The first thing she noticed beyond was a soft yellow light filling a handsome room. Feeling like Alice on the threshold of Wonderland, she stepped inside, more thrilled than afraid.
She heard a sighing behind her and saw the door closing shut. Only then did she become frightened. She beat against the wall, wishing that she had not been so rash as to venture into such a strange place.
She heard a voice say, “That will not help.”
Beth turned and saw a girl of about her own age standing on a richly-carpeted platform across the room. The odd unearthliness of the girl struck Beth immediately. She was pretty and her skin was milky white. Her costume seemed to be of a blue phosphorescent material, as did her shoes. Her short hair was almost as red as glowing coals.
“Wh—who are you?” Beth stammered.
“I am Linnia,” the girl replied in a voice that sounded almost as if she were singing. “You are Beth.”
“Yes,” Beth replied in amazement, “but how did you—?”
“I can read your mind.”
Beth gulped. “You can?”
“Come over and sit down,” Linnia said. “We shall talk.”