50 Book Three, Interlude and Chapter One

Published: Feb. 22, 2008, 7:19 p.m.

"Assam & Darjeeling" is the story of two children who set out to rescue their dead mother from the Underworld -- a nightmare place where the mythological desperately tries to keep pace with the world above. The children encounter cell-phone carrying demons, forgotten deities from defunct pantheons waiting tables, and one nasty character called Juniper who takes a particular, personal interest in their quest. After a brief interlude at the beginning of Book Three, we find the children wandering in a dry and lonely place. Fortunately, a new companion arrives.