Wendy sat beside Ian, feeling pure adrenaline hammering throughout her body. Her heartbeat pounded not only in her chest, but her temples as well. She held onto the tiny metal handlebars that were on the harness, slicking them with her own sweat. She listened to the heavy clatter as the coaster continued to rise, climbing steeper and steeper, and steeper. She say there, glancing over at Ian who was craning his neck, looking down below. From this height, you could see everything. The entire amusement park looked beautiful, but at this exact moment, nothing looked beautiful. This wasn't her senior night, on the verge of starting a future. This wasn't the night she had just gotten engaged to the man she loved. No, something was off. From the moment she sat down, she knew this had been a terrible mistake. Lewis continued to cheer, as everyone yelled out in surprise as the coaster paused for a second at the top of the hill. Wendy sucked in a deep breath, before it started racing down. At pure speed, Wendy screamed at the top of her lungs, feeling her stomach drop.
The coaster continued to speed racing down the spiraling tracks when suddenly, something went wrong. The coaster went speeding up the loop, causing them to go upside down for just a second. When the coaster began going down another ramp, something happened. Suddenly the entire cart began to wobble, shaking back and forth and going ten times faster than usual. Wendy grasped onto the cart when she happened to glance over and see Ian, she saw how scared he looked. For the first time ever, she actually saw him scared. That's when the harnesses lifted. Instantly Wendy grasped, trying to hold hers down as the screams filled the air. Sparks flew up, as a terrible smell of burning rubber filled the air, as the cart continued to speed even faster. Wendt blindly grasped onto Ian's hand, as the other tried holding down her harness. That's when she saw the first cart break off at a sudden bend. She watched as her friends were thrown up into the air, screaming, and crashing down to their death. Erin screamed, her harness lifting completely before she fell out as well, her screams echoing. Ian screamed her name before Wendy glanced down for only a second, seeing the ruined remains seventy or so feet down below. The next turn caused Lewis to fly out of his seat. Ahead, Wendy saw Kevin nearly lift out of his seat before grasping onto him. The coaster started going through a series of spirals when a large piece of metal flew. Just in time Ian and Wendy watched as the others ducked and it hit Lewis causing him to fly off, hitting metal behind them. For a brief second Wendy thought she felt blood splatter on her.
Screaming, feeling tears roll down her face, she fought to stay in her seat. That's when the coaster went up to a loop before stopping completely. There, eighty feet above, they hung upside down, with nothing to strap them in. Instantly the most horrible cramp went through Wendy. She cried, nearly losing her grip of trying to brace her legs inside the cart, and hold herself up. When she looked up, she saw the crotch of her jeans were bloody. Crying out, Wendy then watched in horror as Ian fell out, grabbing onto the harness, he hung before staring up completely terrified. Wendy's eyes widened.
"IAN! HOLD ON!"
Ian tried, his face flushes, the cords of his neck straining before he lost his grip and fell. Wendy watched as he screamed, falling down before dropping down. Just barley making out his blood splattered body below, Wendy cried out. Two seconds later two other girls with their hoods up fell down screaming. "Wendy! Hang on, I'm gonna try and rock us back!" Wendy stared forward, and saw him sitting still in his seat. Her hair was hanging in her eyes, and the terrible pain in her stomach was making her light headed. Seconds later Kevin tried pushing his body weight to make the cart go back. She heard the squeaking of the wheels as Kevin shouted he almost had it. That's when the cart started speeding backwards. Wendy grasped onto her harness before a large metal pole cut Kevin in half. A huge splatter of blood went on her face, causing her to scream, as his torn body fell backwards in the cart. Crying, now completely alone, Wendy felt her cart hit something before she was thrown out. Falling forward, she watched as she went spiraling down towards one of the tracks. Her eyes huge and watering, she held her breath before...
Wendy snapped out of it. Sitting there, she looked around. She was sitting in the cart, on the ride, next to Ian, ready to leave. Suddenly she looked around, unable to believe these vivid images all happened within thirty seconds in her mind. Tears filling her eyes, she looked around in panic before Ian wiped the gum from his hand.
