Phoebe woke up in a terror.  She dreamt her owner had disowned her because she has been gone or a month.  And because communication out of the house to the outside world is forbidden, she has no way of easing her fears.  Shadow woke up to Phoebe crying. Shadow told Phoebe that Nick her owner loved her too much that he would never do that.  She told Phoebe that Nick is sad she is gone but has not disowned, will take her back with open arms once it’s safe to return back to normal. That quieted Phoebe down enough that they were able to discuss their situation and how it was going without being able to communicate with their loved ones. They discovered they both were scared and missed their owners.

“Come on let’s have breakfast.  I hear Suzie is in charge of food today.  She always makes good meals,” said Shadow. They were not disappointed.  Suzie had made French toast, eggs, fruit cups, coffee, and juice.  “Thank you for breakfast, Suzie,” said Shadow happy she was using what she learned yesterday and did not hear other people’s thoughts.  “Why thank you, Shadow.  You are welcome.  How are you feeling today?” said Suzie. “I feel great.  I’m starting to learn how to control the mind-reading.  I’m very happy,” said Shadow.  Pete just looked at Shadow as if she was a freak.  He was still scared by her.  Captain Cattitude came into breakfast late.  He was happy to see Shadow was freaking out this morning.  Good morning everyone.  Shadow are you read to learn you other power? “said Captain Cattitude. “Yes sir,” said Shadow a bit scared now what she was learning next.  “Great, we begin after breakfast,” said Captain Cattitude. “But can we first discuss if there is any way we can see how our owners are doing?  Phoebe is scared she is losing her owner and since we can’t communicate to them, it’s not helping to ease her fear,”  “I’ll see what we can do said Suzie understanding how the girls were feeling about missing loved ones.”…

Shadow awoke and it was now morning.  Phoebe did not wake her up as she requested.  She was still in a slight gaze when she got up from the bed – stumbled to stand up.  She had to grasp onto her dresser to keep herself from falling down. She noticed Phoebe was not in the room. ”What time is it?” she asked allowed  She looked over at the clock on her computer table it read 11:00 AM  “Great, I missed breakfast.  Oh well, lunch is less than an hour away, she said as she changed her clothes and headed toward the kitchen.

Upon reaching the kitchen, voices started to be heard in her head.  It seemed like six or eight people were talking to her at once.  ‘Damn, I don’t like this mind-reading power,” she thought to herself.  Captain Cattitude was in the kitchen along with Peter, Suzie, Baudelaire, and Phoebe.  They were all helping to make lunch.  Captain Cattitude looked at Shadow and knew something was wrong.  Suzie thought to herself she scares me which Shadow picked up in her mind.  Peter thought she might as well be an alien with all these weird powers as he looked at Shadow.  Baudelaire thought look at her she looks different, kind of scary looking. She has this look that she doesn’t know where she is.  Captain Cattitude asked if he could speak to Shadow in private They left the kitchen to go to the family room. “It’s happening again, huh, Shadow?” said Captain Cattitude. “Yes, they all hate me.  They think I am a freak show.  I can’t shut it off,” said a tearful Shadow.  “Remember focus on the person you want to hear.  If you don’t want to hear anybody’s thoughts, then focus on nothing,” he said. “I can’t.  It’s like a switch went on and now I can’t shut it off,” said Shadow sobbing. I’m going to add something to your training.  When you want to read someone’s mind, wiggle your nose.  Concentrate on the wriggling and what you want to accomplish with it,” said Captain Cattitude.  “Now, focus on my mind only, wiggle your nose and focus on my mind and heart.  Let me know when you hear only me, ok?” said Captain Cattitude. 

Shadow and Captain Cattitude stayed in the family room for hours.  Time and time again Shadow tried to master the power.  The third hour into practicing, she only heard Captain Cattitude’s voice. “I only hear your voice, she said.  “Perfect, now focus on Suzie’s mind and only hear her mind.  Shadow sat in her chair and wriggled her nose, she only heard Suzie’s mind. “I only hear Suzie, she said.  “Great now try not to hear anyone’s thoughts. Shadow did nothing but focus on the silence tuning out the voices she started to hear.  Eventually, she heard only her voice.  “I only hear my voice, said an excited Shadow.  Great, why don’t you lay down.  This process is exhausting for most….

Shadow emerged from Captain Cattitude’s room feeling like she could control the world.  After hours of training, she started to be able to shut out other people’s minds from hers.  She was able to focus on just the voice she wanted to hear and tune out the others.

 In training, it worked marvelously, but how would it work in the real world, she wondered.  Dinner was less than an hour away.  She would soon find out.  For now, she was going to lay down and catch a quick nap.

