Kris

I plopped myself down on the bed and a cloud of dust appeared around me. I coughed and waved it away from my nose.

"Sorry about the mess. I couldn't convince Lanie to let me clean up in here," Beth said, entering the room slowly. "She's always been sensitive. She was about to give up hope when we got the call from the police. I'm so sorry I wasn't able to protect you. I can never forgive myself for letting you get taken from us. I have no idea what they did to you, but I want you to know that -"

"I need to go back," I said, not waiting for her to finish.

"What!? No! You just got back, you can't -"

"You don't understand. I need to go back. I can't stay here. This is not my home. I don't even know who you are!"

"Kris, listen to me right now. You are not leaving this house. I am your mother, and you are my child. You will not be allowed to go back there," Beth snapped.

"Please, you don't understand, and even if I tried to explain -"

"What is there to explain?! I have made myself clear, you will not be leaving this house!"

"It's not my house! I am not your child! I'm not even from here!" I shouted angrily. This woman would not hold me back from everything I knew. Everything I loved.

"What the hell do you mean? Kris, you are acting like an insane person!"

"Well, maybe I am! I don't even know what I am anymore! I'm not supposed to be here. I'm not from this world. I don't know what happened, but I somehow ended up in this world in your child's place! I will not just stand here as you prevent me from going home!"

Nobody said anything for a few seconds. Her eyes softened and she placed her hand on the side of my face.

"Look at you... You're so tired. Look, honey, you get some rest. You'll feel better in the morning. Today has been a long day for all of us."

She kissed my forehead and walked out of the room, closing and locking the door behind her. Realizing that there was nothing more I could do today. I leaned back on the bed. I realized that she was right, I was tired. I did need rest. And so, I closed my eyes and let sleep consume me.