Through the Portal

Chapter Three: Alone

Matt was currently having a staring contest with Nate who, he soon found out, was indeed an actual cat that could talk. A lot.

Once Stephanie and Matt got to her house, he found his leg automatically being shredded to pieces by a black cat that could make even the toughest of sailors gasp at his profanity. Then, after several failed attempts, Stephanie was able to get Nate to calm down just enough for her to explain that Matt wasn't this world's Matthew but instead he's from a different dimension.

"I still have my eyes on you." Nate hissed once his owner went into the kitchen, leaving the two in what Matt presumed was the living/bedroom area.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not that Matthew?" Matt replied

Nate tapped his paw on Matt's head, "You and that monster are still the same person even with the different dimensions bull crap. So that means you two probably share similar characteristics. Which means," his paw gripped Matt's hair tightly, causing the man to flinch, "You could very easily be a monster just like him, and I'm not going to take that chance."

Matt groaned before standing up, "Gah, I don't have time for this!" He began walking towards the front door, Nate weaving between his feet.

"Where do you think you're going?" Nate questioned.

"I'm going to try and find a way back home!"

"You can't."

Nate and Matt spun around, seeing Stephanie standing in the doorway, a tray of cookies and tea in her hands.

"Why can't I? If this Matthew is truly evil, then I need to go and save my friends!"

Stephanie set the tray down and glided over to them, "The portal is still in the castle as far as I know-"

"Great, so show me where the castle is and-"

"But it's closed off to the public until tomorrow morning."

"Oh..." Matt shifted his feet, his brown eyes downcast.

"The first thing tomorrow we'll go. I promise." Stephanie led Matt over to a few chairs and sat down. She then patted the seat besides her which Matt hesitantly took.

Nate jumped onto his owner's lap and yawned. "Besides, I'm sure your friends are fine." He replied and tried to reach for a cookie, "He's a bit of a moron after all."

A small sigh escaped Matt's mouth and he rested his head on his fist, "I know but...I still worry."

Stephanie placed a hand on Matt's shoulder, making him jump. She cracked a tiny smile before handing him a cup of tea which he gratefully took.

It was funny. Looking at this Stephanie should make him feel a little at home, they were practically the same person after all. Yet, whenever he gazed at her or heard her voice, it only made him feel more homesick. This wasn't his Stephanie, this was someone completely different. And though this may look like Earth, it clearly wasn't. Everything felt off. Even the tea he was currently drinking tasted earthier then he was use to.

Matt's stomach churned. For the first time since seventh grade, Matt felt completely alone.