"Ah fuck!"
Wendy grasped for his arm, before shaking.
"What's wrong?"
Wendy instantly froze. Everything seemed to stand still before she heard the worker ready to signal that it was good to go. Straining her neck, she screamed.
"NO DON'T PUSH THE BUTTON! DON'T PUSH THE BUTTON!"
Ian looked over at her.
"Wendy?"
Wendy began to thrash in her seat, struggling.
"LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT!"
Her friends ahead started to crane their necks back to see what was the matter. Crying, Wendy threw her head back.
"LET ME OUT THE COASTER IS GOING TO CRASH IT'S GOING TO CRASH!"
Ian tried talking to her but she continued to scream. Instantly some of the harnesses lifted, before Wendy nearly tripping fell out, grasping into her chest. Ian followed, putting his arm around her. Wendy nearly fell again, crying, feeling completely hysterical.
"The hydraulics will rupture! The tracks will collapse, please!"
Two of the workers came over.
"What's the matter?"
Wendy tried catching her breath, tears blurring her vision.
"I saw it in my head, the ride is going to crash..."
That's when Lewis stood up, glaring.
"McKinley will you please control that bitch? The hydraulics will rupture the coaster! She's just looking for some fucking attention!"
Ian spun around, staring up at Lewis who was more than a foot taller than him.
"Hey your a real piece of shit you know that? Fuck you!"
"Fuck moi? No fuck fuck you!"
He went to swing a punch, before Ian grabbed onto Lewis' massive shoulders, both guys fell in a tackle before Kevin jumped up from his seat as Erin watched in shock. Racing over he tried to help Ian off Lewis who were rolling around by Wendy's feet. A few people got off, watching before the workers pulled them apart. Ian flipped off Lewis who kept shouting at him. The worker told Wendy to relax before pulling her arm as the others were ushered towards the exit. That's when Wendy heard "Nobody else off this ride!" They nearly made it out when Wendy heard the buzzer. The coaster was in fact still going. Freezing, she watched.
"Oh God..."
Spinning around, she raced past Ian who had a bloody lip and ran towards the main dock. Instantly she watched as Erin, Jason, and Carrie were still going up the tracks.
"NO!"
One of the workers came out of nowhere, nearly tackling her. Wendy continued screaming that the coaster would crash before Ian appeared out of nowhere and helped her up. He glared at the worker.
"Get off her!"
The worker, a massive man grabbed Wendy and Ian by the collars as if they were children and dragged them towards the exit. Seconds later they were going out a side door, the night air hitting her hot and tear stained face. Barley making it down the steps, Wendy continued to cry. The worker kept asking for her home phone number. That he could call her mother. Ian shouted at him to leave her be, that she's just upset and needs to relax. Kevin was hurrying over, having used the main exit. His hands in his pockets, his eyes concerned.
"What's up?!"
Wendy continued to cry as the worker pulled her.
"She can relax at home!"
That's when the horrible screeching noise came as Wendy, Ian, Kevin, and the worker all froze staring up. There they watched the first cart crash off the rails, falling off. Wendy felt her heart drop before Ian stared up, his face crumpling.
"ERIN!"
That night...
Wendy had been sedated at the hospital and her parents picked her up. Now home, she slept on her bed, completely unaware of her parents talking downstairs. The accident was all over the news, Playland was closed, and tons of firetrucks, ambulances, and police cars were all over. The state police were claiming it was the worst accident they had ever seen. Seven high school students including Carrie, Jason, and Erin had been killed. A state inspector was currently investigating what caused the ride to fail. Her parents had shown up at the ER relieved to see Wendy okay. By then the doctor had all ready injected her with a syringe since she couldn't stop crying. The police had briefly questioned her, having all ready heard from the workers about what had happened and how badly Wendy had carried causing herself, her boyfriend, and several other McKinley seniors to walk off. She wasn't on any drugs, and hadn't been drinking. Wendy felt she could barley answer the questions, and just said she saw it in her head and got a funny feeling.
