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

48 49 The Chosen: Battle with a Cerberosian Prince Journey to Sagarmatha “OK, that’s a sign that it’s time to go to bed,” Pippa affirmed. Some of them waited for the elevator, while others took the stairs. “Goodnight, Pippa. Goodnight, TJ. Goodnight, Ethan. Goodnight, Tumi.” “Goodnight, Ana,” they all said together. As TJ walked to his room, he kept thinking about those words: “We have been instructed.” When he got to his room, he took out everything he had received throughout the trip and tried to find something that could provide some insight. The Watch, the credit card, the passport, boarding passes, hotel receipts—anything to shed some light. He didn’t know what he was looking for. He didn’t find anything. We’ll find out soon enough, I guess. Throwing himself on the bed, in part frustration, part exhaustion, he tried to go to bed. If sleeping through the entire evening was a challenge back home, what more it would be in an unfamiliar environment. He tossed and turned. He opened his eyes. He knew he wouldn’t be getting any sleep. He decided to go up to the roof. He had never seen the night sky look so beautiful. So much detail, contrast, depth, color. The innumerable stars were shining bright, with the sparkle of each individual star, like a multicarat diamond floating in the sky. The backdrop: a deep blue, with shades of purple, violet, a touch of light blue, and a subtle hint of black. One could hardly notice the darkness of night. For the first time he appreciated the vastness of the galaxy, the enormity of the universe. So far-reaching, so continuous. Seemingly infinite. Simply exquisite. “Not a bad way to spend an interrupted night of sleep,” he said as he lay on the roof of the lodge. Nature was never TJ’s “thing.” Whenever some of his friends would invite him to go hiking, he would always pass. Living close to LA, he knew there were many mountains that were a short drive away. But he was never into that. Even going to the beach. It was fun, but the ocean was just a whole lotta water. It just wasn’t his “thing.” This experience, though, was a little life changing. It made him feel centered, calm. The only other time he would feel like this was when he was writing.