Doorway to Death

  by Chase Edwards

  Published by Charles Edwards at Smashwords

  Copyright 2022 Charles Edwards

  Charles Edwards also known as Chase Edwards

  Published 2022

  I dedicate this short story to my friends at Quora and beyond.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either fictitious or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental.

  DOORWAY TO DEATH

  My “Doorway to Death” short story was originally submitted as an assignment in a Short Story Writing Class at Pima Jr. College in 1975. Since I saved it for the past 47 years, I’ve decided to self-publish it. I hope you enjoy reading it. It’s been something I hoped for one day to share with you. (Chase)

  As we get ready to meet Dody and Jay (who are the main characters), I’ll let you decide their ages. In 1975, I was 29 and considered them to be around my age, but now in August of 2022, I’ve decided that the age of either or both of them could be advanced or even be as young as teenagers.

  Now, this short story begins.

  Dody and I had decided to spend today at the amusement park. It sounded like such a good idea when we were making our plans.

  “Dody, it seems like we’ve been waiting for hours.”

  “I know it does, and I sure am getting tired of standing in this line.”

  “It’s okay with me if you want to give up on it. There are plenty of other rides that have shorter lines. Let’s go on something else and come back later.”

  “Jay, I don’t think that would be any better. There are too many people wanting to go on this one. I’m sorry for complaining, Jay. I really do want to wait if you don’t mind.”

  “All right; wait it is.”

  “Jay, you really don’t want to go on it. Do you?”

  “I don’t know. It would be terrible if something went wrong.”

  “Don’t be silly; nothing will go wrong. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I can hardly wait to see what our friends have been raving about. It’s been advertised as the fastest amusement ride in the world. I think you’ll like it, too.”

  “I wish we could see what it looks like.”

  “So, do I. Those high walls sure do make you wonder about it.”

  “Well, what do you know, we’ve finally made it to the ticket booth.”

  “How many, sir?”

  “Two please.”

  “Have a good time, and be sure you both hold on as tight as you can.”

  Dody is smiling.

  “Did you see that sign on the door?”

  “Yes, I did. That seems rather strange. Doesn’t it?”

  “Jay, I’m so glad that we came today; otherwise, we would have completely missed knowing what it was like.”

  A man is opening the door to the small cart we will be riding in.

  “Dody, do you want to sit on the left or the right side?”

  “I think I’ll take the left; that way I won’t be tempted to jump out.”

  Dody is laughing. She seems really excited. She is stepping through the archway. She is still laughing. Now it’s my turn to get inside. We are both ready to go now.

  The sound of a shrill siren is getting louder as the ride is about to begin. The lights are flickering rapidly.

  “I hope you enjoy yourself, Dody.”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  “Hold your breath; here we go.”

  Dody is starting to scream. Her screams seem to echo from one to the next. She is staring at me.

  “I didn’t think it would be like this, Jay. This has to be the worst experience I’ve ever had. Thank goodness it finally slowed down. Do you think it’s almost over?”

  “No, it just started. Here we go again.”

  “Oh no, Jay, it’s going faster than before. I wish that guy would let us get off. How much can a person take?”

  “Dody, I’m sorry for laughing, but you should see your expressions. You really look funny. My laughter is so wrong. I know, darling.”

  “This isn’t funny; I’m really scared. This is nothing to laugh at.”

  “It’s slowing down, again; so, you can relax for a few seconds.”

  Music was coming over the loudspeaker, but it has stopped, and a man is speaking:

  “Now that we’ve gotten warmed up, it’s time for a change in directions. Instead of going forwards, we will be going backwards and at double the speed. Let’s all scream and experience a new kind of excitement. Let the music take you to your destiny.”

  Dody looks frightened beyond belief.

  “Honey, I don’t think I can take this any longer. He said we are going to go faster. That would be more than I can take.”

  “It shouldn’t last much longer. You’ll be okay; don’t worry about it. Close your eyes if you want. Just don’t let go of this bar--whatever you do.”

  The man was not kidding about the speed. I have to admit this is something else. The turns and dips were exciting before, but now it all seems very strange. Something must have gone wrong.

  “Jay, when are we going to stop? I’ve screamed until I am hoarse. I’m so sore that I can’t scream any more. Oh no, oh, oh, Ieeeeee.”

  “Dody, I don’t want to alarm you, but this isn’t right. The music is still playing, but I don’t see any other people around at all. I don’t know what’s happening.”

  To my dismay, Dody has fainted. Her weight is pushing very strongly against me from the whipping force of the speed.

  “Oh no, Dody. Wake up! Honey, you must wake up. The door has swung open, and I don’t think I can hold us both in here much longer. Please wake up. You have to hold yourself inside. I’m losing my grip.”

  There’s a brief pause from Jay as this story ends:

  “Help! Help!”

  The End

  ###

  Thank you for reading “Doorway to Death.” I greatly appreciate you for traveling with me back to 47 years before this was actually published and through the rest of the process. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave me a review at Smashwords. Thank you!

  Chase Edwards

  Connect with Me:

  Email: chase70story@gmail.com

  Website: My Personal Website

  YouTube: My YouTube Account--Chase4everChase

  Quora: My Favorite Retreat

  Here’s my interview at Smashwords: Smashwords Interview with Chase

  Here’s my Autobiography: The Chase Story--My First 70 Years

  Here’s my 2nd e-book: Chase’s Dream Journal 2010-2019

  Here’s my 3rd e-book: Cry for You; Cry for Me; Cry for Them!!

  Here’s my 1st short story: Queen Gloria

  Here’s my 2nd short story: The Boy and the Mask

  Here’s my 3rd short story: Harvey Hunk and His Family

  About the author:

  Chase Edwards has been living in Tucson, Arizona, since 1968. He is a Veteran from the Vietnam era and served four years in the United States Air Force. Chase plans to continue encouraging others to follow their dreams and to truly feel their feelings.

  My Other E-Books:

  I wrote my autobiography in 2016 and titled it: The Chase Story--My First 70 Years. That was a lifetime dream that materialized. Currently, if you would like to download a free copy of my e-book, here’s the link:

  The Chase Story--My First 70 Years

  I published my next e-book in 2019 and titled it: Chase’s Dream Journal 2010-2019. Currently, here’s the link to a free copy of it:

  Chase’s Dream Journal 2010-2019

  I published a mystery novel e-book in 2020 and titled it: Cry for You; Cry for Me; Cry for Them!! Currently, here’s the link to a free copy of it:

  Cry for You; Cry for Me; Cry for Them!!

  I wrote a short story that I saved for 45 years before publishing it in 2020 with the title of Queen Gloria. Currently, here’s the link to a free copy of it:

  Queen Gloria

  I published another short story in 2021, and it’s a true story:

  The Boy and the Mask

  I published another short story in 2022 about a mouse:

  Harvey Hunk and His Family

  ---

 

 

  Chase Edwards, Doorway to Death

  Thanks for reading the books on GrayCity.Net