This was the first time something like this had ever happened. The police questioned Wendy's parents, and everyone else who had gotten off the ride. Wendy knew this was because they wanted to see if she had anything to do with what caused the crash. She stayed in the private room crying, and wanting to see Ian. Instead, from the moment the ambulances and police cars showed up just minutes after the crash they were separated. After getting the syringe, she felt sleepy, her vision cloudy. She was helped into her mother's car, and driven home. After changing, her mother helped her to bed before brushing back her hair. "Honey, what really happened?" Wendy too tried and too drugged out to speak simply bowed her head and cried even harder.
Finally her mother soothed her, petting her hair, and stroking her face before laying her down as she did when she was a child. Julie, who had snuck back home without her parents nothing, shuffled into the doorway pretending to have just woken up, rubbing her eyes. "What's wrong?" Her mother waved at her telling her she would talk to her in the morning. Julie paused for a second, having raced out of the park after the accident, lucky that nobody had seen her. She had been getting hundreds of text messages about what happened, and couldn't believe it. If Wendy hadn't of said anything, they all could have died. Scared, she nodded, and turned going back to her room. After an hour or so, Wendy's mother left her nightstand light on where a framed photo of Ian smirking, taken just a few months ago sat. She pulled put the sheet, and left her daughter to rest. Wendy slept, all the while being trapped in an endless fog of nightmares, hearing the terrible noise the coaster made before the screams came.
4 days later.
"Now, let us pray."
Wendy stood in a simple black dress and boots, looking across at Ian who wore his suit jacket, and a loosened navy blue tie. He looked a wreck, circles under his eyes, his hair flat as he sat next to his father, and step-mother who was sobbing against an older woman. Wendy stood alone, and stared down at the simple coffin between them. Inside was Erin. Thinking of that day when Erin came to her, confessing her feelings, she felt completely heartbroken. Erin was just a misunderstood person, who meant the world to Ian. now she was gone. Seventeen, and dead. This harsh reality still hadn't completely sunk in to her. Just yesterday was Carrie's funeral, where she seen Kevin. Ian hadn't made it. In fact, besides one brief phone call since the accident, they hadn't talked. The accident was still all over the news, and the state inspector claimed it was a freak accident caused by leaking hydraulic liquid even though the ride had been inspected just two months before. This was the worst accident the town of McKinley let alone the state had ever seen. The wave of shock was hitting all over as memorial services and vigils were being held. Wendy had stayed home for most of this besides Carrie's funeral. Her parents and Carrie had gone with her since Carrie had been her best friend for years.
Her family were all there, weeping at this horrible tragedy. Before walking to her car, Kevin passed by, his eyes red and raw from crying. Wendy had been questioned just once more yesterday afternoon after the funeral. Two state F.B.I agents came, asked her some questions before leaving. Wendy knew they were writing it off as just blind luck. That she had gotten a bad feeling and that was that. Wendy knew better, and knew how the rumors were starting. At Carrie's funeral everyone stared at her as if she was a freak, wondering how she knew? Was she psychic? Was something wrong with her? Still, she knew after Erin's she wouldn't be able to handle anymore. She had seen this happen, and still didn't stop seven people, friends of hers from dying. She was grateful that Jason's funeral was going to be private. Over and over again she kept thinking of that night, and how yet again Jason put everything on the line only to be shot down.
His friendly face kept appearing to her. Ian had called yesterday after almost two days of complete silence. Wendy stayed inside, curled up on the sofa watching the news reports and feeling her stomach twist and turn even worse. Her parents had been kind and understanding, but she sensed they were afraid to talk to her. Julie sat beside her, not saying much, just watching the news with her. At one point late last night, Wendy checked her phone for what seemed like the 100th time, seeing still no messages from Ian, Putting her phone down, she glanced over at Julie who was chewing on her nails and watching the latest report. Looking around, she made sure her parents weren't around before asking if she had seen the accident? Julie glanced over before shaking her head.