When she got to her room Phoebe was playing around with Photoshop looking a bit harried and unsure of herself.  “Are you alright Phoebe,” said Shadow as she entered the bedroom.  “Yes, I can’t quite figure out how to add text to a video and have it animate using Photoshop.  It’s driving me bonkers,” replied Phoebe still tweaking with the app settings trying to get it to work. “You’ll figure it out.  You always do.  So, I’m going to take a nap.  Can you wake me up at dinner time?” said Shadow as she lay herself down on the pillow to sleep. Before Phoebe could say yes, Shadow was out as quickly as if someone had just blown out a candlelight. “Wow, you must be tired,” said Phoebe talking to herself since Shadow couldn’t’ hear her…

Everyone gathered in the dining room for breakfast.  Suzie was making breakfast this morning. On the menu, today was scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, coffee, and orange juice.  Shadow began to hear everyone’s voice in her head.  Suzie was thinking that Phoebe was dressed inappropriately as usual.  Peter was thinking he was afraid of Captain Cattitude and Shadow.  Baudelaire was thinking he needs to keep shadow and her friends safe. Phoebe was thinking she was getting bored being stuck in the hidden safe house. Captain Cattitude was thinking Shadow should have this mind-reading down by now.  Shadow said allowed, “Stop!”  She then began to cry. It was all too much for her. Captain Cattitude asked, “What’s the problem?”  Shadow mumbled “I’m hearing everybody right now. I can’t handle it.” At that moment she left the table and ran off to her room.  Captain Cattitude followed her.

“This power is stronger in you then I have seen before.  We must teach you to turn it off at will.  Right now, it has free reign over you,” said Captain Cattitude.  “That will be the focus of today’s training,” he concluded… 

“I’m so fat,” thought Phoebe to herself as she looked at herself in the mirror; she was gaining weight she thought.  Shadow came up from behind her and told her she wasn’t fat, and she was hardly gaining any weight. “What! How’d you do that, Shadow,” said a puzzled Phoebe.  “I don’t know.  I just heard your voice in my head.  I wasn’t even focusing on it.  I’m sorry.  I’ll try not to do that again,” said a concerned Shadow. “Isn’t this day three of training for you today?” said Phoebe.  Well, let’s head for breakfast,” said Phoebe now a bit concerned about what she might think around Shadow.

• 

Baudelaire had made breakfast this morning.  He made crepes with fruit jam inside them.  It was probably the best breakfast served so far observed Phoebe. “It is good. Huh?” said shadow. Stop doing that, snarled Phoebe at Shadow.  “Sorry I don’t know what this is happening,” said a skittish Shadow.  “I’ll tell you about what you are experiencing during training today, “said Captain Cattitude. When everyone was done with their meal, each one went their separate ways. Shadow and Captain Cattitude retired to his room to begin more training. “As I told you this is a difficult power to master. You’re in the beginning stages where you read minds not knowing you are doing it,” said Captain Cattitude.“You should get more control over it after today’s session.  “Now shall we begin, but this time don’t move your tail and ears  It is not necessary for you to do this once you grasp how to do it,” said Captain Cattitude.

Shadow tried to read Captain Cattitude’s mind but it was not working.  After two hours, she was beginning to feel like she was broken.  “Why can’t I do this when I want to do it?” Shadow said as she became increasingly frustrated with herself. “Relax your mind and focus on mine.  “You can do this. You have the gift in you,” Shadow tried again.  She started hearing the word watermelon in her head.  “You’re thinking watermelon,” said a proud Shadow.  “You did it.  You really did it.  What am I thinking now?” he asked. “How nice it would be to go outside,” said Shadow.  “Very good.  You think you have the hang of it? “said Captain Cattitude.  “I think I do,” said Shadow.  “Ok, I think you had enough for today.  You should feel wiped out. I suggest you go lay down and get some rest,” said Captain Cattitude…

“World war 4 will be fought on the dancefloor,” was blasting out of Phoebe’s Alexis Spot device. Phoebe was shaking her butt back n forth to the beat, “Really, you need to play it that loud. It woke me up,” said Shadow now finding herself dancing to the beat. “Damn you, turn that off,” Shadow said as she threw her hands up in the air. “Come on let’s go eat breakfast. I’m starved,” said Shadow as she pulled Phoebe out of bed,

Breakfast was plain jane this morning. All that was available was breakfast cereal. Peter was in charge of meals today. He is lazy thought Shadow. Suzie sat next to Shadow, “How’s training going,” she asked Shadow. “it’s gotten hard. I can’t seem to get this new power under control,” replied Shadow. “Here’s the Raisin Bran you wanted,” said Shadow as she gave Suzie the box, Suzie looked at her dumbfounded, “How’d you do that?” she asked Shadow. “Do what?” said Shadow. “Know what I wanted,” said a puzzled Suzie. Shadow got quiet. She didn’t know how she did that either.

