It is already five o'clock in the afternoon and I feel like I was losing my breath as I rushed myself to get ready before my two male friends pick me up. These are all caused by our classmate, a petite porcelain-like skinned lady and our friend Brix's ultimate crush, who gave Brix a ticket for three to the newly opened amusement park in our small city. Since it was my first time to go to an amusement park - as my father forbids me to when he was still alive - my excitement made my body increase its adrenaline to its maximum.
"Do not forget to send me a text message the moment you arrive at the amusement park and everytime before you enter the attractions especially the roller coaster!" my mother cried. Isn't she overprotective? "and bring a towel, an umbrella, a flashlight and a teargas. Please be very careful everytime." she added. "Mother, I am going to an amusement park, not a three-day camp." I answered back with a smile.
Maybe you are wondering why she is like this, acting like I am going to engage in a world war. I am their only child, only daughter, and my father is already dead since I was in grade school so that they always protect me so much like a treasure. Maybe you are asking why they didn't make more children so that there will be less overprotection. Their love story was so long before they made me but let's not talk about that because my friends may arrive anytime soon.
Now, because my mother's words made me rush up as twice as earlier, I am already prepared. I wear my favorite khaki a-third-of-my-thigh-long shorts paired with my sky-blue short sleeved hoodie and a pair of sky-blue sneakers with black knee-length socks, my favorite casual attire which they called not normal combination for the eyes of the "normal" citizens. Inside my black chubby bunny stuffed0toy-like backpack are the gadgets that my mother told me to bring including the cellular phone that my father used when he was still alive. I took a glance at my room, full of posters and figurines of my favorite anime and cartoon series and bed with two long pillows printed with sexy posed female characters from the same series, before I went downstairs to embrace my mom before I go so that her worries will be lessen.
As my mother repeats, "Please be very careful everytime." and added "Be a keen observer and sensitive", the buzzer rang.
"Nina! Nina! We are here! Get out of the house or you'll be dead meat!". That was Brix, our friend who has the ticket, a very noisy man and says serious jokes everytime he picks me up- mother is used to it though, she even told me that if I'm late, she doesn't know where to put my bony leftovers.
I embraced my mother as she sent me off and I felt like I'm in déjà vu when she said for the third time, "Please be very careful everytime." and lastly I responded due to my worries that she might be having memory loss, "Don't worry mom, they said I'm a fearsome delinquent that they need to be more careful than me". At last she said something different, "Be home before supper or else your collection will turn to ashes" she smiled. I responded with a smile and left the house with my friends.
"If you have a curfew then let's stop walking and wait for the tramcar" said Reevahn, an intellectual one who usually asks for the reason of existence and relation of everything to everything – maybe he was a philosopher in his previous life.
The tramcar arrived and we stepped inside the half-populated tramcar. During the first minute of the three minute tramcar ride, we were reserving our energy for the amusement part that we are preventing ourselves to talk but something Reevahn has seen made him talk
"Hey, Nina, didn't that wizard looking old lady staring at Brix for a full minute until now?" Reevahn whispered.
"Old lady who? That one who's wearing maroon Nazarene devotee clothing?" I confirmed to Reevahn while I observe the old lady stared sharply at Brix, who is whispering or maybe singing by himself with closed eyes. "Maybe the old lady is criticizing Brix's first-time-in-the-city-countryboy's fashion and she was going to puke but accidentally swallowed it instead that's why her look can be read as she is hating the existence of Brix. What do you think?"
"Maybe. Ninety percent possible." as Reevahn answered while preventing himself to cachinnate inside the silent half-populated tramcar. While Reevahn and I study the iconic fashion of Brix, algae-like green checkered twice-as-large-as-his-size polo tucked inside a waist high black slacks with matching pair of ship-like black rubber shoes which actually looks like leather if you are two meters away from him, the old lady stand up and ring the bell for the tramcar to stop. Reevahn and I standing before the door became frightened when the old lady whispered as she passed by us. "Please be careful everytime. Be a keen observer and sensitive". That was so weird, weirder than our old fashioned friend here, as she stated the same warning as my mother's. Is that a premonition of some tragedy? A warning? A threat? We don't know.
