Haunted River

Nagareboshi, Ippin, Priire, Rene and Chouko were at the Cloud City amusement park Funland. Chouko had been there once before and loved it so much she just HAD to go again. “I never got to ride Haunted River,” she complained. “It was closed the last time we went. It looks so spooky!”

Priire smiled. “Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt if we tried,” she said.

“Yes!” cried Chouko happily.

“There it is!” cried Rene, pointing. The Haunted River was an enclosed ride, a big, brown building that looked rotten. Twisted trees grew around it, and the whole place was surrounded by a thick mist.

“It’s decorated like that,” Ippin said.

Priire gave her a sideways glance. “You aren’t scared, sis - are you?”

Ippin shook her head, her red-and-orange hair swinging. “Me? Scared? No way.”

“Let’s go on it then,” said Nagareboshi, a tall girl with pink hair.

“This is a very scary ride,” warned the ride operator. “Very scary indeed.” Priire stifled a laugh.

Chouko hopped on the boat. “Come on you guys!” she cried. “I can’t wait!”

As they were being strapped in, a recording played. “Enter at your own risk. Not everyone has survived. Beware the monsters of Mutilation Mountain. Survive the creeps of Creepy Inn. Live through the Tunnel of Terror.”

Rene shivered. “I’m just cold, that’s all,” she said. A spooky wind from nowhere blew her pink and purple pigtails.

“The ride will now start,” said the ride operator. “Remember to keep your hands and arms inside the boat at all times.” Priire mouthed the words as he said them, causing everyone to laugh. “I’m serious, young lady,” the man said. “You must listen.”

Then the ride started. At first, it seemed peaceful and serene as the boat floated along something that looked like a bayou. Then they entered the enclosed part, where it was pitch black.

“Aaahh!” Nagareboshi shrieked as something wet and slimy wrapped around her neck.

“It’s just special effects,” said Chouko. No one knew how she knew that.

Then a huge rat-being popped up in front of their boat, its eyes lighting up red and blinking.

“Cheesy!” Priire cried.

Then, finally, there was light. They were traveling through a swampy place. They finally got up to a big, deteriorating house.

“That is so spooky,” whispered Rene.

They increased speed, rushing up to the door of the house. Just when they were about to crash through, the doors swung open. Inside, the house was old and fancy, and lit with candles. They zoomed through the hall.

“I’ve never heard of water inside a house,” said Priire.

They came into a living room with a fire in the fireplace. The big chair sitting in front of it turned around. In it sat the most hideous creature the girls had ever seen. And lifelike, too. Everyone screamed at the top of their lungs, even Priire. Their boat went closer and closer to the creature. Soon they were close enough to touch it. But they didn’t, because a trap door opened and they zoomed downward.

“I think I’m going to lose my lunch,” Ippin said.

They ended up in the kitchen, and they moved peacefully along. Ippin braced herself for a sudden speed increase, but none came. Instead the ride stopped dead.

The oven door opened and closed by itself. A teapot on the stove began whistling. The dishes began to rattle violently. They all smashed to the floor as the shelves began to rattle as well.

“This is pretty spooky,” Chouko said.

Then they went on to Mutilation Mountain. It was very, very cold as they made their descent into the mountain. Hideous beings leaped at them from all sides. A cold, howling wind hurtled through. Then they picked up speed. Soon they were in the Tunnel of Terror.

“This is the most fun I’ve ever had!” cried Chouko.

“I guess you forgot about screaming your head off back in the Inn,” said Priire. Chouko stuck her tongue out at her.

The Tunnel of Terror was slimy and closely resembled a sewer. Moss and algae clung to the moist walls and Nagareboshi thought she saw something swimming in the water with them. Then, suddenly, the ride grinded to a halt. The girls waited for something to happen. Nothing did.

After five minutes, they realized something was wrong. “I don’t think it was supposed to stop like that,” Rene said nervously.

“Maybe we better get out,” Priire suggested. “I don’t know how long it’ll take them to find us.”

“Are you serious?” demanded Rene. “That would be so dangerous...”

“I think it’s our only choice,” said Nagareboshi.

One by one, the girls climbed out of the boat and into the freezing, waist-high water.

“At least it isn’t a real sewer,” Ippin said gratefully.

Tears ran down Chouko’s cheeks. “What if we never get out? What if we disappear, just like the man said? What if-”

“It’s okay,” said Priire, her voice softening. “We’ll make it. I can guarantee it.” Even thought she wasn’t sure herself.

They waded through the water for such a long time Nagareboshi became worried. “What if Chouko’s right?” she asked quietly.

Priire was about to answer her when she saw light. “Look!” she cried. “We made it!” The five girls happily went through the door. It was dark outside now.

“You,” Priire said to the ride operator, pointing at him accusingly. “You made us get stuck, you terrified us to death, you made us get wet, AND you made Chouko cry. How dare you!”

Ippin grabbed Priire’s shoulder. “No need to get carried away,” she said, and they left the park.