"I left by then..."
Wendy nodded, knowing there was no use in saying anything else. Instead she just sat there, looking at the ruined remains of the coaster over and over again on the TV, knowing how close she had come to dying. Finally when Ian called, his voice sounded flat, she knew he had been crying. Wendy hurried to the next room asking if he was okay?
"Yeah...listen Erin's funeral is tomorrow at McKinley cemetery around eight. Can you come?"
"Of course...are you okay?"
"Listen, I'll talk to you then...I gotta go..."
"Ian..."
He then hung up on her. Wendy stared at her phone before her entire face crumpled up and she began to cry. She figured her hormones were all out of whack by the shock of what happened, and lack of sleep. Today she dressed, and went, instantly spotting Ian and feeling her heart hammer in her chest. She never thought she would be so relieved and happy to see someone. Still, she knew to keep her distance. Her parents had offered to go with her but Wendy said this was something she needed to do herself. She stood there, among the crowd, staring at Ian, feeling her heart break over seeing him in so much pain. Once the final prayer was said, everyone started to slowly break apart. Turning, Wendy figured maybe she should just go. Instead, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks for coming."
Wendy looked and saw Ian standing there. Instantly all emotion caused her to lose control. She threw her arms around him, squeezing him tight, crying her head against his shoulder, before breaking down completely. A few distant family members walked by, glancing over before heading towards the cars. Ian stood with Wendy, holding her before Wendy pulled back, her eyeliner running.
"I'm so sorry Ian...I'm so sorry..."
Ian gathered her up in his arms again, holding her tight. Finally, they broke apart, Wendy feeling her face hot and puffy.
"Um, do you wanna get out of here, take a ride?"
Wendy nodded quickly before glancing over at the crowd of people walking away.
"Don't you need to get back?"
Ian shook his head.
"No, I just wanna be alone with you for a while okay?"
Wendy nodded, holding his hand as they made their way to her car.
Later...
Ian and Wendy sat inside the Ruth McKinley boathouse. Another historical point in town, build by Ian's great, great, great grandfather who named the boathouse after his late wife Ruth. The boathouse was usually used for big town events, but today the sailboats that were usually kept there were taken out for week. Nobody was there, so Ian used one of his father's keys to let them in. Right now the two of them sat on the hardwood floor, against the antique row boats mounted behind them. Both sat side by side, still in their funeral clothes, staring ahead. It was a beautiful warm June morning, and both had been sitting there, up against the wall talking.
"Wendy...how did you know?"
Wendy stared forward before shaking her head.
"I don't know. I was getting that funny feeling like I told you about, sat down, and it happened like a movie playing in my head. Only it happened for like thirty seconds. Its as terrible. I watched everyone die...I watched myself die. I could feel myself thrown out of the cart, I heard the screams...I watched you die."
He stared at her, his eyes intense.
"How?"
Wendy felt tears building.
"I don't know...I'm not psychic, I've never gotten visions before, or anything like that. I can't explain it. At Carrie's funeral you should have seen the way everyone was looking at me, like I was some sort of freak. Carrie's mother wouldn't even talk to me. I've always been in such control my entire life and it just keeps repeating over and over and over again in my head. I know I could have done something more to stop it. I'm so sorry I didn't get Erin off the ride..."
Tears were streaming down her face before Ian shook his head.
"No, I should have. I was supposed to look after her, I always did and the one time..."
Wendy watched as tears rolled down Ian's own eyes. Seeing him like this, Wendy reached forward, gathering him in her arms. She stroked his thick hair, before she felt him start to sob against her. Hating this, she felt her own tears coming.
"I'm so sorry Ian..."
Ian then pulled back, his dark blue eyes watering, and his flushed. Reaching into his pocket, he took out the small ring box. Wendy and him stared at it, before Ian sighed.
"I brought this hoping you would come...I completely understand if you don't..."
