Ghost train to no-where

"Hi Rory, hi Pippa." I said as two of my best friends approached holding hands.

"Hi Charlie" they both said in unison.

Pippa and Rory are two of my best friends. Us and Pam, one of my other best friends, all hang out together nearly every, single weekend.

My names Charlie, I’m 15 and in year 10 me and Pam (year 10) both go to Rossett School with Rory, who is 13 and in year 8. Pippa’s in year 10 too but she goes to Gramby. She and Pam are 14 because their birthdays haven’t been yet.

Pippa and Rory are going out and have been for about 3 months, 2 weeks now. They’ve been out before but Pippa dumped Rory after about 5, 6 days, although Rory likes to keep quiet about this fact.

Pam used to live in Leeds but in the last summer holidays she moved in down the street from me. Pam’s going out with Rory’s friend Matt in year 9.

We hang around at ‘the blocks’ where Rory, Pippa’s grandma and Matt live.

This weekend the fair was here and we were meeting up to go.

"Where’s Pam? Is she late again?!" asked Rory impatiently.

"That’ll be her now," I said as I heard the gate.

"Hi. Come on then, let’s go!" Pam said and we left heading for the bus stop to go into town.

We went into town for 2½ hrs until the fair opened. Then at 1:30 we set off to the stray. When we got there it was eerily quiet with no one but the ride operators there. We just put this down to the fact that most people go later on in the day. We all headed straight to the biggest ghost train I had ever seen. It must have been brought on no less than 4 lorries and it was huge!" The sign said ‘50p per person, today only!’

"We have to go on this. It looks great!" proclaimed Pippa "I’ve never seen such a big ghost train and only 50p. Well cool!"

"I’m not sure," said Pam "it looks too real."

"Don’t be such a right sissy" We all said although Rory didn’t look so sure as he said it.

"We’ll all go together. I mean it’s only a ride. What’s the worst that can happen!" I said confidently. Pam agreed to go but still look uneasy.

It was running at the time, so we had to wait to get on. Th weird thing was that when it stopped nobody got off. I just presumed that the exit must be at the back. So I climbed onto what could have been my last ride ever.

When we had all got in the door closed and it was pitch black. We climbed into the ride car, me and Pam in front, with Rory and Pippa behind. Pippa got a little scared so Rory put his arms round her and kissed her calmly.

"Thanks. I needed that." She said cuddling up to him.

"This isn’t the love boats you two!" I said jokeily "It’s meant to be scary, but so far the only thing scaring me is you!" Pam laughed but stopped when the car jerked suddenly into action.

Deeper into the ride we went!

"I don’t remember it going this far back." I said beginning to worry.

"I know. And we’ve gone so far down, we must be underground." Replied Rory behind me.

The car came to a slow stop and a deep, booming voice said. "Come here if you want the fear that you paid for!" With a silent nod of agreement we followed the sound on foot.

After about 5 minutes of walking it started to get lighter again and we could see around us. We weren’t in the ride anymore that was for sure we were somewhere I didn’t recognise. Definitely not in Harrogate!

A sudden bang made Pippa grab hold of Rory in fear. As she calmed down I noticed a door had slammed shut behind us. I led trying not to stop or seem nervous. Pam followed with Pippa and Rory at the back hand-in-hand.

We reached the end of the passage after about 15 minutes walking. A huge moat, surrounding a massive castle was ahead of us. I spotted a rickety bridge, we slowly, and very nervously crossed it, taking great care. Before we entered the castle we promised to stay together no matter what happened.

After a fearful pause Rory and me heaved the heavy, wooden door open and we cautiously passed through.

Once we were in the castle it became very dark and we started shivering but not from the immense cold. Pippa grabbed my shoulder and frightened me half to death.

"I don’t like this! Can’t we leave?" she said.

"I wish we could, but I don’t think there’s anyway out. We’ve paid and they want to give us the full ride." I replied. Everyone could hear the fear in my voice especially me.

"Don’t worry. I’ll look after us all." Said Rory to Pippa trying to sound brave but failing miserably.

"What's that? Over there? Something moved I’m sure said Pam sounding scared.

"I saw it too." Said Pippa nervously.

"Let’s try follow it, it might lead us off this nightmare ride." I said

"I don’t think we’re on the ride anymore!" Said Rory matter of faculty.

"Come on!" I said with little confidence.

We followed the movement until we reached a huge room with no doors apart from the one we came through and after Pippa and Rory had entered that to disappeared.

We were trapped in the dark, damp room with no way out! I sat down on the floor, in the corner, close to giving up all hope.

Rory put both arms around Pippa and squeezed her tight trying to convince her, and himself, that everything would be ok.

"Hey look!" Pam broke the silence, "Up there. It’s a ladder isn’t it?"

We all went over and looked. She was right and it looked like it would pull down.

"Give me a leg up." I shouted to Pippa feeling as though my voice might not break through the gloom. She came over and cupped her hands together. I put my put in and grabbed the ladder.

"Ok let go. I’ll fall and pull the ladder down, don’t worry I won’t be hurt, it’s not far down." So Pippa moved away. For about 30 seconds I just hung there before the ladder started to shift and ease me down to the ground.

When it touched down we all climbed up in turn and after what seemed like hours I hit the roof. I shouted down to the others a few steps below each other. First to Pam, then Pippa and lowest down Rory.

I pushed at the ceiling and without too much effort a drain sized hole lifted out. One by one we climbed out relived to see the sun again. We were in the church graveyard. I checked my watch, it was 6pm 5½hrs after we’d got on the ‘ride’.

Rory grabbed hold of Pippa and kissed her but not like earlier. He wouldn’t let go of her for about 5 minutes. Pam had gone very pale so we sat her down on a raised grave until she regained her natural colour.

That night we all stayed at Pippa's house, talking about the day’s events, glad to have escaped.

The next day we went back to the fair. It was busy and the ghost train had disappeared to be replaced by an arcade stand. Everything was as it should be. We breathed a sigh of relief and headed for the Waltzers.

Charlie Dean 23/5/2002