The Riches of Power

Fortune Cookies

POV Charles

The rest of the night had gone undisturbed and when the early morning light had made it through the old lace curtains we rushed out of the town. We followed the road that Elaina promised would lead to a city, but she said it wasn't close. We ended up having to camp out for five nights and travel during the day. We were not disturbed by anybody or anything in this trek. It was late afternoon and I couldn't believe my ears when I began to hear the busy sounds of city traffic. It was distant, but it was a sign that I would be able to sit down in an actual chair and eat actual food. We have been forced to forage for questionable berries and kill some squirrels,luckily Ryder knew a little bit about skinning animals. We were beginning to babble about what we would do, what restaurant we should go to.

"but , I'm not in the mood for mexican food!" Karen whined. I was beginning to notice that Karen was either serious or childish, more childish than serious.

"Ok, so you don't want mexican food, italian food, or fast food. Where do you want to eat." I questioned. She paused and looked up at the sky, placing her finger on her lip in the stereotypical thinking pose.

"Ummm, I'm in the mood for sesame seed chicken." She answered with a big smile.

"I can eat chinese food" Trinity chimed in. Most agreed with few grumbles mixed in, but it had been decided. We had quickened in our anticipation to fill our stomachs. It wasn't long before we were walking on a sidewalk while passing ordinary people giving us funny looks. We definitely didn't blend in with our exotic colored hair, eyes, and clothing. We walked awkwardly down the sidewalks searching for any building resembling a chinese restaurant. We came across a sign that had picture of a chinese designed cat with mandarin characters underneath it. We entered the building while an older woman was exiting. She looked us up and down with beady eyes through metal spectacles in disbelief and disapproval as she wobbled out into the city, relying on her cane for support.

We ignored the look as we entered the restaurant, the aroma was intoxicating. Glancing into the restaurant the sides of the restaurant were lined with booths, while tables and chairs covered the main floor in the back were five long counters lined with platters of steaming food. My mouth watered as I realized we had found a buffet.

It was a small asian man who greeted us with wary eyes. His eyes scanned our group before asking how many of us there were. He seated us and returned to his duties being sure to glance at us ever so often. Then an asian woman with a thick accent greeted us with a warm smile, and asked what we wanted to drink. After we placed our orders we stormed the buffet tables, each piling mountains onto our plates before sitting down and gorging our faces. Karen, Calvin, and I had snatched a pair of chopsticks which frustrated the others as they attempted to eat with them.

I laughed as I watched Pieper twiddle the pointed sticks in her hands, and when Riley had finally picked up a cluster of noodles, she was ecstatic at her new ability. We had laughed and talked for at least an hour before we even had the thought of leaving.

POV Riley

I was on my fourth plate of food and I still had some room left for dessert, I glanced back at the steaming counters and made my way over filling my last plate with jello, pudding, and a cup of chocolate ice cream and added a bit of sprinkles. We were now all eating our desserts and leaned back lazily in our chairs, our stomachs full and our hunger finally contained after the long journey of meager meals. I was sure that I couldn't eat one more bite of anything, but I determined I was wrong when the waitress had spilled a pile of fortune cookies in the center of the table and slipped the bill beside it. Elaina quickly snatched the check and added a a few green bills and handed it back to the waitress before she had a chance to leave.