Half of the half-populated tramcar is destined to the amusement park. As I step down the tramcar, I can feel the first step to one of my dreams, my childish dream to go to the amusement park. These two boys were normally walking to the entrance gate as I feel the earth of the park's entrance gate. My eyes wandered three hundred and sixty degrees from my position as my adrenaline increases again to its maximum. I was in the midst of my imagination when I felt something pointy is poking the center of my palm.
"Hello! Earth calling Nina! Your ticket is already in your hands" called Reevahn. I finally came back to my senses and suddenly something scared me. Brix was holding something round and shiny with a ghost-like appearance girl with weird facial expression inside it. Two more seconds, I realize that was my face.
"Are you coming with us?"
"Of course I am." while I opened my bag to get my cellphone. "I'm going to send my mother a message first before I enter". They waited for me to finish my business before going in together. I put my cellphone in the left pocket of my shorts so that it will be easy for me to get it.
We gave the ticket to the gatekeeper and walked in. as my eyes wandered again, I saw pretty attractions in the park. Maybe that round-shaped house with many horses is the stupid Merry-go-round which doesn't caught my interest to try. On my left side, a small souvenir shop is present infested by guardians with their five to seven year old children who are purchasing few stupid balloons – I don't like balloons as they exploded everytime I touch them. On my right, I can see a waiting shed extended with gates which maybe another tramway inside the park. We are still standing at the entrance area because they let my curiosity amaze me. "Are you done? Let's go."
"Of course" I said as my adrenaline rush hastens every move of my feet that excitedly wants me to be the first one to ride.
"What do you want to ride first?" asked Brix.
"What is your recommendation? I'm a first timer." I answered while pinching my nose to help me think.
"Maybe we should start with a mild one then eventually proceed to the wild one" Reevahn suggested.
"What do you think? You decide." Brix said, giving me the authority to decide.
"What are the mild ones and the wild ones?"
"There are many mild ones to choose from and the wild one must be the roller coaster." answered Reevahn.
"Then, let's go to the roller coaster first so that after the ride, I will send my mom a message that I survived the wild one to alleviate her worries" I decided. These boys must be surprised by my decision as I can see their jaw dropped in agitation.
Because our city is normally populated and the citizens are usually busy to visit a park to entertain themselves, the line to the roller coaster is just seven meters long enough to fill the seats. While waiting for the first batch to be done, I texted my mother that I am going to ride the train of her and my father's fears.
As the first batch arrived, Brix made a jest. "Because of your courage as a first timer to try this one first, the hearsay about you being a delinquent is confirmed." "Res ipsa loquitor. It doesn't follow" I responded. Reevahn laughed pointing his index finger directly in the face of Brix which means he understands what I mean with that logical phrase. We laughed out loud together while riding the cart.
I enjoyed the ride as if I was a bird flying to the wide sapphire sky that somewhat made me feel extreme freedom except for the restrains that were secured to us for our safety. One rider down and we still have less than four hours left before going home. I texted my mother that we are done with the roller coaster and I survived her fears. Finally, she replied, "Thank God you're safe. I can finally relax now. Enjoy your day and tell me your experience later when you get home". Even though she said that she's already relaxed, I will still going to send her messages of the happening events.
We took a break and ate some snacks first. This experience is really wonderful. While eating my favorite slice of pizza and holding a large glass of iced tea, I noticed a camera flash which was from Reevahn's camera. He took some pictures of us three to commemorate this day and then connected it to his phone which has internet.
"So those flashes earlier came from your camera" said Brix.
"Yes it is so that I can make an album in my account in this photosharing website" Reevahn answered while uploading the photos from his camera. "What is the last ride that we haven't gone yet? It is only eight thirty in the evening. We still have time until Nina's curfew" he added. "That transparent Ferris wheel is the only one left. You can take more pictures of the park in bird's eye view while inside it." I said. "Wait. I'm going to buy some additional snacks for our Ferris wheel ride" asked the gluttonous Brix. "NO FOODS ALLOWED INSIDE THE RIDES." Reevahn and I scolded in chorus.
