Secret passage way

The lagoon's exact depth was unknown.

Mist drifted upward like soft breath from the cavern’s throat, and warm, damp air clung to their skin. The stone walls wept slowly, glistening with sheets of mineral-rich water that painted them like ancient tapestries. It frizzed Charlene’s hair mercilessly. She caught her reflection in a smooth ripple of obsidian water and groaned inwardly. If only I had my cell phone, she thought. I could check my hair. She tried to smooth down her edges, hoping Issa didn’t notice her stealthy grooming.

They walked slowly along the slick stone, boots squishing softly with each step. The cave opened wider the deeper they went, the lagoon stretching endlessly before them like some subterranean sea. Charlene tilted her head. “This isn't a lagoon… It’s a whole underground lake.”

Issa paused beside her, glancing around in awe. “It’s beautiful… but eerie. Like the lake’s holding its breath, waiting for something.”

She smiled faintly and ran her fingers along the wall. “Feel this.” She grabbed his hand without thinking, pressing his palm flat against the stone. ReNew squealed quietly behind them, but Charlene didn’t hear her—too absorbed in the shimmering texture of the wall. Thin water ran over both their hands.

“What is this?” Issa asked, his voice almost reverent.

“It’s called a flowstone,” she replied softly. “The water leaves behind calcium deposits over centuries. It forms these frozen-waterfall patterns… like time itself is painted on the walls.”

Issa rubbed the stone slowly, tracing the smooth lines with his fingertips. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said, then turned to her. “You’re really smart, Charlene.” He smiled, and something behind his eyes flickered.

Her cheeks heated up. She looked away, suddenly too aware of how close they were.

The water trickled around them, flowing down into the dark lake. Issa stepped forward and peered into the water. “How deep do you think it goes?”

Charlene blinked, and her eyes shimmered with power as she stared into the depths. “Hundreds of feet, maybe more. I can see tunnels down there. Wanna see where they go?”

Issa hesitated, the excitement in her voice tugging at him—but the thought of swimming made his stomach knot. “I, uh… I can’t swim.”

She turned to him, gentle and nonjudgmental. “That’s okay. I can fix that. First…” She blinked again, and swimming fans appeared on both their feet.

Issa looked down, one brow raised. “They’re… a little silly-looking.”

“I got the idea from Earth,” she said with a playful shrug.

He chuckled. “We can’t swim in these clothes though. They're bulky and awkward—”

Charlene snapped her fingers, and suddenly they were both dressed in sleek scuba suits. His eyes widened in surprise.

“Issa,” she said through a grin, “you’re kinda cute when you’re confused.”

He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’ll have to show me where you come up with all these ideas. What’s this thing?” He picked up the snorkel like it was some alien artifact.

“That’s a snorkel. You breathe through it when your face is underwater. I’ll show you,” she said, stepping toward the edge. “But it’s way too dark. We need light.”

Issa nodded and touched his mark. Instantly, the walls of the cavern lit up with glowing crystals, casting soft, colorful light across the entire lagoon.

Charlene’s eyes widened. “That’s so much better…”

“My twin sisters used to love these things,” Issa said fondly. “Betsy and Baxtsy. I should bring them here sometime.”

He paused, then smirked. “Actually… maybe not. They’d probably try to bottle the glow and sell it.”

Charlene giggled and pinched her nose. “Watch me!” she called out, jumping into the lagoon with a clean splash. She surfaced, water glistening on her skin. “Come on! You can do it.”

Issa hesitated at the edge, his pulse racing—not just from nerves, but from the way she smiled up at him, playful and fearless.

“You don’t have to jump like me,” she said, softer now. “Just slide in.”

“I… I don’t wanna look dumb,” he muttered.

“You won’t,” she said gently. She blinked, whispering, “Float.”

Something in her voice calmed him. He slid into the water, and to his amazement, he stayed afloat. He laughed. “I’m doing it! Okay… okay, this is kinda fun.”

She glided toward him, graceful like a river spirit, and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I’ll teach you.”

Under her guidance, he picked up the basics quickly—breathing, treading water, even a sloppy backstroke that made her laugh and clap her hands. Every time their hands touched, something electric pulsed between them, subtle but growing. ReNew stood at the water’s edge, watching, frowning slightly. She crossed her arms, chewing on her bottom lip.

“Let’s explore the tunnels now?” Charlene asked.

“Are we supposed to go off by ourselves?” Issa looked at her, voice unsure. “Wouldn’t your dad freak?”

Charlene grinned mischievously. “Then let’s ask him.”

She turned toward the shadows. “Daaaad! Uncle Idris!”

Suddenly—SPLASH! “Cannonball!”

Seth and Idris crashed into the pool, tidal waves surging outward. Issa, reacting without thought, swam in front of Charlene, shielding her from the brunt of the wave.

Seth surfaced with a grin. “Nice save, young man.”

Issa smiled, water dripping from his hair.

Charlene rolled her eyes. “Really, Dad?”

“I was gonna come find you anyway,” she said. “There are tunnels under the lake. Wanna check them out?”

Before Seth could answer, Idris popped up between them with a huge grin. “Told you!”

“AH! Idris!” Charlene squealed. Everyone splashed him.

Seth laughed, shaking his head. “You told me what?”

“That the whirlpool we found years ago had tunnels under it! I knew it led somewhere!”

“You almost died playing near that thing, and now you want to go back?”

Charlene swam up between them. “Dad… come on. You’re stronger now. We’re all stronger.”

Idris chimed in. “Pleaseee?”

Seth sighed dramatically. “You two…”