I'm From Another Dimension

Bella: 1981- ???

How and why? How and why?

Those were the only questions (or would it be a single question?) that were present in Bella's mind. Maybe where?, too, but that wasn't as prominent. From what she could see, it was dark, and she was in an alley.

"This definitely isn't Gravity Falls," She whimpered, wrapping her arms around herself, "Oh, what am I gonna do?"

She sat down against the wall behind her. It was warm, warmer than it had been in Oregon. Thankfully, she was wearing shorts (boy's shorts, not those useless, pocketless things girls wore) and not sweatpants.

"I wish Fidds or Ford was were," She whispered to herself, tears starting to form in her eyes, "They'd know what to do."

She buried her head in her arms, which were wrapped around her legs. She started sobbing loudly; an instinct, she knew it. All her life it had been crying loudly equals getting comfort. But she also knew that there was no one here that would come to comfort her. She was alone.

"Hey, kid. You alright?"

The voice made her jump, and she looked up at its source through her tear-stained glasses. After wiping them off, she saw a slightly familiar face, but she couldn't quite name it.

But stranger meant danger, and she quickly and fearfully scooted away from the man.

"Hey hey, I'm not gonna hurt ya," The man said, holding up his hands, "I promise, ok?"

The voice sounded familiar, too. It was older, though, and she still couldn't name it. It felt like deja vú, and she didn't like deja vú. She didn't like not knowing stuff.

"Uh... ok..." She sniffed, trying desperately to wipe her face, "W-who are you?"

"Um... call me Stan," The man said.

Stan! That's why everything seemed so familiar! He was just like Stan! Maybe this was Stan... another version of Stan.

"So, again, are you ok?" Not-Quite-Stan asked, cautiously offering a hand. Bella took it, finally able to wipe the tears from her face.

"Uh... not really," She answered, "I'm..."

Scared? Confused? In another dimension than mine?

"Lost?"

"Sounds more like a question than a statement, girly," Not-Stan raised an eyebrow. Bella grimaced at the nickname.

"Don't call me that," She grumbled, tugging her t-shirt to hide her breasts more. At least she wore her makeshift binder today, that made it a bit easier.

"Alright, what's your name, then?" Not-Stan asked.

"Bella," The girl responded shortly, "And I kinda am lost. Sorta... I dunno..."

She looked down, fidgeting with her hands. There was silence for a moment as Not-Stan looked her over.

"Where are your parents?" He asked.

"It doesn't matter," Bella frowned, "I can't see them."

"I'm guessing you're a runaway, then?" Not-Stan assumed.

"Uh... yeah," Bella lied, "I am..."

"Alright," Not-Stan sighed, running a hand through his mullet, "Where are ya from, Bella?"

"Oregon," Bella answered, an idea forming in her head. Maybe this dimension's Stan could help her get home!

"Oregon?" Not-Stan's eyes widened, "What're you doin' all the way in Louisiana?"

"Oh, so that's where I am!" Bella exclaimed, then cringed. Why'd she say that out loud? "Uh... can I not say why I'm here? I don't really wanna talk about it..."

That was another lie. Bella didn't want to not talk about it, she just couldn't come up with a reason why she'd be halfway across the country.

I am halfway across the country, right? She thought to herself. Not-Stan acted like it was far away.

"If you want, I guess," Not-Stan shrugged, "I get it. So I'm guessing you don't want me to take you to the police?"

"Nuh-uh," Bella shook her head. She might not even exist in this dimension. If she went to the police and she didn't have any records, she'd be in some real deep shit.

"Good," Not-Stan sighed in relief, "To be honest, I didn't want to go either."

"Could I stay with you?" Bella asked suddenly, looking hopefully up at Not-Stan.

"Bad idea, kid," He responded, "Really bad idea."

"I don't got anywhere else to go, though," She whimpered. And how would she walk all the way to Oregon? With no money for food or anything?

Not-Stan seemed to think it over for a moment.

"Fine. I guess," He finally gave in, "I've got a place to stay the night not far from here. C'mon."

Bella squealed and ran up to hug the older Stan.

"Thank you thank you thank you!" She repeated, bouncing on her feet.

"Woah!" Not-Stan was nearly knocked to the ground by the force of the hug, but was able to steady himself, "Uh, sure. No problem, kid."