Discovered

Rach felt an electric zap up her arm. She couldn't figure out what was going on; why Brios was looking at her the way he was.

'Can you hear me?'

Argh, why do I keep thinking I hear voices in my head? Dad definitely has to stop this foraging lark.

He might think it was fun to go and collect blackberries and mushroom and things that grew wild, but Rach could still remember the time the mushrooms sent her all giggly and silly, and gave her weird and wonderful thoughts—like now. Dad said they were magic mushrooms and he hadn't meant to pick them, but she had a feeling he'd made the same mistake again.

'You can hear voices Rach—my voice. It's me! Look at me Rach.'

"Brios? What..." She didn't know what to say, how did you ask someone if they were messing about with your mind?'

"It's a gift, and it's not messing." At least that was real and out loud.

"Um, what do you mean?" Rach asked cautiously, not really sure she wanted to hear his explanation.

"I can send messages to you."

Ri-i-ight.

But, Brios looked sane, like a normal, hot-bod boy in a boring school uniform. But shoot—his face was solemn and he didn't look as if he was ready for the funny farm.

She began to fumble with the door handle.

'I'm sane, stop worrying.'

"Hells bells Brios, what the heck is this all about? How can I hear you when you're not speaking?"

"It's complicated. It's a gift given to certain people. Who can project and receive thoughts."

Rach thought about that. She figured she'd just smile and go along with it; just until she was back at school and away from him. One day she might just listen to her dad!

Then she looked closely at his face and realized he wasn't joking.

'Believe it Rach.'

Oh great! One more reason not to like it up here; a mind reading hottie … Ahh!

"So, I can hear you, or whatever you call it? Can you hear me?' Brios nodded with a smile, and Rach felt her face go red. "Oh shit."

Brios laughed out loud at that. Rach felt like hitting him. What if there was something in it? Did that mean she had to not think anything even slightly dodgy? She waited for some smart-ass comment to fill her mind, but nothing did.

"So, er, you don't sense everything I say then?" She really wanted to know the answer to that.

To her relief, Brios shook his head.

"Rach I would never do that, it goes against our creed."

"Creed?"

To her disappointment, Brios looked at his watch and groaned. "Look we've got to get back to school. Rach, there's so much I need to ask, to tell you about … to explain. We need to meet up somehow. You tell me how and when, and I'll be there."