Iain Kelly

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR

Jess watched the children. Smiling, waving , spinning. Shouts of glee filled the air.

Behind the music and laughter the metal gears of the amusement ride clanked and creaked.

Hearing that mechanical jolt Jess froze, staring into the past and hearing the screams. A flash of twisted metal, upturned carriages, sirens.

‘You okay?’ her mother asked.

Jess nodded. ‘Let’s go.’ She had faced her demons. She had been one of the lucky ones.

Awkwardly she turned, fumbling the crutches. She grimaced through a spike of  phantom pain below her left knee.

They left, passing the queue of expectant smiles.

amusement-park-jhardy
Copyright J Hardy Carroll

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Iain Kelly

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106 responses to “ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Great story, Iain. So much packed in to 100 words

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Neil, appreciated.

      Like

      Reply
  2. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    So realistic, as indeed it has been the reality for a number of young people. It’s funnythat when you’re younger you don’t think of these rides as being ‘risky’, just thrilling. When you’re older you don’t see them as being anything else. Well done.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sandra, as a parent it’s a conundrum to let kids go on these rides – they don’t fear the way the parent watching does!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar
    Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

    There have been some dreadful fun ride disasters. You captured that perfectly with the girl not there for fun but to overcome her phantoms (both from amputation and memory) whilst those waiting, oblivious, smiled in anticpation. Great writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much Irene

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Varad Avatar
    Varad

    Very evocative writing, Iain. It’s always better to face your demons and hope to get some closure.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Varad

      Like

      Reply
  5. Anna Rymer Avatar
    Anna Rymer

    An all too recent reality. I wonder if that other side of the fair is more in people’s minds than it once was – or is that just the invincibility of youth leaving me.
    A great story Iain with some great atmosphere – it really took me there.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Anna – as a parent I know look at these fairs in a very different way than when I was a kid.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. J. E. Kennedy Avatar
    J. E. Kennedy

    This is intense. Very well written. I love the contrast of her fear and the excitement of others.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much.

      Like

      Reply
  7. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    Great that Jess dared to visit the same place that has such terrifying memories…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Anita

      Like

      Reply
  8. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    That’s a big story, Iain, even though it’s only 100 words. So much emotion hinted at so subtly. Excellent!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Penny, very kind.

      Like

      Reply
  9. beautyswot Avatar
    beautyswot

    This is so vivid!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much

      Like

      Reply
  10. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    Intense and well written. You’ve packed so much more story into 100 words. Applause!

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Rochelle

      Like

      Reply
  11. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    One of your best, Lain. Really makes one stop to consider about using these rides.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, very kind

      Like

      Reply
  12. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    I like the new layout. Good story this week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you – a new year refresh.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. James Avatar
    James

    Well that was terrible (not the writing, what happened to the child). I know these rides do occasionally go wrong with horrifying results.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks James, there have been a few high profile examples over here in the last few years, probably because a lot of them are now ageing.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    Great story. I had thought about writing about an accident on a carnival ride, but I think you nailed it better than I would have done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Very kind of you to say so Trent, thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    …and that’s why I don’t go on those rides! A top take Iain.

    Click to read my FriFic!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s true, although of course 99% of the time absolutely nothing goes wrong.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    Wonderful job at getting the reader caught up in the fun and innocence of the fair and then capturing the emotion of a girl who had a terrifying incident at the fair.. You can say so much in such a small amount of words!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, so much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Jane Dougherty Avatar
    Jane Dougherty

    Hmm. That one packed a punch.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Jane, I hope that is a ‘hmm’ of approval!

      Like

      Reply
      1. Jane Dougherty Avatar
        Jane Dougherty

        Yes, it should have been a Mmmm.

        Like

  18. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    This is al too chilling – especially after some of the fairground accidents in recent years. Well told Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Lynn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Lynn Love Avatar
        Lynn Love

        My pleasure

        Liked by 1 person

  19. scr4pl80 Avatar
    scr4pl80

    Very moving, Iain. I haven’t been on rides in quite a while but we used to go every summer to the Boardwalk. My girls just got back from Disneyland. Good thing I didn’t read this before they left!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Don’t let it out you off! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Susan A Eames Avatar
    Susan A Eames

    Wow! That was unexpected and beautifully done – loved it.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Susan 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  21. Christine Goodnough Avatar
    Christine Goodnough

    Bravo for her! Well told; I can feel her shudders as the flashback comes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Christine.

      Like

      Reply
  22. JS Brand Avatar
    JS Brand

    Brilliant as ever Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, too kind.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    So brave to face her fears… sometimes you just have to do it, take the next step and leave the other life behind her… great writing

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Bjorn, very kind.

      Like

      Reply
  24. Siobhan McNamara Avatar
    Siobhan McNamara

    A chilling story very well crafted. I’m admiring Jess’s courage while reading it but at the same time I’m picturing my own children on funfair rides and hearing the clank and creak of the mechanism

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Siobhan, hope it’s not enough to make you stop them having fun – it’s still a very rare occurrence.

      Like

      Reply
  25. k rawson Avatar
    k rawson

    This unfolds beautifully. Loved the contrast of present vs. past, as well has the interior life of the POV contrasted against the setting. So much story packed into so few words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much, very kind.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    Boom! The phantom limb really packs a bunch. Nicely done all the way around.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Alicia.

