighed in his sleep. Yep, life was surely good.
Upon hearing Rum Tum sigh, Rumpel awoke and turned her head towards her love. What in the world had she ever seen in Mungo when she could have the Rum Tum Tugger all to herself? She couldn’t understand herself. The young female troublemaker crawled closer to Rum Tum and curled up next to his tummy, purring gently.
Footsteps!
Rumpel shook Tugger to wakefulness and hissed as a warning to all the other Jellicles hidden in the junkyard. Someone was coming! Tugger stood up, dizzy from Rumpel’s shaking, and prepared to pounce to protect his "love" from danger. Rumpel hissed another warning. The footsteps stopped. All was quiet in anticipation of danger.
Then the footsteps, which were now clearly heard by all, began again and a mysterious cat, covered in mud, emerged into the junkyard. Rum Tum pounced, but caught himself in mid air, realizing that the cat posed no harm. However, the other had seen him jump and a terrible scream full of fear pierced the still night air, and Uniqua fell senseless to the ground.