Wendy took the box, opening it up before slipping the ring on her finger. Feeling tears glissen in her eyes, she sniffled before sadly smiling. Reaching forward, she gathered him back in her arms, stroking his hair. She heard him start to cry again, and sat there, feeling her heart break for him. She somehow felt responsible for all of this, and just wished for one second everything that had happened in the last four days would finally stop. It felt as if they were on this coaster, and the speed still hadn't stopped. Her friends were dead, and she couldn't understand why. Just then Ian pulled back, tears still spilling from his eyes before he reached and gently cupped her face.
"I wanna forget, help forget..."
Wendy lifted an eyebrow before Ian's hands started to fumble, trying to unbutton his dress. Wendy stared at him before nodding. Reaching forward, she deeply kissed him, feeling his tears against her own skin. Ian opened her dress, before laying her back down. Wendy laid back, her hair pooling behind her, before Ian slowly slid off her panties. Once they were off, he undid his belt buckle, and unzipped his fly. Carefully, he straddled on top of her, before slowly leaning down. Wendy took deep breaths, before Ian adjusted himself, and slid in with one push. Wendy gasped, instantly stiffening, before Ian groaned, and laid down, resting all his weight against her. With a buck of his hips, he started moving inside of her, while Wendy held onto him, running her hand through his hair as she stared up at the wooden rafters of the boathouse.
Later...
Wendy was buttoning her dress while Ian buckled his belt. He glanced at her, carefully.
"Are you okay?"
Wendy nodded before she glanced down at her watch she had borrowed from her mother for the funeral.
"Oh shit..."
"What?"
"I have an appointment. I'm going to be late, I can drop you off..."
"No it's okay. I want to avoid the house right now...I'm probably going to just stay in the park. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, my doctor just wants to do a check up, after what happened he called up and wants to look me over. hopefully no brain tumors or anything..."
Ian's face dropped.
"That's not funny."
Wendy sighed.
"Sorry..."
"Want me to come with?"
"No, it should be quick. Listen, why don't I come by tonight. I don't wanna sleep alone."
Ian nodded, before walking over to her. Squeezing her hands, he pressed his forehead against hers.
"Come by around nine, everyone should be gone by then."
Wendy hugged Ian before he walked her out to her car. He watched her drive away, raising his hand before turning and walking towards the tree line. Wendy drove, before glancing over at her engagement ring, sparking in the sunlight. Sadly smiling, she sighed loudly wishing there was anything she could do to stop Ian's pain.
Later...
Wendy sat on the table inside her doctor's office. He had looked her over, ran some quick blood work which was coming back from the lab within the hour. He was currently out of the room to get the results and get some sleeping pills for her.
He didn't mention the accident, but while shinning the pen light in her eyes, had told her there had been cases before of premonitions happening to perfectly healthy people. Things that just couldn't be explained. When he left, Wendy stood, before looking down at her ring. She had doctor Dr. Weber glance at it, but didn't say anything while he was examining her. Wendy figured he wanted to leave it be. Finally he came in, holding her chart.
"Well Wendy your blood work has come back."
"No brain tumor?"
The doctor smirked.
"As far as we know but if there's more tests you would like for us to run I'll be more than happy. But there was something we found."
Wendy raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Dr. Weber sighed, crossing his legs.
"It appears you're pregnant. Nearly nine weeks."
Wendy sat there speechless.
That night...
Wendy laid awake, staring up at the ceiling in the darkness of her bedroom. The same bedroom that last summer Ian and her had painted together on what she believed was their first official date. Laying there, having said she had a headache and excused herself upstairs, she stared unable to speak or think. Her phone lit up for the third time. She knew it was Ian.
She hadn't shown tonight. In fact, she didn't even call. Laying there, she sniffled, checking her phone and sighing when she saw Ian's number. Tossing the phone back, she reached into her nightstand draw before pulling out her engagement ring. She had taken it off after her doctor's visit. Holding it up in the darkness, she felt tears blur her vision again. Tossing it down, she laid back, her hand sliding down her flat stomach, wondering just what she was going to do?