“Emily!” I yelled. “Emmy! It’s time to go home. Come on out wherever you are. The game’s over.”
She must be playing hide-and-seek with me like she did the other day in the grocery store. My patience was growing thin. I knew I shouldn’t have let her talk me into bringing her with me today. But, she begged and pleaded and said how much she hated staying with old lady Jobe on Saturdays while I tried to earn enough money to feed us.
Mr. Parker, the owner of Pixieland amusement park, had been generous enough to give me a job, even knowing I wasn’t old enough to work. Truth be told, I’m sure he felt sorry for me. Such a young girl on her own trying to take care of her little sister.
“Emmy! Where are you?” I looked under the empty chairs on the tilt-a-whirl then moved on to the carousel, sure she was hiding behind one of the horses or benches. She’d jump out any minute and yell “boo!” Then she’d giggle and I’d reprimand her for hiding and scaring me.
Sweat trickled down the back of my neck and my stomach growled. Funny how the atmosphere of the park changed when all the laughter from children was gone. I shivered in spite of the heat. Where was she? This game wasn’t funny anymore.
“Tom, have you seen my little sister anywhere?”
Tom methodically wiped down the safety bars on the rollercoaster. He was an odd man, tall and thin with a full beard and black mustache that curled at the sides of his mouth. He had a habit of chewing on it. Mr. Parker seemed to collect strays.
He never looked up. “Saw her get on the roller coaster.”
“Okay,” I said. “Did you see where she went when she got off?”
“Nope.” He paused and sprayed Lysol on a rag. “Didn’t get off.”
My heart pounded. “What do you mean she didn’t get off? She’s only six years old. She couldn’t just jump off. Are you sure she got on it?”
Tom nodded. “Yep. I’m sure. Wasn’t on it when it came back around.”
My hands shook. “And you didn’t bother to say anything to me? She could be hurt or…”
I couldn’t even say the words.
I took off running. The soles of my shoes pounded against the planks beside the Wooden Warrior keeping rhythm with my heart. “Emily,” I screamed. “Emmy! Where are you?”
Thanks for tuning for the first episode of “Amusement Park.” I’ll put up a new segment every Sunday.
Wow Jan. I am actually panicked after reading this! I can’t wait to see where this goes.
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Lol! Me too, Denise. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. I have some twists in mind that I don’t think the readers will be able to figure out.
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That break you took must have given you this idea, Jan.
I feel like D. L. Finn, and I wonder how many weeks you’re going to keep us in suspense!
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Lol, Sarah. Actually, the idea came to me a couple of months ago, but I had to let it sit. I think you’ll enjoy the plot twists and hopefully I can keep the readers guessing. Thanks for leaving a comment. Hugs!
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What a powerful opening for your story! The situation is terrifying; if she didn’t get off, she must not have got on. Oh gosh, like D.L. I panic at the possibilities. Must know more…
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Thank you, Gwen. It is so hard for me to make terrible things happen to my characters, so I’m practicing. 🙂 I hope to keep the readers guessing. Hugs!
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Tension galore. Now that’s how to hook readers.
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Yay! Thank you, Craig. I am stretching another writing muscle.
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WOW, Jan. Another terrific story. Excellent. You hit every parent’s fear with this one..
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Except there apparently are no parents…Thanks for stopping in, John.
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😀
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Wow, Jan. Amusement parks and people disappearing on rides. No wonder they’re so popular.
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Akkk… darn my fat fingers. As I was saying… Can’t wait to see where this goes, Jan. I know we’re in for another terrific ride. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. I appreciate you stopping by and glad I caught your attention. We shall see where it goes. Hugs!
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Oh Jan, you are a Wiley one. Doing it to us again, keeping us on the edge of our seat until next week. I love these stories . I sure hope she’s okay. Oh the intrigue!
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Lol, Tonya. I am so glad you stopped in and that you are intrigued. I have such a hard time making horrible things happen to my characters, so I am practicing. 🙂 Love you!
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Great opening to your new story, Jan! I don’t want to think about what happened to the girl. Maybe aliens — the outer space kind? A black hole? Or something more sinister that is so common these days? Wow! My mind is whirling. Love you, sister!
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Ah, we shall see. I have some “different” plot twists in mind. I am so glad you stopped by and left a comment, sister. Love you!
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Very scary, Jan. Plus I have a “thing” for stories that involve a. circus, carnival or amusement park. Can’t wait to see where you take this. Where could she have gone?
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Thanks for stopping by, Mae, and leaving a comment. It will have some interesting twists to it and I think everyone will be surprised. 🙂
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Just the thought of a missing kid at an amusement park made my skin crawl, Jan. Now the mystery of the roller coaster. Great start and a fantastic hook. I need you to post part 2 right now. Ha ha. Happy Writing! 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Diana. I am glad this first episode left you wanting more!! Hugs!
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Holy crap, Jan, you sure have a knack for writing suspense! When will Part 2 be posted? 🙂 ❤️
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It’s a totally different genre for me and especially when I have to put my characters through horrors. My soft heart aches for them.:) So, This is a writing exercise for me. Sorry, I forgot to post that I’ll put up a new segment every Sunday.
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You’re a natural, girlfriend ❤️
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All I can say is “More!” I hope that little girl is okay!
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Thank you, Mark. I hope she is too.
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I have fun reading part 1 and so you have responsibility to post the next, just joking. It was a lovely story.
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Keep looking. There are several more segments up on this page.
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