BEN ROLAND AND THE SECRET MARK

After breakfast, Ben and Tyler made their way to the garage.

It was a mess. Dust, tools, even a thin layer of frost had gathered inside. The boys got to work, pushing out the frozen air and clearing space bit by bit.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Margaret sat with a troubled expression as Richard read the paper.

"This is the third time," she said, voice low. "Three blank letters. Even if it's some prank… it's not funny anymore."

Richard looked up briefly.

"Alright, we'll check again next time. Maybe it's nothing."

"Next time?" Margaret snapped. "I think we should call the police now."

"Why involve the police in this?" Richard replied calmly. "It could just be Tyler... even Ben. You know he doesn't exactly feel welcome here."

Margaret hesitated.

"Maybe you're right… Maybe Ben did it. Fine. Let's catch him in the act next time."

"Yes," Richard nodded. "And when we do, he'll get a punishment he won't forget."

Suddenly, a sound — like paper folding — echoed from the kitchen.

Margaret stiffened.

"Did you hear that?" she whispered. "That noise… it sounded like paper folding. I think it's Ben."

"I didn't hear anything," Richard replied.

"Nothing? Listen properly!" she hissed.

Margaret tiptoed toward the kitchen.

It was empty.

But the sound was coming from the bin.

She stepped closer and looked inside.

The blank letter, the same one she had thrown away earlier — now shimmered in a deep crimson colour. It was glowing faintly.

She gasped, covering her mouth.

"This… this can't be happening..."

Panicked, she shouted,

"Richard! Come here — now!"

Her voice carried all the way to the garage.

Ben and Tyler heard it too, dropping what they were doing and rushing inside. Richard quickly followed.

"Look!" Margaret pointed into the bin. "It's glowing… the letter… it's glowing!"

Richard bent down and looked.

The letter shimmered with a strange, red energy, and the soft folding sound continued — but the paper wasn't moving.

"This is like some magical story, Ben," Tyler whispered.

"You two need to leave," Richard said firmly. "Go finish the garage. Now."

Ben stepped back reluctantly.

But then, the letter suddenly floated out of the bin — and drifted towards Ben.

He caught it instinctively.

As soon as he touched it, text appeared across the glowing surface.

"Ben, say 'Crimson Diamond of Wall' three times."

Ben stared at it, confused. Then, slowly, he whispered:

"Crimson Diamond of Wall… Crimson Diamond of Wall… Crimson Diamond of Wall."

Richard reached out.

"Give me that letter!"

The moment the paper touched his hand, a shock of electricity surged through him. He yelped, pulling away and clutching his wrist.

"What was that?" he groaned, stepping back.

Ben looked at the paper again. New words had appeared:

"Go to the garage."

Ben took off running.

"Wait!" Tyler called out, chasing after him.

Richard and Margaret exchanged stunned looks and followed.

Inside the garage, Ben noticed something strange — a trapdoor in the floor, faintly glowing.

He opened it and climbed down.

Darkness surrounded them.

"Where are we?" Tyler whispered.

"I don't know," Ben replied. "I've never seen this place before."

Then Tyler pointed ahead.

"Ben… look at the wall."

Ben turned.

A golden symbol shimmered on the far wall — exactly like the one glowing on Ben's chest.

Richard and Margaret arrived just behind them.

"You never told me there was a basement in the garage," Margaret said sharply.

"I didn't know!" Richard insisted. "I've never seen this before in my life."

Ben looked at the letter again.

"Touch the symbol, Ben."

Ben stepped forward. Slowly, he placed his hand on the glowing sign.

A blinding white light shot out from the wall.

It began to pull him in.

"Ben, can I come with you?" Tyler shouted.

Ben paused halfway through the light.

"Can my brother Tyler come too?" he asked the letter.

More words appeared:

"If you say so, Ben. Allow Tyler."

Ben looked at his brother and smiled.

"Allow Tyler."

The glow pulsed again, and Tyler stepped forward.

Both boys disappeared through the wall.

Richard tried to follow — but the light vanished.

The basement began to seal itself shut.

Panic struck their faces.

Richard and Margaret rushed back upstairs, only to find the garage floor perfectly intact, the trapdoor gone.

"No... this can't be," Richard whispered. "Where did they go?"

Ben and Tyler had entered a new world.

One filled with secrets, magic, and a forgotten destiny.

This was the true beginning…

of Ben Roland's journey.