"It all started that first day you snuck out to the forest," Maddy had led Doug into the forest where they were both sitting on a fallen log. "Even thought you didn't notice, I being a stealthy ten year old, followed you." Socarro was in the form of a black cat, sleeping on Maddy's lap. "You wandered around a bit and eventually I lost you. I got scared and ran. I tried to find a way out but I just ended up deeper into this place. I went past the boarder that pure blood humans could walk in. I was crying so much I didn't notice the panther until it growled at me. I froze and started backing away but it charged me. I screamed and out of nowhere a great black lion collided with the oncoming panther. The panther stared at the lion and flicked its tail. The lion bowed its head. That's when I knew these were not normal animals. The panther took a look at me and bowed to me. I had no idea what to do. Then the lion's mouth opened and I heard a voice. It told me to bow back and so I did. The panther turned and walked away. I thought I had heard the voice out loud but it was the lion. It spoke into my mind. Like what Socarro and I did for you. You were the only ones who heard us. To anyone else it would have been bird noises." Maddy paused to move Socarro so that she could stroke his back, he purred in agreement to her actions. "When the panther had gone the lion came up to me and told me to get on his back. For some reason I trusted those different colored eyes I climbed on and he started to run. He took me the the edge of the forest and he told me not to tell anyone. So I never did." Maddy paused. "Any questions so far?" She asked Doug.

"Yes. What's a pure blood human?" Asked Doug, looking lost.

"Oh! It's a human who doesn't have the ability to learn to shift."

"OK. Am I pure blood?" Doug wondered out loud.

"No dummy. Why would we ask you if you wanted to learn how if we knew you couldn't?" Maddy sighed. "Any more questions?"

"No… not yet." Doug shook his head.

"Okay. Good." Maddy repositioned herself. "So the day after my first little adventure in the forest Mom took you to town to see that movie and to shop. I knew you two would be gone all day so as soon as you left I headed to the forest. I took a backpack and filled it with food and water since I didn't plan on returning for snacks. I took a note book and some colored pencils. I started at the place I had followed you into. I was expecting to walk for a while but after a few minutes I saw the panther. It bowed and I bowed back. I heard a girl's voice tell me to get on the panthers back, so I did. The panther ran through the forest and took me deeper than I think any one's been for a while. When it started to slow down I looked around and saw the black lion. The panther stopped and I got off and bowed. The lion nodded approvingly and walked over to me. The lion shifted into a ten year old Socarro." Socarro's ears flicked at the sound of his name and he looked up at Maddy. "I was so shocked I went over and poked Socarro's face and arms. I looked at his eyes and they were the same different colored eyes from the lion, one blue and one green. I heard some crunching and looked behind me to see that instead of the great cat that had carried me, there was a girl with long silky black hair that framed her lean body. Her grey eyes seemed friendly and caring. She was the first to speak. She told me her name was Dakota Renee Waters. She came over and hugged me. I was still amazed that instead of the two great cats there were now two kids my age. The boy stepped forward and smiled a huge silly smile. He told me his name was Socarro Esher. He gave be a great big bear hug and told me they wouldn't hurt me. They told me how special I was. Me, Madeline J. Peters, the little kid who always had her nose in a book was now about to get the greatest thing on earth: The ability to shift. I said yes as soon as they asked me. That was all for that day. This time, however, I was escorted back by a Socarro as a wolf and Dakota as black tiger with grey stripes. I got home and slept for the rest of the day. I only came down for dinner." Maddy paused and looked at Doug who shook his head.

"No questions yet." He said.

"Okay then. The next morning I woke up with a black cat at the foot of my bed. I sat up and the cat opened its mouth. I heard Socarro's voice in my head. It told me that they would start teaching me how to shift tomorrow. That day was the longest day ever. I was so antsy through ma's home schooling lessons. Back in my room Socarro told me what was going to happen and what to bring. I pre-packed my bags and Socarro told me stories of the forest until I fell asleep. The next day I was already to go but mom changed when she was going to visit Gran so we had school early instead of late in the evening. So I didn't get to go to the forest. After lessons you went out to play and I snuck past you. I got to the forest and was met by an owl Socarro and was told the hour was too late. I should return the next day. So I did. That day I was taken into the forest by a panther Dakota again. She said she would teach me the basics of controlling my appearance. So that was how I began learning how to shift." Maddy stood up and Socarro shifted from a cat back to his human form.

"We are going to take you to meet Dakota." Socarro announced happily. He stretched and then shifted into the great black lion. Maddy shifted into a brown tiger with darker brown stripes. "You're riding on me by the way." Socarro added.

"See ya there!" Maddy said taking off, not waiting for Doug and Socarro. As soon as Doug was on, Socarro dashed after Maddy.