Time for training said Captain Cattitude as he motioned for Shadow to follow him. “You did it again. You read Suzie’s mind without knowing you were doing that. Now I want you to read my mind. Do what you did this morning,” said Captain Cattitude. “I don’t know what I did,” said a frustrated Shadow “Focus on my mind using your heart and mind. Really deeply focus on my mind,” said Captain Cattitude. “Ok,” said Shadow. Shadow tried hard to do what Captain Cattitude told her to do. An hour went by and Shadow thought she was starting to read his mind. “You think I will never get this,” said Shadow. “That’s right!” replied Captain Cattitude. “You’ve done it. Now what am I thinking?’ he said. “You’re thinking how proud you are of me,” said Shadow. “Right again,” said Captain Cattitude. “I think you have had enough for today. I imagine you’re very tired. I suggest you go lay down,” said Captain Cattitude. With that Shadow left his room and returned to hers…

Shadow, Phoebe, Baudelaire, Captain Cattitude, Suzie, and Peter had finished breakfast an hour ago. Suzie called for a special meeting after everyone was done eating. Suzie is the leader of the ramshackle gang. “Coronavirus or as it is now being called, COVID 19 has taken over Italy. The residents there are now on lockdown. As we border them, we need to take extra precautions. Constantly wash your hands, Soap kills the virus. We need to stay inside. I’m afraid this could last for a while. Finally, we need to be positive at all times. Negativity will only make this worse,” concluded Suzie. No one said a word. They were all in shock. “If you have any questions about this new decree, please feel free to ask me,” said Suzie.

“Very well, then, Shadow and I will commence her training. Come along Shadow,” said Captain Cattitude as he stood up to leave the family room and head off in the direction of his bedroom. Shadow followed suit. “Shadow take a seat. I realize I need to explain to you how important it is that you don’t abuse this power. You should only read minds when it calls for it. Never should you read minds for the fun of it. Catmoon had issues with this power until we all agreed to only use it when necessary. Do you understand?” said Captain Cattitude. “Yes,” said Shadow. “Good, now focus your energy and mind on what I am thinking. Think it with your heart and mind just like we did for levitating, that is the key,” said Captain Cattitude to Shadow he was concentrating so hard it looks like she was having issues with a bowel movement. “Concentrate but try not to squint so much and pushing down. You just need to focus on my mind without all this extra energy you are displaying,” said Captain Cattitude holding back his laughter at the sight of her.

“You are thinking I will never get this,” said Shadow, proud with herself for hearing his mind. “Um, not quite but close,” said Captain Cattitude. “Keep trying”, he said. After hours passed by Shadow could not read his mind. “I give up,” said a frustrated Shadow. “Perhaps we need to take a break for today,” captain Cattitude said. “Yes, please, thank you. I am tired,” said Shadow. “Run along, then,” said Captain Cattitude. Shadow did not hesitate when he said that. She immediately jumped off her chair and made a beeline to her bedroom to go lay down…

The artificial light lit up the girls’ room through the fake windows. It shone onto Shadow’s closed eyes; it awoke her. Phoebe was having one of her talking dreams with one of her boyfriends. “Oh, right there,” she cooed in her sleep. Shadow heard enough and went over and woke Phoebe. While shaking her gently Shadow said, “Come on girl, time to get up. Breakfast is ready.” Phoebe with barely open eyes said, “Alright, Alright. Let’s get going.” Phoebe and Shadow changed out of their pajamas and got into their regular clothes and headed off for breakfast.

“What’s to eat?” asked Phoebe as she first entered into the dining room. Shadow said,” omelets not yet in the room itself. Suzie said, ” omelets” “And hash browns,” said Shadow as she sat down at the table. Peter looked at her with a quizzical look on his face. “How did you know that, Shadow,” asked Peter. “I don’t know. It just popped in my head,” said Shadow. Captain Cattitude looked at Shadow and smiled. He knew what was happening to Shadow. When they were done eating breakfast, “Captain Cattitude told Shadow to come with him and they would begin training. Shadow followed Captain Cattitude to his room,

