Short Stories

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Late in the day and tucked away in a far corner of the park…at a distance hardly an attraction that would seem to draw, yet a steady stream mostly young meandered in its direction. Above the twilight silhouetted heads, misty beams of sparkling blue spiraled through the sky to a discordant driving tune. When closer the colors grew more compelling and the blend of music and voices of amusement barely subdued the bone-like cracking and clacking of gearing machinery.

Lines gathered like spaghetti in a dish. Those waiting to board, all for the very first time, though clueless as to their ultimate experience, pressed onward emotion-filled. The expectancy of a great new thrill, even danger, kept movement churning forward.

Once past the ticket gate, riders were wholly committed having sacrificed their last dollar to the jovial huckster. Ears tickled with squeals of laughter and nostrils flared with incensed delights giving rise to latent passions and relaxation of mental faculties – a surging group catharsis in sync with its invisible conductor. The promise of near pleasure was all consuming. Any check of truth had long departed.

The cold cracking and clacking not so discernable earlier now jarred the senses but did little to slow the pulsing push. With a siren sound the eerie trail of cars emerged from a dark curving tunnel along crimson-stained steel tracks and with open cars came to a sudden stop in front of the crowd. The restraining gate lifted.

A rush of flesh ensued, arms and legs swinging and squeezing as more and more bodies pressed into the tightly filled cars. Soon all were ready. No time for questions. No chance of exit. The ride was to begin.

“Strange”, one thought while standing and waiting for a later departure, “All these ecstatic souls rushing to get in, but none returning to step out.” But it was something in the park food he had eaten earlier that bothered him more. It had been a bit spicy. Then the music resumed and it bothered him no more.




“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come…lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God;” 2 Timothy 3:1,4


This is a purposefully macabre characterization of the sweeping allurement and destructive powers of today’s drug culture, but is not worthy to be compared to the victory and glory that belongs to the believer in Jesus Christ.

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