Ride on a Scary Roller Coaster

“As we stood in line, I got more scared. “I don’t know, guys,” I worried out loud. “It looks really big from down here.” Finally, we reached the front of the line. I sat in a seat with Jackie and vowed that I would not let go of her hand until we were safely off the ride. I was getting more scared by the second. I squeezed Jackie’s hand so hard I was sure I heard her yelp. As soon as we started moving, I began to scream. Every single person on the ride looked at me as if to say, “What is her problem?” We started to climb the slope toward the highest point of the ride. Ka-klink-ka-klink-ka-klink-ka-klink. I squeezed her hand even harder. I squeezed it so hard that I can’t believe she still has a hand. I knew I couldn’t make them stop the ride now. I was done for. WHOOOOSH! It felt as if something in the tracks had snapped. We started falling - falling fast. The wind blew so hard it seemed like my face would blow off. I screamed so loud I couldn’t hear myself anymore. Oh my gosh, we weren’t going to stop! We would crash through the thin wooden paneling. I knew it. This had been a terrible idea. I closed my eyes and held on for dear life, never ceasing my high-pitched scream.”

“My hands were shaking from the fear I felt. My sister assured me again that it was going to be OK. Even my father encouraged me to go on with them. So I felt pressured to give it a try. Seeing the majestic heights of the roller coaster and other rides gave me goose bumps. I started to freak out and become pessimistic about the situation. “What if those buckles unlock and I shoot out?” I thought to myself. I shook for 30 minutes as the line got shorter. As I got closer I could see the tremendous speed and height of the roller coaster. “Why did I say yes? WHY DID I SAY YES?” I freaked out even harder (on the inside). [...] Soon, there was a loud blaring noise to signal that the roller coaster was starting. It moved really slowly as we climbed up a steep incline. My eyes were closed. As I was able to feel us going up, I heard what sounded like metal gears rattling. “Please stop, please stop going up!” I yelled. I opened my eyes for a second to see where the roller coaster was. But all I saw were endless tracks that we still hadn’t gotten up to. In a few seconds, the rattling noise stopped. I opened my eyes, wondering if we’d stopped. But nope, it was at its peak getting ready to drop. Soon, everybody started screaming. I was caught off guard without any preparation when the roller coaster went downhill with grand acceleration. And that was pretty much it. Without realizing it, my eyes were actually open and I was enjoying it. I was enjoying it a lot.”

“But yesterday I took the leap and got on Fury 325 first thing in an attempt to overcome my fear finally at almost 34 years old. I almost chickened out several times, but they kept encouraging me and I got in that seat, got locked in, body violently shaking, extremely scared. And I rode that hill. Here's where my story is different than others; I didn't overcome my fear riding it, I think it made it worse. I was so tense during this ride I almost passed out, and my fiancé said I was bone white. The "airtime" in my experience just was an extremely uncomfortable sensation and I felt like my entire insides were being shifted. I hated it and couldn't wait for it to be over.”