Dark Ride by Todd Loyd Page A

all, his own relationship with Blair is downright ugly. Still, he could not help but feel a little sympathy for shy Amy.
    â€œThis is the best view in all of Cassidy Falls,” Jack proclaims.
    He watches with interest as Amy ducks her head, ready for the first big drop.
    Jack grins. He likes this. Something about the vulnerability intrigues him.
    Whoosh , whisp , zoom !
    A knot in Jack's stomach tickles him as they plummet down the hills and whizz around corners. Amy is laughing and no longer seems intimidated by the thrill ride.
    â€œIsn't this great?” Jack yells.
    After another corkscrew and a quick plummet, the voyage is over. It's only taken 30 seconds, but they have enjoyed every last twist.
    â€œThat was great! You guys wanna ride again?” asks Amy, who is excited by the thought.
    â€œNope, Amy. We have a tradition here. Now we go on to the Dutch Swings.” Mason points to the next destination just ahead.
    â€œThat was a blast, Jack. I can tell tonight is going to be great.”
    The other two boys are up ahead. A twinge of guilt rises somewhere within Jack. He hesitates and then says, “Yep, we're going to have fun.” But, he thinks, At least three of us are , with a hint of disappointment in himself.

Chapter 12
    Just outside of the Hall of Mirrors Mason pulls Jack towards him. “Just follow our lead.” From the corner of his eyes, Jack watches as Scotty distracts Amy.
    â€œAll right, Jack, we only have one shot at this. We all know the place pretty well. You hang back a little behind Amy with Scotty and me when we get about halfway in. When she climbs through the spinning tunnel, we all high-tail it back to the entrance and go to the Enchanted Forrest without her.”
    Mason waits for confirmation from Jack.
    Hesitantly, Jack nods.
    â€œJack, what's gotten into you? You are with us, right?”
    â€œSure, I'm with you.” Even as he says the words, Jack knows he does not want the plan to work. It seems a little cruel to him, and he's really not minding Amy's company.
    Scotty calls to the other boys. “You guys ready?”
    The companions move to the front doors. “After you, mi-lady,” Mason says with more than a little deceptiveness in his voice.
    Stopping at mirror after mirror, they enjoy the various reflections the mirrors cast.
    At one particular mirror, Scotty laughs at how stumpy the mirror makes Amy look.
    â€œGosh, Amy, you look like a hobbit.”
    â€œThanks, Scotty, these mirrors are supposed to do that.”
    â€œI know, but you look ridiculous,” Scotty giggles.
    â€œKnock it off.”
    Jack wonders, Is Amy upset? Surly she knows Scotty is only kidding? She did look kind of funny—everyone did. Still, Jack cannot deny that in spite of whatever she looked like in the mirror, Amy Carnahan is one very cute girl. As soon as the thought pops into his head, he chastises himself, thinking, Where did that come from? That's it, one step over the line. I'm actually checking out Scotty's little sis. Gross, Jack, she's practically your sister, too. But, try as he might to force the attraction out of his mind, he is defenseless against the new line of thought. It's like he's seeing her in a whole new light. He tells himself, This is the girl who was obsessed with Barbie dolls and tea parties not four years ago. Now she's attractive? Stop it Jack , but then has to reconsider, No, Amy Carnahan has become a babe . His attention is now focused on the girl. He can't take his eyes off her. He watches her closely and soon gathers that something is wrong. Her demeanor has changed. She's obviously avoiding the mirrors. Jack wonders if Scotty's insult bothered her that much? Although Jack will admit that he does not understand the opposite sex—by a longshot—he knows it has something to do with the way she feels about herself.
    Jack's psychoanalysis comes to a halt when Mason blurts out, “Looks like were coming to the middle of