Teddycats (7 page)

THE ELDER MEETING
was already under way.

Once again, Ramon stood before the Fountain and calmly outlined the disasters the Kingdom had already faced, as well as the additional disasters it might reasonably expect from the future. The gathered Teddycats were racked with panic: the exact opposite of the communal tizzy that overtook the population at rainbow-blessed sweetmoss harvests and other high holidays. Some particularly anxious Teddycats seemed on the verge of fainting.

Bill sliced his way through the crowd. If he stopped to reconsider his plan, even for a moment, he would lose his nerve. So he dropped his chin and kept pushing until he was kneeling before the Fountain. Ramon cast an eye downward at Bill but finished his thought. “. . . therefore, we must secure a new sanctum.”

“Sir?” Bill said, jumping straight in, as usual. “May I address the Teddycats?”

Ramon smiled tightly at Bill. “Shoo, little Garra.”

“There's something I need to say,” said Bill.

Ramon's face was frozen for a moment, until he stepped aside with a dramatic flourish.

Bill couldn't believe it—Ramon was actually going to let him talk. But then, before he could even open his mouth to speak, he was walloped by a tidal wave of outrage. The crowd of Teddycats snarled and hissed, tried to shout him off the podium.

Then he spotted his parents, standing together near the back. Marisol offered a small smile. His father's features were stony, but Bill took some comfort in his steadfastness and predictability.

Finally, as the crowd began to tire, Bill watched a wave of exhaustion sweep through them. Bill had outlasted their anger, withstood the outburst, and yet he still wanted to stand before them and say his piece. He cleared his throat.

“Cloud Kingdom is my home,” Bill began, and he was met with sleepy scowls. “I can't imagine life without this place. But it should not be a prison, or even some kind of exclusive hideaway. We are capable of so much more. There is real suffering on the jungle floor. And just because we're not down there to see all of it up close doesn't mean we can ignore our duties as citizens, as Teddycats, as jungle dwellers.”

Bill stopped and took a breath, expecting to get hit with more anger. But, though there was definite tension
in the crowd, they didn't fill the silence with hisses or shouts. They were listening.

“So let's stand up for ourselves,” Bill said, seizing the chance to be heard. “Okay, so the humans know we exist. They've seen our claws, and soon they might figure out how to find our home. Right now, they're holding three of my friends—two Teddycats and an Olingo. I know that probably none of them would be missing right now if it weren't for me.” Bill paused, feeling a ball of sad pressure build near his heart. He blinked once and kept going. “But I want to get them back, and I can't do it alone. I need help, from all of Cloud Kingdom. And if that means more exposure to humans and everything else down there . . . well, I think that's the risk we have to take. Because a sanctuary is not a sanctuary if it protects only animals strong enough to leave when the going gets tough. If we do nothing to help Elena, Jack, and Luke, then we're no better than the humans, or any other predator. Look how lucky we are! We can do so much good and help so many down in the jungle. Why not be proud of that and step forward?”

The gulf between Bill and the crowd had slimmed and somewhat softened. That rippling static of discontent remained, but with less braying, fewer bared teeth.

“So. Is anybody with me?”

Nobody made a sound. Were they all choked up and unable to speak? Bill himself was trembling with adrenaline, and he couldn't see straight. His only plan
had been to speak from the heart and hope for the best. He didn't realize until now how strong his convictions really were, and that they had just been waiting for him to find the courage to share them. He glanced at his parents, but they wore only blank smiles.

“What do you say?” Bill said, ready to bring it home. “Let's do—”

“Get out of here, Garra!” shouted a Teddycat somewhere in the middle of the crowd.

“This is all your fault, you little jerk!”

“Boo!”

Bill threw up his arms in defense. “Wait!” he said. “Hold on, there's more! We can—”

“Boooooooooo!”

Bill surrendered. He stood up there, his chin on his chest, feeling foolish and lost. Finally Ramon nudged him off to the side with a subtle smirk, then got to work restoring order and calm among the Teddycats. As the crowd began to disperse, still murmuring insults under their breath, Bill trudged down from the Fountain, resigned to a life of exile.

