Last story! Yay, I did it.
How lucky he was--the most beautiful girl he knew agreed to go to the fair with him. Her hand brushed his as she climbed into the metal cage. A shiver went up his spine.
“I’m so scared,” she said and sat down close to him. The ride attendant slammed the door shut, locking them in.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he replied. “I’ve been on this ride loads of times. You are in for the ride of your life. Hang on tight.” He gripped the metal bar in front of him. With both her arms, she grabbed his arm and placed her head on his shoulder.
How lucky he was.
The ride began and the cage rocked as they made their way high in the air. Now she sat up straight and grabbed his hand. He felt the urge to kiss her but he wanted to wait for the swan ride around the lake.
Quickly the ride swung them upside down and round and round. He heard her laugh and scream in delight. She never let go of his hand—how lucky he was.
With the constant movement, the didn’t notice the door unlock and swing open. They fell together, still holding each other’s hand.
For a point: What story (of the twenty-six I wrote) was your favourite or stuck with you most?
The previous Death By … story is based on:
In the late summer of 1793, refugees from a yellow fever epidemic in the Caribbean fled to Philadelphia. Within weeks, people throughout the city were experiencing symptoms. By the middle of October, 100 people were dying from the virus every day. Caring for the victims so strained public services that the local city government collapsed. The virus, like malaria, is carried and transferred by mosquitoes.
Sources:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/yellowfever.htm
This Death By … story is based on:
This Death By … story is based on:
On September 7, 1977, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a
public warning, urging carnival-goers not to ride the Zipper after four
deaths occurred due to compartment doors opening mid-ride. The safety
restraints being attached to the door itself, riders are left
unrestrained whenever the door is open. The four victims all died after
falling from their compartments.
Sources:
Congrats Glynis, Gossip Girl, Laura and Bev Hankins! Another point each.
ReplyDeleteLaura - 20 points
Bev Hankins - 14 points
JTWebster - 7 points
Glynis - 5 points
Lynda R Young - 4 points
Cherie - 4 points
JC Martin - 4 points
Sarah Pearson - 3 points
Old Kitty - 3 points
Angela Brown - 3 points
Alex Cavanaugh- 3 points
Nicki Elson - 3 points
Gossip Girl - 2 points
Jan Morrison- 2 points
Suze - 2 points
Denise Covey - 2 points
Sia McKye - 2 points
Jemi Fraser - 2 points
Heather Gardner - 2 points
Talli Roland - 2 points
Golden Eagle - 2 points
Jayne Robin Brown - 1 point
Medeia Sharif - 1 point
Youngman - 1 point
Connie Keller - 1 point
Pat Newcombe - 1 point
Susan Roebuck - 1 point
Cathy Olliffe-Webster - 1 point
Kittie Howard - 1 point
Richard - 1 point
Journaling woman - 1 point
Christie Wright Wild - 1 point
Lydia Kang - 1 point
Danielle B - 1 point
Jaye Robin Brown - 1 point
Michael Offutt - 1 point
Carol Fleisher - 1 point
Chuck - 1 point
Maggie McGee - 1 point
DL Hammons - 1 point
Paula Martin - 1 point
Elizabeth Spann Craig - 1 point
Stephen Tremp - 1 point
Let me know if these tallies are off.
And just a hint: Not all names used in the stories will be the right name. Sometimes if I use the right name, it'll be too easy. I can't make it that easy, can I?
I'm tempted to think at least they died together. Hard to believe people would still go on a ride that was declared dangerous. Congrats on finishing. This much have been a bit of work to put together. These are a good set of shorts you can publish as they're varied and interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I never go on those fair rides.
ReplyDeleteThe saddest story was the one where the woman was stuck in the mud.
Clarissa - You wrote some fantastic stories for this challenge! I love it! Thank you for sharing them. You've given us all a wonderful perspective on some real-life events, too. Including this one.
