Chapter 3: Ch 2 The Marking

"My name is RM, and I'll be your guide into the Door today." A young guy in his late teens introduced himself with a dazzling smile. He was pretty muscular, and he had nice chocolate brown hair with some highlights. His hair seemed a tad too long for his face, but the confident attitude of an experienced Rhombic was reassuring.

I was standing inside the Canadian Rhombic Alliance Center, aka RAC. The RAC was a national organization responsible for anything related to the Doors, Pockets, and Rhombics. Just like all the RACs of other countries, the Canadian RAC was located close to the Canadian Door that appeared in South Delta, British Columbia. 

After my Invitation was scanned and verified, I was ushered into a room to meet my guide.

"The first thing to do is to get you inside the Door and get your Marking," RM explained.

The Marking was a tattoo-like shape all Rhombics received on their wrists the first time they entered the Door.

RM continued, "Then, as you might already know, you must attend the mandatory three-week course run by the RAC. You'll learn everything you need to know there."

As we walked together, RM provided me with the standard information. He gave me the general history of the Door, and about how RAC's main duty was to keep the Rhombics safe and ready. After all, it was the Rhombics who kept the world safe from the Pockets exploding.

I followed RM out of the RAC building. The Door was within walking distance, and when we arrived, I finally laid my eyes  on the world- famous structure. I had seen it countless times on TV and in textbooks, but never up close. All Doors were heavily guarded by each country's RACs, so most non-Rhombics never got the opportunity to see them in person.

The mysterious structure was a double-door shape made of the same unearthly metal as the Invitation. In the middle was the shape of, you guessed it, rhombicosidodecahedron.

This shiny yet dull metal always managed to mesmerize me with all of its secrets and mysteries. It held so many colors that couldn't be described. It wasn't overly big, just a little bigger than the average doors of people's homes, but it was still a formidable structure.

RM waited patiently as if to give me some time to admire the Door. He must have escorted countless newbie Rhombics before, so he probably knew how in awe I was right now.

I felt both nervous and excited at the same time.

"You know, this might be my last year," said RM quietly.

Knowing what he meant, I asked, "So you'll be 20 soon?"

"Yup, I just had my 19th birthday. I don't feel any different now, but just one more year and I might be done," RM replied nonchalantly. 

Most Rhombics lost their power, and therefore their access to the Door, in their early 20s. This could happen abruptly or slowly over time. There were a rare few whose power remained with them, but the RAC estimated this to be less than 5% of all marked Rhombics.

I couldn't tell if RM was excited or upset about this. He had a vague smile on his face, and suddenly feeling the urge to fill this awkward silence, I mumbled, "Erm… Yay? Congrats on your… retirement, I guess?"

RM seemed startled as he turned toward me with a confused look.

Oh darn, did I offend him just now? Although I was born sarcastic, at least according to Sofia, I didn't mean anything by it this time. I was only trying to make conversation.

"Pfft… Hahaha!"

Phew, I was relieved to hear my guide burst into laughter.

RM replied, "Boy, you're making me feel so old, Leah. Are you going to call me 'Grandpa' now?"

"Well, they do say the 20s is the new 60s in the Rhombic world," I quipped.

Making friends wasn't my field of expertise, mostly because I never made an effort. I was here to better my and Sofia's lives, not to enlarge my social circle, which I admit was non-existent. But I felt an immediate liking to RM, who seemed very personable.

Still with an amused smile on his face, RM took a step closer to the Door. I jolted a little when it began to glow slowly before opening. In my mind, I had expected it to make metallic noises, perhaps some creaking like most normal doors did. But to my surprise, it opened soundlessly.

"Shall we go inside?" asked RM.

***

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Everyone in the world had heard of what it looked like inside the Door. No one had seen a photo of it, however, because no electronics or other earth technologies worked inside.

The first floor always looked like a forest. But it was said that the appearances of the higher floors changed often.

I walked by RM's side while looking around like a tourist. Tall green trees and bushes surrounded us, and it looked no different than any forest on earth. There was a light breeze that caused the unusually large leaves to rustle, and I heard faint noises of what I imagined to be from insects.

All in all, there was nothing interesting I could find around me. The only odd thing I sensed was that the air felt a little different. It wasn't that there was an odd smell; it just felt a little… thicker.  And yet, it made my mind feel clearer for some reason.

"I don't see any monsters anywhere," I commented.

I had half expected to be attacked by now, which was why I brought a kitchen knife hidden in my backpack. I knew this wasn't going to be enough, but it still made me feel better.

Plus, I have watched enough horror movies to know that you don't want to be caught weaponless when there are monsters around.

RM shrugged and answered, "They live a little further inside.It's pretty rare to see any monsters so close to the Door. But don't worry even if you spot one. I'll protect you."

My guide grinned at me, showing off his perfect white teeth. If he was being flirtatious, I would have given him a few of my regular snarky remarks. But I got the feeling that RM was just a nice guy.

I would have returned his smile if I could, but I couldn't muster up even a small one. Truth to be told, I was scared out of my mind. I have been acting calm, but calmness definitely wasn't what I was feeling right now.

Was this normal? Did all the other Rhombics feel this way when they first entered the Door?

I was disappointed because I thought I would feel braver. Whatever the criteria was that got me to receive the Invitation, it had to mean that I was meant to do this, didn't it?

I was a generally anxious kid most of the time. Although I barely remembered my parents, not having them had always left a hole in my heart. Life always felt unfulfilled, and my anxiousiety spiked even more when Sofia got sick. I was worried for my sister and for our lives.

I can't remember the last time I felt genuinely content. But over the years, I learned to act "normal" as if nothing was wrong. I realized early on that sarcasm was a very effective tool to get through the day for someone like me.

Money and the Miracle Potion for Sofia were two main reasons why I chose to do this. But there was one more secret reason I had for taking a risk.

I wanted to be braver. I wanted to be somebody important. And I felt that these things could be achieved if I became a Rhombic. Growing up watching the powerful Rhombics, I dreamt of becoming confident and capable just like them. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I secretly imagined myself as one of those popular movie superheroes like…

You might think Wonder Woman would have been an obvious choice, but I was more partial to Xena, the Warrior Princess, minus the bang, of course.

It took us only a short walk to reach a small building. I didn't bother asking what it was, but RM explained anyway, "This was built by the RAC a few years ago. It encases the circle that marks you."

The first thing I saw when I entered the building was the magic crest etched on the ground. It was the size of a small coffee table, and it was one of the most complicated patterns I had ever seen. It looked like several rhombicosidodecahedra were overlapped together.

Other than the circle, there was nothing else in the building. I supposed there was no need for anything else because anyone who entered this place was here to be marked, not to take a nap.

"Ready? You gotta stand over there on top of the crest now." RM's patient voice echoed a little in the empty building.

So… It was finally time.

The moment I got the Marking, I was officially going to be a Rhombic. It was happening so fast, but  I was relieved to find that my fear was mostly gone. I was a tinsy bit worried, wondering if getting the Mark on my wrist was going to hurt, but there was no turning back.

It was time to be fearless and become someone that mattered.

I was ready.

I slowly walked up to the circle and stood on top of it just as RM ordered. Before I knew it, a dim light appeared from the circle upward to engulf me.

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