Squeeze Play by Cal Ripken Jr

Author:Cal Ripken Jr.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult - Fiction
Publisher: Disney Book Group

The big waterslide at Gusher World was called the Drop of Doom. Standing at its base and squinting up at its summit, which almost seemed to touch the clouds, the Orioles could see why it had that name.

The Drop of Doom was seven stories high, for one thing. A nearby sign noted that riders could reach speeds of between forty and fifty miles per hour on the descent. Not only that, but riders would also hurtle for several seconds in total darkness inside a narrow plastic tube before being catapulted into the flume below.

“Let’s see if I understand the concept here,” Sammy said. “It’s not enough that this ride will terrify everyone who’s scared of heights. It’ll also freak out anyone who’s scared of the dark and has claustrophobia, too.”

“Great,” said Justin nervously. “I’d rather go back in the ocean and take my chances with the sharks. Or swim with Freddy the Gator. I’m outta here.”

Gabe grabbed him by the arm as they watched a young couple drop into the gleaming silver slide and shoot downward. “Look at that guy and his girlfriend!” he said. “Don’t they look like they’re having fun?”

“Are you out of your mind?” Justin said. “Listen to that high-pitched screaming. And that’s just the guy.”

“C’mon,” Corey said, “what’s the worst that could happen?”

“Aside from death, you mean?” Justin said. “Oh, lemme see…concussion, whiplash, broken limbs, severe bruising, internal bleeding, possible heart attack. I’m sure I left something out.”

“Dude,” Gabe said, “twelve-year-olds don’t have heart attacks.”

Justin peered up at the slide again and sighed. “Trust me,” he said, “if there’s a way for a twelve-year-old to have a heart attack, I’ll find it.”

They watched in silence as a few more riders climbed onto the platform at the top and seemed to drop from the heavens. Finally Gabe clapped his hands and began peeling off his shirt.

“I’m doing it, dudes,” he announced. “The Drop of Doom doesn’t scare me. Anyone else coming? Or are the rest of you a bunch of sniveling girlie-men? Uh, no offense, Katelyn.”

Katelyn shot him a look. “None taken, dorkface,” she said. “I mean, why should I be offended that you just demeaned my entire gender with another of your hideous stereotypes—this one straight from the Paleozoic era?”

The rest of the Orioles said, “Ooooh,” and pointed at Gabe, who threw his hands in the air and backed up, laughing.

“Whoa! Easy, girlfriend!” he said. “All I’m saying is, we need to stick together. So we should do this as a team. Go up as a team and—”

“Die as a team?” Justin murmured.

Gabe rolled his eyes. “No one’s going to die, Justin,” he said. “Now let’s go. We’re wasting valuable time.” He put his hand out, palm down. “Are we doing this as a team or what?”

One by one, each Oriole put a hand in the middle and repeated, “Team.”

Finally even Justin joined them. “One request: closed casket if anything goes wrong,” he said, before throwing a clammy hand on top of the others.

Now there was only one hand missing.

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