The Nightmare
Uploaded by SBihsnum on Feb 13, 2001
I couldn't wait for my family and I to take our annual vacation. It was during those times that I enjoyed myself most. I had anticipated this vacation to be the best. After all, I was going to Disney World, which was the greatest place in the world. Little did I know I was about to embark on a journey that would leave a permanent scar in my memory. The incident took place more than twelve years ago, yet I can recall the date and time as if it were yesterday. The date, Saturday, June 20, 1988; the time, 2:00 in the afternoon. The sun was at its peak and felt as if it was hot enough to fry an egg in the middle of the street.
As the large doughy hand reached down to grab mine, I began to panic. My palms began to sweat and I could feel my heart pumping wildly. This giant monstrosity before me was huge. I had never been so frightened. The closer the hand got to mine the more intense my heartbeat. The faster my heart raced the more frightened I became. I could hear my mother's sweet, faint voice from beside me saying, "Go ahead, honey, shake his hand." I remember looking at her and then looking at the hand getting closer to me. I couldn’t take it anymore and immediately took off like a bolt of lightening. I was running to save my life. I ran through hordes of people who were talking so loudly I couldn't hear myself think. I had no idea where I was going. The sweet smell of cotton candy was in the air. I could feel gum underneath my shoes and I could see traces of peanuts on the ground. I continued to run faster and faster. As I continued to run I could hear a song repeating the same words over and over again. The words were simple yet very agitating. “It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small small world after all.” Those words rang in my mind and I can still hear them today.
There were lots of other kids around that looked to be my age having the time of their lives. Yet I was beyond frustration and was having the worst time of my life. I eventually slowed...