Again, before we went from a place to another, I texted my mother. We rode the Ferris wheel cart which has closed but transparent walls, floor and even the seats, round in shape and can see the whole city three hundred and sixty degrees vertically and three hundred and sixty degrees horizontally – even diagonally. Reevahn took his chance to take more photos of the city and the park when we reached the twelve o'clock position of the wheel. When we reached three o'clock as viewed from the entrance gate, Reevahn noticed something and took a photo of it. After the ride, we checked the photo that Reevahn noticed and zoomed it in.
"This is not our final ride. Let us check this one."
Lead by Reevahn, we arrived at the main attraction. I looked up and read the name of the attraction, "Cazanette travel train: Where another world journey makes you feel reality". I remembered where I saw the same title. It was given to us by a park clerk before we eat saying, "Please try our new attraction" while giving the flyers with the title in it. There are only few who came to this attraction including us. They may lack creative advertisement strategies to promote and attract more customers. This attraction looks pretty good and techie as we are required to wear 3d glasses at all times while riding the train. The entrance gate looks like a tunnel that made it convincing for its title. The railways are obviously going to take a stroll inside the passage or tunnel and will end up through that exit passage on the other side that can also be seen here in the entrance.
We rode the bullet train-like cart with four groups of visitors like us seated per group in every room or cabin. Because we are late, our cabin is located at the tail if the train. Each cabin can accommodate four people. Opposite the door of each cabin is the window where you can see the 3d videos later. Outside the train, costumed group of men are preparing to enter the tunnel. The ride may start soon.
"Please wear your 3d glasses and fasten your seat belts. The journey will begin in a minute." said the voice.
The other groups are so noisy as we hear them entertain themselves by singing, shouting, screaming, taunting and trash talking their neighboring cabins. The passengers in the cabin beside us then throw a fake insect toy inside our cabin knowing that there is a girl here.
"Please be patient. We do not want to be sidekicks of a roaring tiger inside this train." said Brix.
"I'm not afraid of insect. If they throw it, they lost it. It's their loss." I defended while prolonging my patience after I hear the irritating laugh of celebration as they might have imagined that I fainted because of fear. The group beside us must be a group of proud boys with five percent intellect and ninety five percent trash.
"Let us check out the panties of the girl that must be fainted beside our cabin!" they laughed.
"Now, I'm pissed off" I said with my lower voice. I don't like men who talk lowly of women.
"Well, we can't stop you" Reevahn permitted "those guys need to learn their lesson."
Since the train is not yet moving, I took off my seat belt, took the teargas that mom required me to bring which is useful at these times, and went to the cabin next door. I stood up in front of their door and smiled.
These paraphilic jerks stared at me as if they're going to drool as they listen while I say in a cute flirty voice,
"You wanted to check out my panties right?" as they nod happily, I added, "Will you let me see all of your eyes so that I'll be sure that none of you is blind before I show you my panties?". The morons happily nod while removing their glasses not thinking of what I could do for real. As they wait for me to strip, I tool a grip of my teargas getting ready to spray it to these morons.
"Are you ready?" I said while they nod and drool like a dog and watch like their eyes were going to pop out of their face.
"This is for you… stupid paraphilic morons!!!" while spraying the teargas and gratifying myself with the screams of their suffering. After the mission, I went back to my seat again, fasten my seatbelt and wear the glasses. As the train moved, I noticed my two friends; Reevahn is covering his ears and Brix is covering his eyes.
"What are you doing?!"
"I see no evil." said Brix. "I hear no evil" followed by Reevahn. Then I put my hands under my armpit saying, "I did no evil". Three second of silence after what I said, we laughed our victory aloud.