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask if Death By Zipper was the name for a book (because I thought it would be a cool name!), until I got the end and realized
ReplyDelete1. You weren't talking about the zipper on a pair of pants.
2. People really died on a ride call the Zipper. So sad!
~JD
Last year a young couple fell from a park ride (Zipper) in Louisiana.
ReplyDeleteI think I enjoyed the Beer flood one.
Congratulations on a fantastic theme!
How creative!
ReplyDeleteOh the poor newly wed woman who sank in the quicksand/mud! That was really sad!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd this is just as bad! Good grief! Take care
x
men are always afraid of zippers....
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my worst nightmares. seriously.
ReplyDeleteGreat Z post.
T
Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI remember the hoarding one. And the one about the umbrella. And of course this Zipper one. No wonder some carnival rides freak me out :)
Great series!!
Sounds like a unique and horrifying way to die. I would be way too scared to ever sneak onto a ride; even when I was young and daring.
ReplyDeleteYikes, that's horrible! I love roller coasters but sometimes the scary thought of flying out of the restraints crosses my mind. I just gotta hope those things are made properly!!
ReplyDeleteQ stuck with me most. I can't imagine having to watch my husband drown, or he having to watch me drown. I feel so devastated for that man, and I wonder how he is now...
You did an AWESOME job, Clarissa!! Yours was definitely one of the most interesting themes. Seriously this could be a book of stories. It'd be great for release around Halloween!!
A very big well done!
ReplyDeleteFantastic job you did on your theme. I was enthralled by these stories!
ReplyDeleteThe one that still irks me is the one where they let the lady drown instead of amputating her leg!
Thanks so much for the creepy wonderful entertainment and your continued support.
Heather
The most disturbing story I think was where the lady was stuck in the quicksand.
ReplyDeleteWhat did we learn about the importance of seat belts?
ReplyDeleteOh, sad and tragic. But for me interesting, informative and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThe one that stood out for me was death by falling (it happened to a NZ actor).
Well done you!
You had an awesome theme!
ReplyDeleteAnd that poor couple! I've ridden the Zipper, and it is fun, although I can see how it could be dangerous.
I think the Death by Video Game was the most shocking one to me.
Wow! You have done amazingly well! Such great stories and such variety. I hope you are going to have a rest now!
ReplyDeleteFor me the most tragic was the lady in the quicksand, but the molasses flood sticks in my mind because you portrayed that little girl so well.
Aw, Clarissa. Young love takes a death dive. This is horrible as were all these stories. Now you should put them in a book!
ReplyDeleteThanks for high quality reading during the A-Z.
Denise
There's been a few fun park deaths in the history of fun parks. I'm not sure which one this relates to though.
ReplyDeleteI think the radium paint one has stuck with me the most. The poor women who had no idea as they painting their nails, lips and teeth with the stuff.
I'm never riding the zipper again! This totally freaked me out!
ReplyDeleteI knew there was a reason why I refuse to ride the Zipper!
ReplyDeleteGreat work, Clarissa! :)
The Zipper deaths occurred in the 1970s--there were at least four.
ReplyDeleteI think the Molasses Flood is the one that I'll think about longest. (I almost said it would stick with me longest...)
Rides scare me so I don't do them. Your stories are always great!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I go on only a few rides, and I don't like to be upside down.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing A to Z.
Wow, that's a crazy story. The details are just awesome. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWell done on completing an intriguing A to Z theme! I love amusement rides, but accidents like this are never far from my mind. Scary.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite death-by story? There are so many to choose from. The unlikeliness of dying from swallowing a toothpick made that one memorable for me. Saddest one is of the woman dying in quicksand. And Lord Carnarvon's death from a bite that everyone attributed to a mummy's curse has always been a favourite of mine.
Hi Clarissa .. loved the theme and I was late to post most days - but I'd never have known the answers.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great A - Z .. well done is all I can say .. fantastic news .. cheers Hilary
lol, I missed the answer at the bottom. Don't I feel silly ;)
ReplyDelete