A Purple Top Hat

     I sprinted around the grounds, my heart beating so fast it might burst. As I stopped, 

I took in the scenery around me. Abnocious county fair music blared in my ears a little 

too loud. People shoved and pushed themselves around me as they made their way to a 

ride. While examining them i noticed how little concern they had for anyone but 

themselves. And then I heard it, the blood curdling scream of my little sister. My feet 

set into motion in the direction of the noise. As I ran I yelled to the bystanders, 

“Someone please help! My little sister she...”. No one bothered though, anyways its 

pretty normal to hear screaming at an amusement park. 

     In the rush I sprinted down the path past the Farris Wheel. She had to be here, I 

heard her. Where is she? Almost immediately after I asked the question, I heard in 

response a cackling laugh. It made my toes cringe and trickled down my neck like a cold 

piece of ice. Turning directly around I saw him. A young man in his 20’s, wearing a purple 

top hat, black jeans, and a t-shirt with a black bow tie attached. He smiled creepily at 

me and twirled the black baton in his hand. “Where’s my sister”, I growled at him with 

all the strength I could muster. His voice came out raspy, like he’d smoked too many 

cigarrettes “Don't worry, she’ll be along. Iv’e simply put her in storage. You see, if you 

cooperate we shall both get what we want”. “What are you talking about? Look if you 

don’t give me my sister I’ll... I’ll... I’ll call 911!” I said shakily as I pulled out my 

cellphone. “Now before you do any thing stupid, do hear me out. At this very moment 

your sister is, let me just say, sitting on a bomb of my personal making. I need only press 

this button, and it will detonate. We wouldn't want that now would we?” he said pulling 

out a small black remote, and stroking the center button. “What do you want from me?” 

I growled at him. “Now that just it, isn’t it? There are soo many things I want but only 

one will suffice.” I rolled my eyes and began tapping my foot impatiently on a dirt 

mound at my feet. “You are going to do a favor for me. Let me just say I have a 

particular love for amusement parks, their so fun aren’t they?” he grinned at the nearby 

roller coaster. “Cut to the chase.” I said haughtily. “No matter no matter. Although I was 

considering tampering with a rollercoaster a bit, just to kill a few people. However 

lately my ideals are set on other matters, I need money and I need it now. And you, you 

are going to get it for me. No don't deny me, I know who you are.” 

     I couldn’t believe it, he had planned this. Yes I was the daughter of the manager 

here. I have lived and breathed every day at this stupid park. My father trusted me and 

made sure I pulled my weight in the family, so naturally I knew every passcode and lock 

sequence there is. But how could he know? I’d never seen him hear before? As he 

whipped out a cigarette from his ripped jeans, I pondered my possibilities. There was no 

way out of it. Either my sister lives and we lose all the money, or my sister dies and the 

money is saved. I knew what I had to do. However I still wondered exactly how much he 

knew.

     “How exactly do you plan on using me to get ‘your money’?” I said snottily. “Watch 

your tone brat, your sister’s life lies in my hands”. “WWhat do you want me to do?” I said 

half sobbing. I couldn’t stop them, the tears rolled down my face and I began to sob. 

However remembering my sister I pulled myself together, I have to do this, I have to 

stay strong. 

     “Believe me, you know what to do. Go and fetch it for me. But do consider, I have 

eyes on you. One peep, one slight sign of suspicion to anyone, one movement towards 

your phone, and your sister is dead. You wouldn’t believe how many eyes I have on you. 

If I do not have the money within the next thirty five minutes, you can count on being an 

only child. Just a warning, be careful or your sister, well lets just says it won’t be open 

casket.” he said flicking his cigarette towards the brush. “Before I leave I demand proof 

that she’s alive, I won't do your bidding without some evidence”, I said insistently. He 

smiled as if he’d been expecting it. Slowly he pulled his phone out of his pocket and 

handed it to me. On the screen I saw my little sis. There wasn’t much to see, all that 

was visible was her face. She was gagged and crying hysterically. “I have a security 

camera on her and its streaming live feed to me, look in the top hand corner.” I glanced 

up to see the the date and present time, and then glanced back at her face. Tears 

rolling down my face, I handed the phone back to him.

     I turned and began walking towards the park office. While walking I wiped the look of 

disaster off my face and smiled at each visitor as if it were any other normal day. Inside 

however, I felt as if any moment I would hear and explosion, the terrifying sound of an 

detonated bomb. It scared me, I could not fail.

     

Reviews

[KurKota]

Even tho this uses a somewhat predictable format of a hostage/terror event, the setting in which you place it is unique, and the use of focus on a person with a Purple top hat is very effective. Upon opening this piece with that title, I was not expecting the story that unfolded. Aside from a few spelling errors, the flow of the story is good. I would encourage you to move on with it.

[disheveledApathy]

This is very exciting, please continue with the storyline you have laid out here....can't wait to hear more.

[A. H. Pinley]

I sprint around the grounds, my heart beating so fast it might burst. As I stop, taking in the scenery around me. (?) Very good suspense to build the story.

[TheMadnessWithin]

Just experimenting, let me know if you want to hear more...

[Mockingbird]

evokes the overall atmosphere of an amusement park, the chaos and how bad things can go unnoticed. nicely crafted. the dialogue brings to mind a scene in a movie. great plot, but ended in a definite cliffhanger.