The things I did

The Serpent

     "Lizzie, that thing is almost the size of you" Sarah says as she follows you and Lizzie to the next pier.

     You look over at Lizzie and see that the arms of the orangutan keep hitting the boardwalk, almost missing Lizzie's feet.

     "She's right Lizzie. Let me carry it, I don't want you to trip over the arms."

     Lizzie nods her head as she hands you the giant orangutan. The body of the orangutan itself is small, but the arms were long in length and hung low. Once Lizzie handed you the orangutan, you swung it up over your shoulder.

     You continue to make your way over to the next pier. What you didn't realize is Sarah has been taking pictures of you and Lizzie from behind. Capturing the moment you carried her orangutan. Sarah smiles to herself as she sneakily takes the pictures and shows Becky, who is also walking behind you two. Sarah and Becky giggle to themselves as they scroll through the pictures.

     You hear them giggling behind you, so you turn yourself around to face them.

     "What are you two so giggly about" you ask facing them.

     Sarah smiles at you, "Oh nothing, I'll show you later."

     With that, you turn yourself back around and keep on walking.

     The 4 of you all make it to the next pier where The Serpent is located. The ride is big enough where you can see the tracks from the beginning of the pier.

     Lizzie stops in her tracks to look at the ride, "Is that what we are going on?" She asks as she points to the white coaster.

     You nod your head, "Yes." You watch as Lizzie takes a deep breath, letting her chest rise completely, then fall. Lizzie turns to you and nods her head, "Okay."

     The 4 of you make your way towards the middle of the pier where The Serpent is located. As you approach the ride, Lizzie turns to Sarah and asks, "Sarah, are you coming on this ride with us?"

     Sarah looks up at the ride then back down at Lizzie and gives her a nod. Lizzie jumps up and down in excitement while clapping her hands. You all walk towards the main entrance of the ride, still holding the giant orangutan.

     You walk through the empty line of the ride and approach the main platform. You all scan your tickets to enter the main platform and walk through the gate that leads you to the boarding station.

     Lizzie gets situated in the seat of the ride while you put your bags and the orangutan down on the side. You walk back over to the ride and get into the seat next to Lizzie. You buckle yourself in and wait for the ride operators to come and push the lap bars down.

You turn to Lizzie, "Are you nervous?"

     Lizzie turns to look at you and says, "Kinda. But, I'll be okay knowing you're right next to me."

You smile at Lizzie and turn back to face forward waiting for the ride operators to push your lap bar down.

The ride operators make there way down the ride, pushing the lap bars down. Just before they reach you and Lizzie, Lizzie grabs your hand, but this time interlocking your fingers. A smile forms on your face as you feel your fingers lace together.

The ride operators push down on both yours and Lizzie's lap bars and do a safety check before moving onto Sarah and Becky who are behind you.

"Are you ready Lizzie?" Sarah asks from behind you two.

"I guess I have to be now that I am strapped in."

Once all the riders are strapped in, you watch the operators give a thumbs up, signaling the ride is clear for take off. The main operator in the operator booth says into the intercom "All clear, enjoy your ride."

Suddenly, you feel the ride begin to move backwards, moving you out from the main platform.

"OMG! Why are we going backwards? Why aren't we going forwards!?" Lizzie asks with panic in her voice.

"That's how the ride works! It goes both forward and backwards. For us to go forwards, it has to climb up the hill going backwards" you say to Lizzie trying to explain the ride.

Lizzie grips your hand even tighter as the ride continues to slowly make its way up the track.

Suddenly you hear the track make a tick noise and the ride stops at the top. Pure panic rushes over Lizzie's face as you wait for the ride to drop down.

"When is it going to dro-" Lizzie tries to ask but is cut off by the release of the ride.

Lizzie's words are soon replaced with screams as the ride releases and launches forwards through the main platform. The ride speeds through and heads quickly up to the first loop. Lizzie grips your hand tightly as you make your way upside down.

You continue through the rest of the ride where you reach the other side, now going up.

"There's no track at the end of this (Y/N)!!" Lizzie says, still panicking.

"That's because we are going to ride backwards now" Becky says with excitement in her voice.

The ride reaches the top and quickly releases sending you and Lizzie flying backwards into the track.

Lizzie continues to scream at the top of her lungs until the ride makes it way back to the main platform.

"Is it over?" Lizzie asks with her eyes closed, tightly gripping your hand.

You giggle, "Yes it's over now, you can open your eyes."

You watch as Lizzie slowly opens her eyes and let's out a breath of relief when she realizes you are back at the main platform.

The rider operator releases the lap bars and Lizzie lets go of your hand to unbuckle herself. You both get up from your seats and walk off the ride - but now before grabbing your bags and Lizzie's orangutan.

     "So Lizzie, what did you think of that one?" Becky asks as she follows behind you and Lizzie.

     "It was a bit intense, but I didn't hate it. I would need a lot of convincing to ride it again" Lizzie says as you all walk through the exit.

     "Well, there is one more ride on the boardwalk that goes upside down" you say to Lizzie.

     Lizzie let's out a sigh and looks at you, "Alright, let's do it. I want to go on all of them."

     With that, you make your way over to the last pier to ride The Great Nor'easter.