Chapter 7

"Where's Batman or Superman When You Need 'em?"

Acting as we had agreed upon, we split up to find clues as to the disappearances that had been taking place at Six Flags New Orleans. Fred and I made our way to the western side of the park where the DC Comics Superheroes Adventures section was located. Seeing the park brought a deep sense of sadness to anyone who read the comics or who had idolized the DC Comics as a child.

"Look at this," gasped Fred, seeing all of the overgrown trees and weeds that engulfed the park. "Look at all of the overgrown vegetation. I feel sorry for all the comic fans down here."

But Fred couldn't reflect on broken nostalgia and we had to start looking for clues immediately.

Right away, our first clue was that this was a newer section of Six Flags New Orleans judging from the youth of the area. There was something about this section that brought the youth here, but I wasn't sure how.

Once again, I felt the strange breathing on the back of my neck, but I didn't say anything to Fred as to further upset him with my sudden outbursts.

"I say we go through each ride and see if we can find any clues," Fred suggested to which I agreed.

Our first ride that we combed was the Catwoman's Whip. Like all the rides, the trees and weeds were now blocking anyone from looking at it.

"Part of me believes that the one doing the kidnappings was hiding in the bushes," suggested Fred, going into the ride's entrance and peeking through the brushes. "I mean, wouldn't you say the same thing?"

Of course, being the determined leader that he was, Fred decided to go into the brush to demonstrate his beliefs. Naturally, being the feminine one, I refused to go in. But there was something else about this park that caused me to get a strange feeling in my stomach.

"Daph? Wouldn't you?"

"Wouldn't I what?"

"Hide in the bushes."

"Yeah, let's comb the area for clues, why don't we?"

Fred stood perplexed at my sudden suggestion, but he said nothing. From the looks of it, Catwoman's Whip looked like it was brand new, given that the seats and seat belts were still looking fresh, despite the damage from the water.

Looking into one of the cars, I saw what appeared to be someone's cell phone lying at the foot. The seat belt had been lifted up meaning that someone was trying to simulate the idea that they were riding the attraction.

Taking my gloved hand, I picked up the phone and tried to turn it on, but to no avail.

I then noticed what appeared to be a dried blood mark on the car's right side. From the look of it, it had been a few days since it happened.

Suddenly, I heard the sounds of footprints coming from the back of the ride.

"Fred!" I called, looking up to see if Fred was near me. "Freddie, do you hear that?"

But, I heard nothing. Fred was nowhere to be found. Thinking it was my imagination, I returned to the investigation.

Then I heard the footsteps again.

"Fred, this is not funny!" I cried, beginning to get very nervous. "If this is one of your practical jokes…"

Just then, I felt something begin to move and the ride began to miraculously move on its own. I heard no machinery, no mechanical sounds, nothing. Falling forward, I couldn't begin to comprehend just what was happening to me. Much to my further horror, I discovered the ride was already into the air and started to move to the right. Terrified, I tried to get off, but a spiritual force threw me into the seat and forced the seat belt on me.

"Help! Help! HELP!" I screamed, as the ride began to spin me around. I couldn't bear to think what was going on. I was on a ride that seemed to be working fine beyond belief. For several agonizing minutes, I continued to spin around wildly and with each rotation I made, the ride began to pick up more and more speed.

After a few moments, I found myself becoming loose from the ride and without warning, the car jerked forward, pushing me towards the ground. Now, I was becoming paranoid. Then, just as if I had seen it all…the car flipped upside down and dropped me out of the ride, much to my terror.

…

Landing on my back, I looked up and saw the ride starting to slow down and eventually come to a full and complete stop. It took me a few moments to get back on my feet, but fortunately, Fred came running in.

"Daphne, you okay?" he asked as I got up and dusted the dirt off of my suit.

"That was terrifying," I whispered as Fred rubbed the back of my shoulder. "But none…the worse for wear. Did you find anything?"

Picking up the plastic bag he had evidence in, Fred showed me what he had found: a cell phone like the one I had, a shoe and a switchblade knife.

"Where did you find them?" I asked.

"In back of the ride. Right in front of the area where it says Gotham City Bank and Trust."

I then noticed a small rip on my suit jacket, much to my irritation.

"If this was a bank, I would take all the money to get a new suit," I remarked bitterly.

"We can't worry about that now, Daph. Let's keep going."

Much to my fashionable chagrin, we proceeded on with covering the DC Comics Land, turning our attention towards the Joker's Jukebox, hopefully this time without any ghostly interventions.

But then, we were just about to leave the park, when we noticed what appeared to be a whip lying on the ground. Just as Fred bent down to pick it up, the whip mysteriously came up and tied itself around Fred.

"FRED!" I screamed as a black hand holding onto the whip began to materialize, followed by an arm and finally, a skinny looking body of a woman dressed in a skin tight cat suit.

"Hello, Daphne," the woman said,as I looked on in horror. "Allow me to introduce myself: I am Catwoman, hear me roar."

…

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