She had no idea how it happened. One moment she was walking through the garden behind the Beast’s castle, the next—

BAM. Concrete. Noise. Lights that didn’t flicker like candles, but buzzed above her like trapped lightning.

Bella spun around in confusion, her long dress catching the eyes of every passerby on the New York sidewalk. A car honked. Someone shouted something rude. Her breathing quickened.

She clutched the edges of her dress and turned in a circle, completely lost.

That’s when she bumped into someone.

“Hey—watch it,” came the dry, gruff voice.

Bella blinked up. Short auburn hair. Sharp green eyes. A hoodie. Freckles.

The girl narrowed her eyes at Bella’s dress, then at the confusion in her eyes.

“You... okay?” she asked, voice suspicious but not unkind.

“I—I think I’m lost,” Bella whispered. “Where is... this place?”

Ellie raised an eyebrow. “You British or just weird?”

Bella gave a shaky smile. “A bit of both, I think.”

Ellie sighed. “Great. Another theater kid who got hit by a bus.”