BILL AND HIS
mother took the long way back to their den, looping around the Kingdom. Big Bill Garra had decided to stay at the Fountain to debrief Ramon and discuss defense policies with the Elders. Bill knew exactly what would happen: The Elders would show him the courtesy of listening to him, but they weren't going to change their minds just because Bill was his son.

“I guess you and Dad are probably pretty much fed up with me,” said Bill.

Marisol rubbed his head. “We know you're a good kitten, Bill. We're just worried about you.”

“I wish I could stay here with you guys and just hope for the best. But I can't. I'm responsible for what happened to Elena, Jack, and Luke. You get that, right?”

“I get it,” said Marisol.

“Good.”

He turned away from his mother and yawned. Fatigue pinched his bones. His eyes itched. He couldn't
remember the last time he had slept through the night. Grimacing, he swallowed the sleepy taste from his mouth, rubbed his eyes with his paws, and took three sharp breaths.

“You're tired,” Marisol said. “I can tell.”

“No way, I'm fine,” Bill said. “Just got another wind.”

“Don't try to hide from me, buddy,” Marisol said. “I'm your mother.”

“I'm aware of that, Mom.”

“You're a brave little Teddycat, you know that? A little fresh sometimes, but brave.”

“That doesn't seem like the popular opinion right now.”

“I'm serious,” Marisol said. “Forget all that. I'm going to tell you something, Bill, but you can't repeat it to anyone, no matter what. Okay?”

“Okay,” Bill said, his little ears perking up.

“I'm serious,” said Marisol. “You have to promise. If you tell anybody, I'll deny it.”

“All right, I promise!”

His mother had never struck Bill as a particularly mysterious soul. Her priorities were unwavering and well-known. She lived for her family and her community, and she believed in kindness and selflessness. In other words, she was predictable, just like Bill's dad. Bill almost always knew where Marisol stood and where she could be found. She was supportive of Bill Sr.'s political ambitions, though she was far more
passionate about misting the garden, or delivering baskets of sweetmoss to neighbors in need, or caring for injured visiting creatures with her famous healing balm mixtures. So Bill had a hard time believing his mother was harboring a secret so big she'd forbid her son from acknowledging it in public.

“Then here goes,” Marisol said, looking both up and down and behind her. They were standing on the outer rings of the Kingdom, the sheer face of the volcano rising before them. Seeing nobody, Marisol grabbed Bill by the arm and leaned into him. “I agree with you.”

“Wait,” began Bill, head swimming. “How so, exactly?” he asked.

“Remember our last talk?” said Marisol. “About the dangers of interacting with the jungle?”

“Sure,” said Bill. “You scared me pretty good.”

“Well, I wanted to tell you then, but it didn't seem like the right time. But that was before Elena and Jack went missing. I didn't realize how close we were coming to being exposed. And I certainly had no idea how much you were ready to sacrifice. But I agree with you. I don't believe Teddycats will ever reach their potential if we keep our heads in the clouds. And I don't think the Kingdom should be a secret. I think we need to exchange information, combine resources, join the party.”

“Yes, that's exactly what I'm talking about!” said Bill. “But wait, why didn't you say anything back there, when everyone was booing me?”

“There are all sorts of grown-up reasons why I couldn't speak up back there. And if you decide to go down to the jungle, I won't be able to go with you. I'm not proud of some of the reasons keeping me quiet. It's complicated, but I just need to get this off my chest before you leave: I believe in what you're doing, and I believe in you. Maybe someday we will all return to Horizon Cove together.”

“Wow,” Bill said. He could barely think of what to say. “Thanks, Mom.”

Marisol rubbed Bill's head again and wiped a tear from her eye.

“Now give me a hug,” she said. Bill burrowed his snout into his mother's chest. It was warm and comforting, just as it had been a million times before.

“You are just the most perfect, wackiest possible combo of me and your father.”

“Isn't that what usually happens with kittens?” Bill said.

“I guess so,” Marisol said with a laugh.

They separated. “Remember: Keep my little confession under wraps.”

“I
said
I promise,” said Bill. “Believe in me? Believe in that.”

“I do,” said Marisol. “Now. How can I help? What do you need for your trip? If I were you I'd bring plenty of sweetmoss to barter. At the very least it might soften somebody up.”

