House of Many Doors

Chapter 3

Celebration coloured the atmosphere.

For the first time I truly appreciated the beauty of the city. The buildings were white. The streets were white. Everything was white except for the greenery, planted in place.

The narrow streets glued blocks of buildings together. The closeness of the structures were more cozy than claustrophobic.

Seth was leading the way. Our intertwined hands served as a lifeline that pulled me through the crowd. To be honest, I wasn't sure if my blind obedience was based on trust, or if it was shock in disguise. Maybe it was neither, maybe it was just pure curiosity. Here's to hoping that I'm not the cat.

I turned away from my wandering thoughts to focus on where I was walking.

Conversations and laughter buzzed together into a noise that echoed off the walls. The people blurred together to form a welcoming feeling.

Seth pulled my side to his and slowed downed as we were approached an open door. It was a restaurant. Was he taking me on a date?

He let go of my hand and gestured 'ladies first'.

A waiter greeted us with a question, "Booth or table?"

"Booth," I replied.

My legs wanted to thank the person who made these seats so comfy.

"And?" Seth asked from the seat opposite to mine.

I sighed, "Maybe you're a sane figment of my crazy imagination."

"Right where I left you," a redhead-beauty interrupted.

Seth's eyes lit up, "Scarlett."

"Seth," she smiled, "I thought we established that this place has shitty service."

"I'm in the business of giving second chances," Seth smirked.

Scarlett laughed, "Since when?"

Her green gaze turned towards me, "I'm glad to see it was just a rumour."

She lunged forward to hug me and whispered, "I've missed you, Thea."

When she pulled away I asked, "Thea?"

She looked at Seth when she said, "I'm so sorry," then she looked at me, "You looked familiar, must be the lighting."

Another smiling face rushed to the table.

"Look," she said before he could even open his mouth, "I found Thea's doppelgänger."

"Oh," there was a flash of sadness before he extended his hand, "I'm Kain."

'I'm confused' is what I wanted to say instead of, "I'm Lydia."

Kain sat down next to me and Scarlett slid into the spot next to Seth.

It was time for clarity to kill confusion.

"Let's skip the sugar coated bullshit," I said.

Kain smirked and Scarlett nodded.

"Correct me if I'm wrong," I wanted to confirm what I already  knew, "Parallel universes exist."

Everybody nodded.

I continued, "Different types of human-like species exist, but there's only one of my type and specie."

"That sums it up," Scarlett said.

"Here's what I'm missing," I went on, "How does one go about travelling the multiverse?"

Kain was the one to explain, "Picture the multiverse as a house. Inside the house are many doors. Each door represents a universe. How do you get from one door to another?"

"Hallways," I breathed.

"You only need to know the way," Kain smiled.

"Species that can multi-travel are known as Omnivers," Scarlett added, "the exception being you."

"That's another thing I don't quite get," I was almost too scared to ask, "What does it mean to be me?"

"You know how a house has a front door?" Scarlett continued with Kain's metaphor.

"Uh huh," I nodded.

"Nobody knows how or why but you are the only one that can open that door," Scarlett stated, "not that you ever have."

"What's out there?"

"Heaven. Hell. Oblivion. Reality. Your guess is as good as mine," she said.

Then there was the question that went unanswered, "Thea?"

Everybody looked to Seth for that answer.

"She was you."