Part I: Six Packages, Six Journeys, One Big Wooden Door

36 37 The Chosen: Battle with a Cerberosian Prince Journey to Sagarmatha They were too flummoxed by the food to even notice Fang push by them. They all stood there for a good couple of minutes. “What is all of this?” Pippa asked. “Oh, I know. This is chicken choila. This one is spicy potato salad. This is the Nepali momo. Beef pea curry, gwarmari…” Ana kept listing the names of most of the foods that were in front of them and describing what was in each one. They would come to realize that Ana was smarter than her demeanor and age made her seem. Once everyone had negotiated individually what they were willing to try out (and what they weren’t), they sat down and had dinner. “So, what’s the deal with everyone?” TJ asked. With the silverware clanging on the plates, and the sound of music coming from the lobby and the courtyard area, the silence in the room wasn’t necessarily awkward. “What do you mean?” Ethan replied. “I mean, who are you guys? Like, why are you all here?” “Oh… Well, I received a package. Inside the package was a passport and credit card with my information. A note in the package said something about destiny. I saw an exotic location. I had never been. And here I am!” Ethan said. “So, you all got a package?” “Yeah…” “With a Watch, a passport, and a credit card?” “Yeah, mate, we’re all in the same boat,” Ethan confirmed. “Huh…” TJ let out a breath of air as he continued to process everything. He had so many more questions he wanted to ask. They continued having dinner. They didn’t know each other, so no conversations were going on at the table. Occasionally they would ask one another to pass a cup, a drink, or a utensil. But that was it. There were also moments where Ana would ask a random question or give a did-youknow fact with great enthusiasm about Kathmandu that no one else knew. Once they were done eating, they all went back to their rooms to get ready. It was an opportunity to bring anything they thought they might need. Having no additional information apart from the departure time still, no one knew what to expect. It was a cool Nepalese evening, around 10 degrees Celsius, so everyone was dressed warmly as they made their way to the shuttle, everyone except Ethan. Their chauffer was standing outside, waiting for them by the hotel entrance. “Good evening, my name is Dhanraj. I will be your driver for the duration of your stay in Kathmandu. Before you enter the vehicle, I have been instructed to tell you to make sure you have your Watches on at all times from this point onward. Thank you.” “Thanks, Dhanraj,” Ana said. Everyone else followed suit, acknowledging and thanking Dhanraj as they got into the shuttle. “Sorry, everyone, I didn’t think we’d be needin’ ’em,” said Ethan as he ran back up the stairs to collect his Watch. Everyone else had their Watch on them. In fact, they all chose to take everything with them, leaving only a few items of unimportance in their rooms.