“That's a good idea,” said Bill.

“And speaking of that,” said Marisol, “I know there's not a lot of time to rest, but when was the last time you had a proper meal?”

“I could eat,” said Bill, rubbing his belly.

They resumed down the lane and arrived at the Garra den, only to find Felix and Diego waiting for them. For the first time, Bill was confronted with the full extent of Felix's dignified bearing, his broad shoulders and proud jaw, all that remained of a slinky prowling gait despite his advanced age.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Garra,” said Felix.

“Good to see you up and about, Felix,” said Marisol. She smiled and nudged Bill forward, then excused herself and went into the den.

“That was quite a speech, Bill,” Felix said.

“Yeah,” Diego said to Felix, ignoring Bill, “think he really believed any of it?”

“I do, every word!” Bill said defiantly.

Normally Bill would never have challenged Diego like that, but from the scout's sly tone, he suspected it was what he wanted. Bill tried hard not to stare at Diego's scar, but then again that was one of only two options. All that was left of Diego's missing eye was the jagged line where his fur would not grow. The rest was filled in with legend. There were conflicting accounts about different battles against different foes.

“I believe in you, Bill Garra,” said Felix, giving Bill
an excuse to break his gaze. “Which is why I'm going to accompany you to the jungle.”

The moment took on a shimmery, dreamlike quality. Felix's validation and partnership had taken Bill from the depths of despair to the heights of hope and pride. He struggled to regain his wits and could respond only with a wild fist pump that spun him around.

“Aye,” Diego said. “And I'll come along as well. I owe it to my mate, Jack.”

“Okay!” said Bill, excited. “I believe we officially have a posse.”

“Hey, me three!”

Bill turned around, confused, and Felix and Diego followed his lead. There was Omar, with his arms crossed in a bold stance, in the middle of the lane.

“Now who's this li'l bugger?” said Diego, already gone cranky again.

“Oh, brother,” Bill said, then took Omar aside. “Hey, Omar, quick question: Are you insane?”

Omar rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, I know we have our differences . . .”

“That's one way to put it,” said Bill. “Didn't you just run me out of my best friend's yard?”

“She used to be my best friend, too!” said Omar.

It had been a long time since either one of them had acknowledged the distance that had grown between them. Bill wondered how much would remain if they blew off the dust. It had been mostly a question of
awkwardness more than personality, the natural chafing between three competitive personalities.

“Look, I'm not saying we'll ever get back to me, you, and Maia, the way we used to be,” Omar said quietly, “but Maia is still my friend. I want to help bring Elena home.”

“What if, after all this, ‘home' is some place different than Cloud Kingdom?”

“Wherever home might be,” said Omar. “Wherever we're together.”

“That's mighty decent of you, Omar,” said Bill. “Is that the only reason?”

Omar laughed. “I guess . . . Well, it's stupid, but I've always wanted a shot at being a hero, you know? At first I was happy to watch you get creamed by the crowd at the Fountain, but then I realized . . . what he's proposing, it's pretty darn heroic.”

“So this whole time I thought you hated me,” Bill said, “but really you were just totally jealous. It's all starting to make sense now.”

“Okay,” Omar said, “I wouldn't say
jealous
. Let's maybe slow it down a little bit.”

“If you say so, buddy,” said Bill. “So, should we shake on it?”

“Sure,” said Omar, sticking out a paw.

Bill did the same, but then hastily retracted it. “Wait,” he said, eying Omar suspiciously. “Is this a prank?”

“No.”

Bill narrowed his eyes. “Are you a spy?”

“No!”

“Well . . . okay, then,” Bill said, then stuck his paw out again. They shook on it, and Bill introduced him to the old jaguar.

“Welcome aboard, Omar,” Felix said. “I've met your father. He's a very enlightened Teddycat.”

“Thank you,” said Omar, blushing a bit.

“All right, enough of this dilly-dally,” said Diego, roughly mussing the fur of Omar's head. “Now what?”

“Best to leave as soon as possible,” said Felix, with one eye on the shifting afternoon light. “So go home and get your gear, Omar, but pack smart. We'll meet back here at dusk.”