“Alright then, shall we begin?” said Captain Cattitude to Shadow. “Yes!” replied Shadow getting excited to conquer the mind-reading power. “Very well, then, shake your tail back and forth while you wiggle your ears and focus on my mind. Tell me what I am thinking,” he said, Hours passed and still Shadow could not read his mind. “What’s wrong? Why can’t I get this? I’m getting tired of moving my tail and ears,” said Shadow. “Then don’t move them.” “But you said I need to do this to activate the power,” she said. If you learn this right, you don’t need to do that,” he said. You just simply focus on someone’s mind and you will hear what they are thinking. You did it at breakfast time only you just didn’t know you were doing it,” said Captain Cattitude. “What are you talking about?”, said Shadow. “You knew what was for breakfast because you were reading Suzie’s mind,” he said. “What!?”, said a confused Shadow. “You read her mind,” he repeated. “I’m tired,” said Shadow. “Can we stop for the day?” she asked.”Yes, we have practiced for four hours. I think you have had enough for the day. I want you to pay attention when you start to hear voices in your head that aren’t yours. When that happens, you are mind-reading,” said Captain Cattitude. “Ok, I will pay attention to that. Goodbye. See you tomorrow,” said Shadow.

Shadow woke up early again and was even more excited about her training than yesterday.  “Phoebe, just waking up, looked over at her friend from her bed and said, “What are you learning today?”  “I don’t know but it should be exhilarating,” said Shadow.  “Look at what I learned yesterday,” she continued. Shadow placed her left paw on her head and started to recite Mafdet with all her mind and heart.  She began to rise up into the air.  “Wow, Wow,” was all Phoebe could say.  Shadow brought herself down by performing the same steps but thinking down with all her heart and mind. “Whoa,” said Phoebe to herself.  “Come on let’s go eat breakfast.  I hear Captain Cattitude is making meals for the day,” said Shadow as she pulled Phoebe out of her bed. 

The two raced to the dining room table.  On the table was mixed fruit, boxes of cereal, coffee for the adults, orange juice and milk.  Shadow picked Lucky Stars, cereal with marshmallows shaped like stars Phoebe elected to just have milk and juice.  She was worried she would get fat eating the sugar-loaded cereal.  Everyone else came to the table and began to eat.  Shadow finished first.  “Are we beginning our training after breakfast,” she asked Captain Cattitude.  “Yes, we have a long day ahead of us.  This next power is going to be hard to learn,” he replied Shadow waited impatiently as everyone finished their breakfast Her back paws were twitching up and down as she sat in her chair.

“Okay Shadow, let’s go,” said Captain Cattitude as he stood up and began to make his way to his room.  Shadow quickly came up behind him, her tail swaying back in forth in anticipation of what was to come. As they entered his room, Captain Cattitude said, “Have a seat.  I need to explain the importance of this next power and how to use it only for good.” “The next power is mind reading.  It is very important that you don’t abuse this power.  In the wrong hands, this could be very damaging to someone.  Please only use it when it is necessary.”  “Okay, I will,” said Shadow, a little nervous now about this new power. “Okay, let’s begin,” said Captain Cattitude.  Stand up and wiggle your tail back and forth while wiggling your ears and recite Bastet over and over.  Concentrate on me and focus your mind on my mind.  Shadow tried but failed.  We will do this all day until you get it.  Shadow practiced all day and still couldn’t muster the power.  She began to get frustrated. “Well, it’s five o’clock.  I think we have done enough for today.  Tomorrow we try again,” he said.  “Why am I not getting it,” asked Shadow. “As I told you it’s a hard power to master. We’ll practice it tomorrow.  Now let’s go eat dinner.  I still need to prepare it,” he said.  With that, both of them headed toward the kitchen…. 

“How’d it go with Shadow’s training today,” asked Peter as Captain Cattitude and Shadow entered the kitchen.  It was dinner time.  Baudelaire had prepared meatloaf, baked potatoes, and asparagus.  Phoebe had set the dinnerware at the dining room table.  “Yes, how did it go?” asked Phoebe to no one in particular.  “Training was rough but Shadow got the hang of it by the end of our training.  She can now levitate,”  “Great”, said Suzie sarcastically.  “Come everyone let’s eat dinner before it gets cold,” said Baudelaire.  “I’m starved,” said Shadow as she took her seat at the dining room table. “Yes, that will happen when you are in training.  You are expending a lot of mental energy,” said Captain Cattitude. “What did you do all day Phoebe?” said Shadow.  “I was learning how to use Photoshop.  It is on our computers.  It’s a powerful image manipulator.  You can use it to make videos also, replied an excited Phoebe. “You’ll have to show me the video part.  I didn’t know it could do that,” replied Shadow.  “Enough chatter.  Let’s eat,” said Baudelaire. At that, everyone dug in and ate.  When everyone was finished, Phoebe and shadow cleared the dishes and washed them.  Captain Cattitude came up from behind the girls as they were washing the dishes and announced, “Time for your girls to go to bed.  Shadow you have a long, hard day ahead of you tomorrow. “You’ll need your rest.  As the girls headed to bed, Captain Cattitude called out to them, “Goodnight girls…”