Waste Not, Want Not Chapter XXII

Paul had listened intently to El Indio’s narrative. Now he spoke up. “El Indio, this is a fantastic story and frankly, I cannot believe any of this. It sounds like some kind of superstitious mythology. These things can’t be real.”
“The minds of modern people are closed to many of things that ancient peoples have known and learned about for centuries. Just because it is not a part of your known world doesn’t mean it isn’t true,” El Indio replied.
“You mentioned you had ‘powers.‘ What kind of powers do you have?” asked Paul.
“This place here, and especially the cavern, is a place of power for me. It is part of the source of my powers,” said El Indio.
“Just what kind of ‘powers’ are you talking about.”
“I have powers you might call magical. I have powers of healing and knowledge of ancient medicines made from plants and minerals. I help treat the people here when they are sick and they help me with gifts of food and clothing.”
“Yes, I know, of course, that you are a curandero,” said Paul. “You saved my life.”
“I have other powers as well. I can see reality and beyond reality. Most men only see a little of what goes on around them. I can leave my body and travel in an unlimited manner, as my spirit self, with no form at all and sometimes in the form of a crow or other animals,” El Indio said. “And that is not all, I can do more. I will tell you more later. You have enough to digest I think.”
“Don’t think I am so easily fooled, or frightened away” said Paul. “I still intend in exploring the cavern.”
“You should stay out of there, I warn you it will be a mistake to go in there. I must go now, we will talk more tomorrow.”
With that El Indio left Paul sitting at the table.
Paul had a drink and he sat for a while just staring at the fireplace.
“That was some wild story he told me. Does he take me for a fool”
Paul was almost afraid to go to bed, fearing what kind of dream he might have tonight. His sleep was a sound one and he awoke fully refreshed.
“Man, I’m glad to get a good night’s sleep,” he thought.
He made some coffee and fixed some breakfast and watched the news on TV as he awaited Conrad’s arrival.
It wasn’t long till he heard a truck pull up outside. He was really glad to see Conrad’s friendly but slightly concerned face.
“Hey, it’s sure good to see you!” said Paul.
“Good morning Mr. Hewlett. I’m glad to be here again.”
“Have you had breakfast? I can whip some up real quick“ said Paul.
“No thanks, I stopped at a diner before I pulled out of Kingsville this morning but I would like a cup of coffee.”
“No problem,” said Paul as he put on another pot of Java.
“Any problems so far?” asked Conrad.
“Not really but there have been some strange things going on and I hardly know where to start!”
Paul then related to Conrad all that had transpired on this trip, from the weird dream to the strange tale related by El Indio. He also told him about finding the cavern and the odd events about how he found it, how he opened it and then how he couldn’t open it.
“What do you make of all this?” asked Conrad.
“I wish I could understand any of it but I don’t! It is just so weird I am still puzzling over it all!” said Paul.