When I started to regain consciousness, I heard some voices around me. One of them, in particular, caught my attention – it was my voice. “Let me get this straight Dad, you’re saying this girl is me from another universe?” pausing, he said, “How’s that possible when she looks probably 2-3 years younger than me?”
I opened my eyes to find myself lying on the couch; everyone looking at me. “Wha-What’s going on? Where am I?”
“You’re safe, sweetie.” Looking at me, Natasha said, “You have nothing to worry about.”
Sitting up, I looked down and realized my torn clothes had been replaced a somewhat tightly fitting dress. My memory started to return at that moment; as I suddenly remembered being pulled through Dad’s portal into another universe. Jumping off the couch, I said, “I have to get home!”
My doppelganger was closest so he managed to grab me. “Whoa, calm down!”
I looked up at my doppelganger to find that other than our voices and face, there wasn’t anything identical between us. He seemed to be around 5’8” and rather muscular. I tried to wrest myself from his grip but found I didn’t have the strength to do so. Looking at the group, tears starting to come down my face, I said, “Please, you have to let me go home!”
“I’m sorry...Eric, but I’m afraid that’s not possible right now.” Looking at me, Alt-Dad said, “The portal was damaged as a result of your arrival, it’s going to take a few days before I can determine whether it’s repairable.”
“What?” crying, I said, “No, I have to go home now!”
Seeing that I was hysterical, Natasha looked at Alt-Tonya and said, “Why don’t you bring her upstairs to your room; I think she needs to get some rest.”
“Okay.” Looking at me, Alt-Tonya said, “Come on, sweetie, let’s go upstairs.”
“Stop talking to me like I’m a little kid!” pointing at Alt-Eric, I said, “I’m 13 years old, just like him!”
Any attempts to fight were fruitless; I was starting to feel lightheaded. Before I could do anything about it, I collapsed to the floor. This was followed by shocked gasps from everyone in the room. “What just happened?”
By a stroke of luck, this alternate family had a new mirror leaning against a nearby wall. Looking at it, I saw the reflection of a ______.