Katey learns of a massive corruption attempt. Spirits approach her to cooperate with them in an attempt to end it. Will the new powers she is given be of any use—and will she have the willpower to use them?
Katey had only just woken up and was still half-asleep. She had slept in as it was Saturday and her mother had gone to work. She wandered toward the dining room heading for the kitchen with the idea of preparing some breakfast. As she passed the budgie cage there was a voice that didn’t register immediately.
“About time you woke up and fed me”.
“Yeah whatever,” she mumbled then took two more steps and spun around suddenly realising she was home alone, ‘‘What! Who said that?”
“I did, stupid. Who else is here?”
She was now staring at the budgie and saw his beak move. “You can’t talk, Charlie,” she said.
“Oh no, then watch my beak.”
“I did, but don’t call me stupid or you’ll get nothing.”
“Alright, but please, I’m hungry—and some fresh water if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Okay, I’ll do it now.”
“Thanks.”
Katey got the birdseed from the cupboard and filled his seed bowl, then took his water bowl washed it out and fill it with fresh water.
“There you are Charlie,” she said as she placed the water bowl back in his cage, “Enjoy.”
She stepped back from the cage and watched the bird eat, all thought of breakfast now completely forgotten. How amazing is this, I can actually have a conversation with a bird. Nah, this’s just a dream—this can’t be happening.
It’s happening alright, you’re not dreaming.
“Now you’re reading my mind. What is this? Who are you? What are you?” she asked.
“Just a common budgie, with a special gift, that can talk and telecommunicate,” Charlie replied.
“And before, I heard you in my head and your beak didn’t move.”
“Yeah, I was just testing you to see if you could read my thoughts.”
“Wait til mum gets home, she’s gonna freak.”
“No, that won’t happen.”
“Why?”
“This has to stay between just you and me.”
“But why?”
“Well, if it gets out, there’s a bird that can hold a conversation, they’ll think I’m a freak, and you know your mum and money. She’ll be selling me off to the highest bidder.”
“Hey, that’s a great idea.” Katey chuckled. “We could make a fortune.”
“It wouldn’t do you any good—I’d shut up and wouldn’t say a word.”
“Nah, I won’t do that—I was only joking. Besides, this could be fun.”
“Okay, then for now we can chat when we’re alone and use telepathy when we’re not… Okay?”
“Okay, I’ll keep it quiet.”
“Exactly, unless you want people to think you’ve lost your marbles.” Charlie started laughing.
“This is really cool. Now I’ll have someone to talk to.”
“Yeah, and that goes for me too. You can also leave the cage door open if you like, so I can come out and fly around.”
“But you might take off.”
“Nah, I’ve got it too good here to do that.”
“Okay, as long as you promise.”
“I promise, and I’ll come and sit on your shoulder if you want.”
Katey opened the cage door and Charlie flew out. “I’ll just fly around a bit first to stretch my wings.”
After a short flight, Charlie landed on the refrigerator. He sat there taking in the surroundings, then flew onto Katey’s shoulder, hopped up to her face and nibbled gently on her cheek.
“That’s a kiss for feeding me and letting me out.”
“That’s okay, it’s cool.”
