Surprising Breaths (Story Version)

Belac the shark is swimming around in the ocean, something that he often does for fun, though he always does it in secret. The reason is that he’s not a regular shark. Unbeknownst to anyone else, he is actually a wereshark. He’s normally a lizard named Caleb, but he can freely change into his shark form anytime he’s in the water. He practically has to anyway, since he can’t hold his breath for that long. As for why he wants to keep his ability a secret, he’s terrified of what could happen to him if his ability became known. In his mind, he saw himself being experimented on in secret government facilities for the rest of his life. Such a mental image sends a shiver down his spine, so he does his best to make sure no one else knows.

Anyways, as Belac is having his enjoyable little oceanic excursion when he notices something unusual. Or rather…someone. He wasn’t expecting to see someone else out here in the open ocean. Cautious and curious, Belac swims a bit closer to the mystery person, making sure to keep out of sight. This is when he discovers what species the mystery person is, and it makes Belac even more curious: the mystery person is a wolf! “Wait,” Belac thinks to himself, “What’s a wolf doing all the way out here?” Belac swims a bit closer, concealing himself behind a large rock. Thanks to his new hiding spot, as well as his enhanced underwater vision in his shark form, Belac could make out more details about the wolf. For one, Belac could tell the wolf was a guy, given that his lack of a shirt showed a flat chest. Two, he was only wearing a pair of cargo shorts. Third, and most interestingly, the wolf’s cheeks weren’t puffed in the slightest, nor did Belac notice any bubbles leaving the wolf’s mouth or nose. Wow, thought Belac, impressed by the wolf, This guy must be REALLY damn good at holding his breath. He could probably teach me a thing or two. Well, if I didn’t have this ability, anyway. Belac continued observing the wolf for a few moments as he swam around doing nothing in particular. It didn’t take long for Belac’s curiosity to reach a breaking point. Okay, I REALLY want to know what’s up with this wolf. Belac gave himself a good slap on the face to psyche himself up. Okay, Belac, you can do this. Just take it nice and slow. Give him a nice, friendly greeting. Don’t scare him. You don’t want him to lose his air. 

Cautiously, Belac floated out from his hiding spot, and greeted the wolf. “Hi there,” Belac said to the wolf, who turned around and locked eyes with Belac. In an instant, the wolf’s eyes filled with fright, and Belac was pretty sure his shark form was the reason. “Don’t worry. I’m friendly. I would never hurt a soul. I promise you that.” Much to Belac’s surprise, the wolf responds by taking a deep breath and letting out a relieved sigh, then saying “Ok, I believe you.” Belac is completely taken aback by what just happened. Did…that wolf just breathe in water and speak like we were on the surface, Belac thinks to himself. I have to be imagining that, right? He swiftly gets his answer with the wolf’s next words. “So, u-um…hi.” Nope, I didn’t imagine that. This wolf is speaking and breathing underwater like it’s nothing. Now I REALLY, REALLY have to know.” Belac clears his throat and asks the obvious question of the wolf. “How are you breathing underwater? I don’t see any gills on you.” “Well…that's because I don’t have any gills.” “No, you must have gills somewhere. You’d be drowning otherwise.” “But, I don’t…” Belac’s eyes then light up with revelation. “Oh, of course! Your gills must be under your fur somewhere! That’s why I can’t see them!” “Dude, I’m being serious. I don’t have any gills. Feel free to check if you want. Rub your hands all over me; you won't find any gills.” “You’re okay with me feeling my hands all over you?” “Normally no, but I’ll make an exception for this, just so you’ll stop asking me about my supposed gills.” “Very well, then.” Belac floated over to the wolf and rubbed his hands through the wolf’s fur. First he checked the wolf’s neck, parting the fur to reveal the skin. No gills there. Then he checked the wolf’s torso. No gills there either. And with that, Belac was out of places to check, leaving him completely confused. “You…you actually don’t have any gills!” “See I told you.” “Wait a minute, how the hell are you breathing underwater then?” “Well, as far as I’ve been able to figure out, my lungs are able to process the oxygen that’s in water just as well as they can for air.” “How?” Shrugging his shoulders, the wolf dismissively says, “I dunno.” “You…don’t know?” “Nope. And I stopped trying to figure it out years ago, and have just learned to appreciate my ability for what it is.” The wolf’s words resonated with Belac; he too understood that sort of mindset. “You know what? I get what you mean, wolf guy.” “It’s Eric. And you do?” “Belac. And yeah I do. I take it you like to keep this ability a secret?” “Definitely.” “Well, I actually have a secret of my own, and…I think I can trust you with it, just as long as you promise not to tell anyone else.” “I was gonna ask you to do the same with my ability.” “I promise not to tell anyone.” “Thank you.” “You’re welcome. So as for my secret, I’m not a regular shark. I’m actually a wereshark.” “What does that mean?” “I mean that I’m not a shark normally. I’m normally a lizard.” “Is it something you can control?” “Oh yeah. I have full control over it. So long as I’m in water, I can turn into a shark whenever. And just like you, I don’t know why I have this ability, but I’ve learned to accept and enjoy it for what it is.” “Then I guess we’re alike in that way.” “Looks like it. Oh, as a side note, when I’m in my shark form, my name is Belac. When I’m a lizard, my name is Caleb.” “Why the different names?” “It’s just a precaution. Helps me keep my secret a bit easier.” “Gotcha. Well, it was nice meeting you, Belac. I wasn’t expecting to meet someone else out here, let alone someone else with a similar secret.” “You took the words right out of my mouth. Here’s hoping we meet again someday.” “Likewise.” With that, the two shake hands and go their separate ways. Perhaps one day, they may meet again.