Ep 4 - An Unexpected Conversation
Flambeau River State Forest, Wisconsin, October 24, 2014
<Here’s your new GODYSSEY episode. After the show, Naran trailed off and wandered between the cabins of the Didelian camp. Read the previous chapters: Table of Contents >
The white cat meows and stares at me from the shadows between the cabins. We are all standing completely still: me, the main performer of the show cloaked in his dark cape, and the cat.
A few newspaper headlines flash through my head:
Reporter for Times Magazine Fired After Approaching Didelian
Immigrant Deported from the USA After Trespassing on Didelian Premises
Texan Receives Three-Month Sentence for Walking into Didelian Camp
Reports like this are common. Governments worldwide are helping the Didelians to protect their privacy, and jail sentences are therefore not unusual. The Didelian mystery will not be unraveled, ever, but people keep trying.
The severity of my situation slowly dawns on me, and dark pessimism holds me in its grasp. My fear increases every second. I did something very irrational and very dangerous. Perhaps the next newspaper headline will be about me…
The eyes of the main performer of the show are on me, and he doesn’t blink. It feels as if he’s gazing straight through me. I get the feeling that he knows my fears and insecurities, and this makes me feel naked and uncomfortable. The white cat drapes itself around the man’s feet, and he picks it up. Neither of them lets go of my eyes for even a second. He massages the cat, and the animal purrs softly with satisfaction.
I give the cat a dirty glare as if to say: Traitor! You lured me into this! In response, the animal hisses. Other than this staring contest, nothing happens. Hesitantly, I look at the man. He shows no sign of interaction. There are no smiles, no frowns, no words, and not even hand gestures. What is going on?
We silently face each other for what feels like forever. I turn from an awkward smile to an insecure grin and end with a question mark. My mind is overshadowed by continuous internal turmoil. Perhaps I should run; I might be able to still get away with this… Slowly, I turn, but before I can move away, the man speaks again.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he says. His voice is deep, and his tone is neither inviting nor hostile.
“I know…” I say timidly. “I have no idea why I followed your cat.”
He inspects me from top to bottom.
“Be ready on Monday,” he says. “You will pack a bag. Bring enough clothes for three months. We will pick you up at your house. Prepare for extreme cold but also for milder weather. Do not speak with a single soul about this, or the consequences will be severe. And I mean nobody, not even family or best friends. Use this as an excuse: You booked a trip. You are going to a retreat center in Hawaii for three months, and phones are not allowed. Practice the story; it has to sound credible.”
I don’t fully understand what is going on.
“You’re sending someone to come get me? Why? As a punishment?” I’m very confused.
“We are inviting you. You will stay with us for three months.”
I fall silent. I am invited? To stay with the Didelians? Three months?
“Any questions?” he asks while he squints his eyes.
“Eh… I have a job. It starts in February.”
“We will make sure you get back in time.”
“And my dog?”
“Bring her. I’m sure your dog and my Monstry will get along fine.” The man now sounds mildly entertained, and I imagine seeing a faint hint of amusement in his cat’s eyes. Are they playing a game with me?
“Monday morning, at six o’clock, stand in front of your house. Be ready, Didelians don’t wait.” With these words, the main performer turns around and disappears between the shadows of the cabins. For a moment I stand in utter confusion. Is this really happening? Am I intoxicated? Brainwashed? Hallucinating?
Then I realize I’m standing in the Didelian camp, a place where I do not want to be seen by anyone else. Quickly I turn around and sprint as fast as I can toward the line of people. When I arrive, I jump right in the middle and pretend nothing has happened. I see a few intrigued faces around me.
I never stepped out of this line. I did not speak to the leading performer of the show. He definitely did not invite me. While repeating this mantra in my head, I make my way toward the car.
< Ep 3 | Table of Contents | Ep 5 >
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❅ In adventure stories, the Call to Adventure represents a pivotal moment when the main character is invited to step out of their familiar world and into the unknown. The call often arrives unexpectedly—through a message, a meeting, or a sudden event—and requires the hero to leave behind their comfort zone, whether it be the safety of home, a predictable life, or familiar routines.
⤞ Kai’s Question For You:
Have you ever experienced a "call" in your own life that came unexpectedly? A moment where you had to step out of your comfort zone and face new challenges? Reflect on how this moment affected you and what growth came from answering the call. I’d love it if you could share your experiences below this episode!
I think my 'call' happened when I lost my job, and I was 'asked' by the universe to take a very unexpected route. A route that scared me. I decided to do what I love, rather than do what I think society expected of me. It really felt like the call was something out of my hands, not necessarily a call from someone, but a call via something that happend, losing my work. I think I grew since then more than I could have imagined, and it wasn't all easy.