My first hint was when I stepped out of the shower and my mom’s box of hair dye wasn’t on the counter anymore.

I was sure it had been there before I got in. I always lock the bathroom door, so she couldn’t have come in to get it – why would she, anyway?

I chalked it up to me not remembering things correctly, and forgot about it as I dried off and got dressed. I opened the cupboard under the counter and frowned. My blow dryer, which I could swear used to be black, was now red, and a completely different brand. The black one was nowhere to be found.

Now I was convinced someone had somehow snuck into the bathroom while I was in the shower. This made me uncomfortable, but I was also relieved to know there was an explanation to whatever was happening.

I skipped the blow dryer, instead wrapping a towel around my hair, and headed to the kitchen to make something to eat. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw a man sitting at the kitchen table – until I realized it was my dad. His beard was gone, which was weird, considering I’d never seen my dad without his trademark long, well-kept beard. Ever.

“Hey, sweetie,” he said. He sounded almost sad, but he still didn’t look up from his phone.

“Morning,” I said. I looked at him for a few more moments before shrugging and walking to the cupboard. “What time does mom get off work?”

He didn’t respond. I looked up from pouring my cereal to see him staring at me, looking concerned. He’d put his phone down. Now that I could see his face, I was painfully aware of how old he looked. Did he always look this old?

“What?” I asked.

“Are you feeling okay, Kara?” He stood up from the table and started towards me.

“Um, yeah,” I said, confused. “Why?”

He put his hand on my forehead and I stepped back, starting to get frustrated. “What are you doing? I just wanna know what time she’ll be home.”

“You don’t have a fever. Did you hit your head?”

“I know I don’t have a fever. And no, I didn’t hit my head! Will you just tell me what’s going on?”

Dad didn’t answer for a few moments. He just looked at me with this weird, sad look on his face. “Your mom died four years ago, Kara. It’s been four years. Are you sure you didn’t hit your head? You could have a concussion.”

I ignored his question. I was too busy trying to absorb what he’d just said to me. What the fuck is he talking about? I saw her yesterday! And every day before that!

“Kara?”

His hand was on my shoulder. I shook it off and made a beeline for the closest window. I looked out in the driveway and saw only a rusty white pickup truck. We’ve never had a pickup truck.

“Where’s mom’s car? And where’s your car? Are you guys playing a prank on me or something because I swear this isn’t fucking funny-“

“Watch your language, young lady! You know this isn’t a prank. I don’t know what’s going on with you,” he said, and he had the nerve to sound angry. As if I’d done something wrong. “Maybe you should go to your room and cool down a bit.”

I stared at him in disbelief before storming off to my room, slamming the door and locking it behind me. I turned on my phone and scrolled through my messages. Adam, Sierra, Rose, Dad, Mariah – the messages between my mom and I were gone.

I’ve been in here for hours now. I’ve searched every one of my family members’ social medias. I went back four years like my dad said, and saw people telling me and dad that we were in their thoughts and prayers. Hell of a lot that does.

Another thing I noticed was the date of those posts. March 24th, 2016.

Four years ago today.

I don’t know what’s going on. The only thing I can come up with is that I’ve somehow crossed into a different dimension or something. I don’t know how I got here, and I don’t know how to get back, but if any of you know how, please tell me.