Roach Magic
an excerpt

Julie was feeding the pigs when a cockroach ruined her life. She was standing in the barn, breathing in the musty odor of the animals. Her father owned an oxen to help with the farm work, and there was an empty stable for the stabling of messenger's horses when they came to town. The messengers themselves would never stay with a humble farmer, of course. They would be housed with one of the richer families of the village. A cow and the pigs rounded out the animals. They were lucky, really, to be able to afford so many beasts. There had been years when being able to breed pigs was the only thing that kept the family going. That did not, in Julie's mind, make the smell any better.

She poured the slop into the troth and turned to leave. Usually, the pigs were left to roam free, but these were going to be sold soon, and father wanted them close and well-fed. She stepped towards the door when something made her look down. A cockroach was right by her foot. She quickly stomped down, but the cockroach was faster, and skittered sideways, still looking at her.
"Hey! Is that any way to treat your familiar?" An outraged voice was screaming at her. She looked around, but there was no one else in the shed.
"Down here, simpleton," the voice said in tones of mock patience. Julie looked down at the cockroach. "That's right, it's me, the roach. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't try that stomping trick again."
The smell of the pigs must be making her head funny. There was no way a cockroach was talking to her. Savagely, she stomped down on the bug. It skittered aside again, and Julie felt a savage pain in her head. She sank to her knees, eyes closed. "What was that?"
"I told you not to do that again," said the cockroach in a petulant tone. "You caught one of my antenna that time. Don't worry, it will heal."
"But," gasped Julie as another wave of pain washed over her head.
"Were you not listening? Of all the humans in the world, I have to be bonded to this one." Julie thought that if she could see the insect's eyes, they would be rolling. "I already told you, I'm your familiar. What happens to you, happens to me, and vice versa. So, I would strongly suggest that you quit trying to stomp on me. I may not be happy being stuck with you, but that doesn't mean I want you dead. There is that little matter of my own survival, too. Now, I quite enjoy the days when there is slop for the pigs, so if you will excuse me, I will be off. Don't worry, I'll be back later." The cockroach skittered off towards the pigs.
Julie stared, then shook her head. She picked up her bucked and walked briskly out of the shed. Some fresh air and sensible work, that was what she needed.