"This is your captain saying; enjoy your journey in fantasy"
The train entered the tunnel hole and the tunnel walls started to illuminate white lights. Outside the windows, the white lights started to form cloud images, because of the 3d glasses we're wearing, the cloud images in the tunnel walls look so real. While viewing the scenery, we felt the tram jumped. "What was that?!" Reevahn asked with a scared expression. "All passengers, we are now experiencing turbulence. Please fasten your seatbelts for your safety" said the voice. Because of the "4d rider" effect of this train added by the voice's message, other cabin passengers cheered aloud in joy and excitement.
This ride is very entertaining. We stop at fake stations which are the transitions for the airplane, train, rocket, and satellite journey added by the costumed men earlier who are actually performers who portray steward, novelty, astronaut and alien. This is really fun. We are amazed that we can feel that we are really travelling everywhere because of the high tech effects.
The train supposedly runs for only twenty to thirty minutes but it's weird that we are taking so long in this train.
"Aren't we supposedly in U-turn now?" I inquired
"Well, yes and aren't we supposedly still watching sceneries in this window?" said Reevahn.
"Is there a problem?" asked Brix
"Yeah. It looks like we are taking too long for this train" Reevahn answered with doubt. Then we heard again the announcement "Please wear your 3d glasses and fasten your seatbelts. The journey will begin in a minute".
"Isn't that weird?" I said.
"That voice… is recorded. So, who's driving this train?!" Reevahn said in a trembling voice. Brix suddenly unfasten his seatbelt, and went outside to check. "We are out of the rail!!!" he shouted. The cabin passengers panicked after they heard Brix. Reevahn suddenly stood up and rushed to the panicking passengers. "Do not panic! Let's think together how to stop the train and get out of here!"
I also stood up and checked the cabin that I bullied. "Hey you, are your eyes okay now? We need some morons to help." Thank goodness they did something to wash their eyes and accepted their defeat so that they are willing to help. "What can we do mistress?" Oh, I really love to hear the respect of the lower delinquents that I defeated. "Are you ready to repent your sins?" "Yes, Madame!"
"Good. Now, what we need to do is to look for a way to stop this train and get out of here."
"Yes Ma'am!" they answered in chorus.
The group of the first cabin consists of two boys and two girls are walking towards the supposed to be captain's control room. They crawl their way to reach the door but it's locked. Luckily, one of my subordinates brought a baseball bat that they used to crash the glass of the control room. "Return to your seats and secure yourselves with the seatbelts! I'm going to stop this train!"
We all returned to the seats but not in our assigned cabin because we are in an emergency. The girl in front of me closed her eyes as she prayed for our safety. The leadership of one of the morons is exceptional. I didn't expect him to be this good in leading during emergencies. "Are you guys ready?!" "Ready!" we answered in unison and then he stopped the train.
The train ended up in a cul-de-sac. The tunnel is just exactly as the size of the train and the train door luckily ends up in the open side of the cul-de-sac. The closed end of the cul-de-sac is a dome-shaped cave made by large boulders of rock. We can stay here for a while but we must find a way to remove the train which clogged the way to the entrance.
A tall humpty-dumpty-like lady called us, "Let us regain our strength first so that we can remove that train together. We can't do anything with empty stomach."
One of the boys which Reevahn called for help earlier said, "How can we feed our stomachs if bringing foods inside the train is prohibited? Obese people like you always think about food! Where are your brains?" "Hey, calm down, let her talk first. She might have plan." one of their girls opposed.
The humpty-dumpty-like lady rolled down her turtle neck and removed a towel. She's not actually obese. She removed her thick jacket next which has a secret zipper inside and removed all the foods inside it. Everyone is surprised. She actually is a sexy woman padded with food around her body. She even hid a dozen of cup noodles.
"How did you do that?" said one of the morons.
"I am actually a kleptomaniac since I had my memory. Before I enter a supermarket, I inform the manager and give a deposit in case I hide what I touch."
Even though she's a kleptomaniac, we were amazed by her honesty.
I texted my mother that we are trapped inside one of the attractions and said that our group is still alright. We just need some help from outside for them also to know the incidence. She responded that she will call for help and stay calm inside.
We had a picnic while we are waiting for rescue. The lights of the train are what we are using to see each other.