He was in the water waiting for me.
"I found a passageway. It is in the center of the lake." He nodded.
"Let us go and check it out." He yelled over the sound of the waterfall.
"Be careful. The current flows close to the center of the lake."
"All right." I took a lungful of air.
We descended together. He would tap my shoulder when he needed air. I would give him some.
We moved slowly towards the center of the lake whenever I felt the current I would move Paddy away from it.
We finally reached the center. I gave him some more air then I went close to the opening. The water was warmer in the passageway.
Paddy and I held each other's hand as we followed the passageway. It went straight down for about fifty feet then sloped East.
Every few minutes I would give him a mouthful of air. When I ran out of air he shifted into an octopus. It was a long way with a lot of twists and turns.
We saw a glow at the end of the passageway. It was sunlight. We moved a little faster towards the light. We emerged into a lake that was surrounded by what looked like mountains. It was very beautiful.
All the trees were different colours. We swam to the shore.
"Stay here. I am going to see where we are."
"All right."
He shifted into an albatross and flew up over the mountains. He was back a short time later.
"We travel quite a distance. Home is to the West of us. Now do you want to go back the way we came or run across the land?"
"I think it would be better if we went back the way we came. The Council would be waiting for us."
"You are right."
He took a couple of deep breaths then dove into the water. I followed. We swam fast to the opening then through the passage only stopping to give Paddy some air.
When we emerged in the underground lake to find Shaun and Elder Camarillo waiting for us.
Paddy was out first then wrapped his arms around me. He whispered in my ear. "Ready?" I nodded.
He was able to make me shift faster this time then the first time.
Shaun and Elder Camarillo stood there gaping. Paddy smiled then shifted. We flew back up to where my clothes were. They followed a few minutes later.
We swam back up to Councilwoman Cleo's bathing pool. She was pacing anxiously.
"Thank the Gods. Are you all right?"
"Yes Madam we are." I said. Paddy crawled into his clothes then shifted. Shaun and the Elder were right behind us. They crawled into their clothes too then shifted.
"I am sorry Paddy. I started to worry when you did not return in a day."
"I understand." He said shyly.
We left their chamber.
Shaun and Elder Camarillo stayed with us to our quarters.
"What happened Son?" Shaun asked worriedly.
"I was caught in a current. I was banged up pretty good. Kylie was able to catch me and take me out of the water." He gave me a hug and kiss.
"Thank you."
"Anytime." I smiled.
"You must have been out for a long time?" Paddy looked at me. "Yes he was. Almost an entire day."
"It took you that long to heal?" Shaun was very worried.
"Yes. It is very strong current. Once it catches you. You are rendered helpless."
"Then how did Kylie catch you?" Paddy shrugged his shoulders.
"I was only able to catch him when the current pushed Paddy into my arms. Then it disappeared." They stared at me in disbelief.
"That is right. There was no current when we first went into the lake then it was there." Paddy said.
"Well we have to warn the Council if they ever have to use the underwater passageway."
"I am more curious as to how you were able to make Kylie shift?" Elder Camarillo wondered.
"For one I did not have to bite her just hold her." Paddy answered.
"Now you have me curious Son. I wonder if I can do it too."
"There is only one way to find out. Try it."
Shaun held my hands Paddy talked him through it. He kept his eyes closed concentrating on shifting me. I was not too sure what he was turning me into. My skin was green and scaly with black fur.
"Dad just think of one animal." Paddy whispered.
He nodded.
The green skin and scales were gone then more black fur.
I had my eyes closed. The pain was becoming unbearable. I collapsed onto the floor. I was a bear.
"Dad you did it."
"Yes I did. That was hard work." Shaun was wiping the sweat off his face with his sleeve.
"It certainly is. Change her back. Its easier changing her back."
"Good." Shaun held my paws and changed me back.
"Fantastic." Shaun was very excited. "Wait until I tell your mother."
"I need to feed." They laughed until my eyes turned red.
"Let us go." Paddy wrapped me up in a blanket. I went into our bedroom and dressed when I came back out. Shaun and Elder Camarillo were gone.
Paddy chuckled. "I do not think they took you seriously until your eyes changed."
I laughed. "You know I am thirsty when you start to smell good." He nodded.
"Let us go and eat."
I nodded.
