One glorious morning, Belle was out walking among the rolling hills of the countryside. She knew this landscape like the back of her hand, and it was comforting to walk great distances along the familiar terrain. The air was crisp and clear with just a hint of winter around the corner. As she was musing on the beauty of the day she noticed something at the top of the next hill which hadn't been there before. A bright light was shining so brightly it obscured whatever it was generating the light. Belle decided to take a closer look and directed her steps up the hill. Despite getting closer, she still could not discern what was generating this light. The light also did not get any larger or brighter as she approached, which struck her as odd. It was as though the object was staying the same distance from her despite the fact she had traveled more than half the distance to it. She continued on her way marveling at this strange object. As she reached the crest of the hill she determined it wasn't a light source which had drawn her this far. Instead, it appeared there was a wrinkle in the air which seemed to bend and focus the light. Always the curious one, Belle approached as close as she could while still seeming to be a safe distance from this strange phenomenon. Just a few feet away, close enough to reach out and touch the wrinkle. She walked all around the top of the hill circling the spot. It looked the same from every angle. Tentatively, she leaned closer and reached her hand out ever so slowly, one finger outstretched. Inch by inch her finger moved towards the bright bending light. Suddenly, before she even thought she had touched the wrinkle, her entire body began to be yanked violently towards the spot. There wasn't even time to try to resist. Before she knew it, she was enveloped completely by the light. Bright light surrounded her completely and she was enveloped in silence. The violent pulling stopped almost as soon as it had started. Slowly she turned her head to try to see past the light, but it was no use, she could see nothing. She then reached both arms straight out to help herself feel the way out. The movement caused her to tumble to the ground and everything appeared to return to normal. The familiar hills returned and she could once again hear the sound of the wind and the song birds. Truly shaken by this experience, Belle decided it best to return home as quickly as possible.

She covered the ground back to her familiar castle very quickly, feeling an urgency of returning to safety. She crested the next hill and was expecting to see the grand building in the distance, but was stopped dead in her tracks by the sight which greeted her instead. Where a solid stone structure once stood atop a hill, now there was nothing. In the valley below her a shining black road carved a path into the distance. Carriages were whizzing along at dizzying speeds. She turned in every direction trying to get her bearings. But everything behind her told her she was going exactly where she should to return home. However, home was nowhere to be found. She walked quickly down the hill into the valley and was stunned by the noise coming from the road and the speeding carriages. The closer she got, the more frightening the speed of the carriages became. She decided she would go back over the hill she came from and try to go around the road from the other side. But what she saw when she crested back over the hill completely took her breath away and brought her to her knees. What had been pleasant rolling countryside only minutes ago was now an incomprehensible collection of buildings, people, and noise. She desperately scanned the vision before her for anything even remotely familiar. "Focus Belle, you can figure this out. Don't panic" she said to herself with determination. Suddenly she felt as thought she was at once being drawn into the scene before her, and at the same time, the scene was coming towards her. Before she could comprehend what was happening she was completely enveloped in this strange new world. The carriages she had seen before in the distance were now frighteningly close to her and appeared to move by magic. There were no horses, but they were pulled along at great speed with their occupants all calmly seated inside. She turned on the spot desperately looking for an escape, but there was nothing to help her gain her bearings other than the signs which now appeared to be everywhere. While she could easily read all of the signs, none of them had any meaning to her. They all appeared to be labeling the dwellings of individuals such as "Walgreens", "Applebee's", and "Barnes & Noble". Other signs simply had meaningless words such as "Express", "Subway", and "Staples". But as she walked, she noticed none of these structures were dwellings. They were all shops of some type selling a staggering number of garments, food, and unrecognizable items. But one shop stood out from all the rest and drew her to it. Books. The store with the sign "Barnes & Noble" had books. Books were safe. Belle quickened her step and headed directly into the bookshop without hesitation.

Inside, the sound of the noisy carriages dropped away and was replaced by a sense of calm. This bookshop was bigger even than her library at home. She had never imagined so many books could even exist! She stood at the entrance and took in the scene before her. Many people were quietly walking among the rows and rows of bookshelves. Once in a while someone would pick up a book and look through it, then put it back and continue on their way. As she stood there in awe, she was startled by a voice:

"Is there something I can help you find?"

"Oh!" Belle exclaimed, jumping a little. "There are so many books!" was all she could stammer.

"Hmm." said the shopkeeper looking Belle up and down. "I'm guessing you like adventure stories?"

"Why yes I do!" Belle said feeling quite relieved there was someone here who spoke with sense. Perhaps this person could even help her find her way home. But for the moment, the call of the books was all that mattered and Belle happily followed the shopkeeper deep into the shop and among the books.