      Like

      Reply
  27. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    what a great mother she is. her positive attitude is truly engaging.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you – the first to mention the mother character.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    So very well done. Facing one’s fears in this case … I dunno. Would she ever go on a ride again? Does she really have to? Then again,she seems to have needed to do so. What a strong kid!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dale – not sure if she will ever make it as far as going on a ride again, which is a shame in itself.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        True, but you know… there are other thrills in life!

        Liked by 1 person

  29. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    Wonderfully written, Iain. It felt like reading the first page of a famous novel.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Too kind Moon, thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  30. anuragbakhshi Avatar
    anuragbakhshi

    Poignant and evocative. Now that she has taken her first step, so to say, towards facing her monsters, I’m sure she will be able to defeat them comprehensively.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. Akshata Ram Avatar
    Akshata Ram

    That must be a horrible memory to live with

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Absolutely. Thanks for reading.

      Like

      Reply
  32. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Such a horrible memory to live with, and be reminded of every day. Very well written!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you very much.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  33. rgayer55 Avatar
    rgayer55

    We quit riding those at the county fair and other traveling carnivals years ago. The permenant ones at amusement parks are far safer, but still have occassional mishaps.

    You did a great job here making this real and personal. Very tightly woven and compact. Excellent writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Russell much appreciated. We tend to stick to the smaller, gentler rides – what’s the worst that can happen if a horse falls off the carousel?

      Like

      Reply
  34. Madison Woods. Or maybe today I'm Ima Erthwitch, my other alter-ego. Avatar
    Madison Woods. Or maybe today I’m Ima Erthwitch, my other alter-ego.

    Yep, I think I would have passed on the ride, too. Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much

      Like

      Reply
  35. Kelvin M. Knight's blog Avatar
    Kelvin M. Knight’s blog

    There’s not a lot of amusement in that fare, but to face her fear, to stand up to it. Bravo. Bravo. Great story of inner strength, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Kelvin

      Like

      Reply
  36. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Oh gosh… you hear it happen all the time… must be terrifying for that split second. Happiness turned to horror.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      The fact it is usual kids out having an innocent good time makes it all the more horrifying.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  37. Joy Pixley Avatar
    Joy Pixley

    Daring to face the scene of your greatest fear takes courage, and you painted that well! Of course, the chance of being injured on a fair ride are tiny compared to chance of injury in a car accident, and yet our minds don’t work that way. We fear the unusual thing, the tragedy that made it to the news (which car accidents don’t, precisely because they’re so common) and have gotten used to crossing the street and driving in cars without terrifying ourselves every time.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Absolutely, we have an irrational fear of being injured at fairgrounds, when the chances are nothing will happen – much like the fear of flying in aeroplanes – hundreds of thousands of flights happen without incident.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Joy Pixley Avatar
        Joy Pixley

        Exactly! Airplanes are remarkably safe, especially compared to cars. But when a plane does crash, everyone hears about it and overestimates the risk they personally will face flying, because it feels so salient — and scary. If people were comparably scared about driving, we’d have a lot fewer people on the roads!

        Liked by 1 person

  38. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    Incredible the way you said so much in only 100 words, a full and intriguing story! Great job! =)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Brenda 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  39. Dan Bohn Avatar
    Dan Bohn

    -metal gears of the amusement ride clanked and creaked.- I need more action words. Where do you find them? Great present time flashback story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much Dan

      Like

      Reply
  40. subroto Avatar
    subroto

    Phantom pain expresses so much more than any graphic description. Great story about facing and overcoming your fears.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you kindly.

      Like

      Reply
  41. Sascha Darlington Avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    Facing fears, so important.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Certainly is. Thanks Sascha

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  42. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    Good for her. I don’t think I would go back.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  43. tedstrutz Avatar
    tedstrutz

    Phantom pain, nice way to explain her story, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  44. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    So well told: the joy of the young and expectant ones interwoven with Jess’s life-changing experience. The mix of sweet and sour making her emotion, and facing her demons, all the more powerful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Sarah Ann.

      Like

      Reply
  45. mumpoet Avatar
    mumpoet

    I like your take on this and your focus on the absolute fear in the MC as opposed to the excitement . Great use of language to describe the rides.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  46. magarisa Avatar
    magarisa

    Thanks to your descriptive writing, the story felt so real. At times, I’ve wondered about those who’ve lost loved ones to accidents at amusement parks.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, very kind.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  47. ahtdoucette Avatar
    ahtdoucette

    Creepy reminder of how dangerous “fun” can be and how sometimes we need to face our demons anyway, to move on.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Anne, much appreciated.

      Like

      Reply
  48. patriciaruthsusan Avatar
    patriciaruthsusan

    That was a brave child. I don’t know if I could do it under the same circumstances. Good writing, Iain. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Suzanne 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  49. patrickprinsloo Avatar
    patrickprinsloo

    A challenging tale. And those accidents haven’t stopped, have they.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Afraid not, still shocking every time they happen.

      Like

      Reply
  50. The Reclining Gentleman Avatar
    The Reclining Gentleman

    It’s not just the physical hurt that needs time to heal. A well written scene, Iain. I was reminded of the accident at Alton Towers last summer and that some had suffered, in that clinical understated phrase, “Life-altering injuries”.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. Yes, that incident and a couple of other recent similar ones was on my mind when I wrote this. A very understated phrase.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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