The bitter cold breeze nipped at my face and hands, and the line of waiting ride goers seemed to stretch out into infinity. They were tired, I was tired, and my family was tired. We had seen the sights of Disneyland for most of New Year's Day, along with thousands of other happy tourists. But now the morning's brightness and enthusiasm had evaporated as the sky darkened.
One by one, the stars came out, and the moon, partially visible through the gray clouds, shone a wavery yellow light. My ears rung from the screams of howling babies; my feet were sore from waiting in endless lines; and I was grumpy from my full day.
"Why do we have to go on this ride?" I whined. I combed my fingers through my long, messy brown hair, and then stuffed them in my pocket. I pushed up my glasses but they fell back down again. "I'm tired. I want to go home." I yawned. I was staying up past my 9 year old bedtime, and it showed.
My mom replied, "Brian wants to go on it, so we'll go." Brian, my older brother, nodded.
"It'll be fun!" he assured me.
We were standing at the very end of the line for Star Tours, the most popular ride in TomorrowLand. Brian, interested in all things about outer space, had convinced my parents that we needed to go on one more ride. The metal sign ahead of us read forbiddingly : "APPROXIMATE WAIT FROM THIS POINT : 45 MINUTES." The crowd ahead of us crawled forward like a turtle.
The minutes ticked away like hours. My eyes drooped as I leaned on my mom... Step by step, we moved up in the line very slowly.
"Carol! We're almost there!" My eyes flew open at my mom's statement. We were actually at the front of the line! I had butterflies in my stomach as we were ushered in a small, dark room with rows of cushioned seats. As I walked down a narrow aisle to a seat, I asked Brian, "Is this ride scary?"
"No, it's fun." replied Brian. Relieved, I buckled into my small seat and settled back. The rough-but-soft texture of the chair tickled my legs.
A short video was shown about buckling into your seat. I focused on the huge screen in front of me. The lights in the aisles turned off.
The funny looking robot on the screen said that he was our guide on a peaceful tour of outer space. We prepared for takeoff, and I sighed peacefully. Just what I wanted - a peaceful ride!
Then BANG! Something happened! I jolted upright as the robot turned our spaceship in the wrong direction... Gaining speed, we were hurtling through outer space! My eyes were as round as dinner plates as I bit my lip in anticipation. What was going on?
Fear ran through my mind as the ride became bumpier. I shrieked as my tiny seat rolled front, back, and side to side. Stars and planets flew past as my stomach churned within me. I had never been on any kind of roller coaster, and I hated how my stomach seemed to go down to my feet and then into my mouth. The hamburger I had eaten for dinner was now in a dangerous position! But I was too breathless to throw up - I was terrified, cringing as we went upside down, then faster, crashing into spaceships and comets. The noisy sounds of the people and ride made the swirling madness even worse! The room, unlighted excepts for a few streaks of color, made it impossible to see my family. Where were they? Sweat ran down the back of my neck. I couldn't stand it!
I clamped my eyes shut and clung to the chair for dear life. "Briaaann? HELP!" I was so dizzy - dizzy and scared and lost. The noise swept over me like a wave as I bent my head and wished desperately for an end. Would this ride go on forever? What if I fell off? Would I die? Where was my family? My heart beat lightning fast as I opened my eyes a slit - just a slit - and blurrily saw us crash into something big and tall.
BANG! Suddenly my chair stopped and threw me backwards. I watched incredulously as other laughing people got off the ride. Hey, there was Brian! And my little brother Alan! And my mom and dad! My legs felt like Jell-O as I shakily stepped out of the room. My stomach settled into a quivering blob. I was alive! I had survived! I praised God as I stumbled out into the chilly night air. I leaned against the rough wall of Star Tours and closed my eyes.
My first roller coaster was over, and I had survived.