Esme's eyes snapped wide, unable to hide her shock. "Chili powder?!" Her voice wavered as she tried to keep calm. Her gaze practically screamed Are you serious? Her mind raced with sarcastic thoughts: What's next? A dinosaur bone? Anything else you want to add to this abomination?
Ray, completely oblivious, nodded enthusiastically. "Yep, chili powder! It's my signature touch, gives it that extra spice and kick."
Esme's mind went blank. She could feel her life flashing before her eyes. This is it. Goodbye, world. Goodbye, Helga, Aron… it's been real. But she kept smiling, nodding slowly. "Uh… very good… that's… creative."
As she lifted the cup to her lips in what she was sure would be her final act of bravery, she heard a voice from the doorway. "Esme! You're actually drinking Ray's tea?"
She glanced up and saw Aron standing there, wide-eyed. Relief washed over her face, a gleam of hope lighting up her eyes as she silently pleaded for rescue.
