'The Beast'
22nd of June 2006, 10:30am. I, along with thousands of others, have been waiting for this moment for years. This was the most important time of my life. Nothing, not even the world cup final, could make me feel what I was feeling now. The excitement, the thrill, the adrenaline.
Over my shoulder I heard the unmistakable sound of screams coming from the petrified passengers. I spun around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the monster that I would be boarding shortly, but no. It had shot off at a remarkable speed around the corner and had disappeared into the darkness of its tunnel. Then I heard its roar again. It had found its way round the winding track, and flew past me like a bullet from a gun. I leapt back in shock, and I could feel my heart in my throat. Then there was silence. It had stopped. I could see it parked as twenty-six more people bravely stepped into it and strapped themselves in. Their faces demonstrated how afraid they were. Each one of them had fear in their eyes. I could tell, just by looking, that this ride is not for the faint hearted. One man on the front row could hardly bear it. His forehead was covered in sweat and even from my position I could see him shivering. He was terrified.
I heard shrill voice from the control station. 3. 2. 1. And they were off. 0-120kph in 2.5 seconds. There were ear-splitting screams as the beast shot forward. It rocketed towards the sky and then without warning it shifted direction and with astonishing speed disappeared into the ground. I was too excited to move. My feet were glued to the ground and all I could think about was getting onto it.
22nd of June 2006, 10:30am. I, along with thousands of others, have been waiting for this moment for years. This was the most important time of my life. Nothing, not even the world cup final, could make me feel what I was feeling now. The excitement, the thrill, the adrenaline.
Over my shoulder I heard the unmistakable sound of screams coming from the petrified passengers. I spun around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the monster that I would be boarding shortly, but no. It had shot off at a remarkable speed around the corner and had disappeared into the darkness of its tunnel. Then I heard its roar again. It had found its way round the winding track, and flew past me like a bullet from a gun. I leapt back in shock, and I could feel my heart in my throat. Then there was silence. It had stopped. I could see it parked as twenty-six more people bravely stepped into it and strapped themselves in. Their faces demonstrated how afraid they were. Each one of them had fear in their eyes. I could tell, just by looking, that this ride is not for the faint hearted. One man on the front row could hardly bear it. His forehead was covered in sweat and even from my position I could see him shivering. He was terrified.
I heard shrill voice from the control station. 3. 2. 1. And they were off. 0-120kph in 2.5 seconds. There were ear-splitting screams as the beast shot forward. It rocketed towards the sky and then without warning it shifted direction and with astonishing speed disappeared into the ground. I was too excited to move. My feet were glued to the ground and all I could think about was getting onto it.