SCRUNCH E-Book

Pascal Ringstahl

• Herausgeber: tredition
• Kategorie: Abenteuer, Thriller, Horror
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 173

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking rollercoaster ride of the story of *Scrunch*, which begins comfortably at first, only to end in a frenzied crash. After a supposedly idyllic visit to the fair and a sunny Saturday morning, the protagonist Sandra and her family experience a fatal moment of decision: a shopping spree or a walk in the woods? The choice for the latter leads to an unforeseeable tragedy when a deadly threat from twin dogs suddenly arises. The catchy sound of the title "Scrunch" - crunch, crush - becomes a symbol of the terrifying turn the family's lives take. Together they must face the danger and survive the sinister threat. But is it really all just coincidence or is there more to the mysterious events? What begins as a normal family story soon turns out to be a gripping thriller with surprising elements of science fiction, fantasy and horror. Let yourself be carried away by *Scrunch* and experience how a seemingly ordinary situation is transformed into an eerie and exciting journey into the unknown. The story takes the reader through highs and lows, with an unforgettable finale that isn't over until it's over!

Leseprobe

2017 in Cologne - in grateful memory of my family -

PascalRingstahl

SCRUNCH

-Twin Dogs-

© 2024 Pascal Ringstahl Website: www.ringstahl.com Printing and distribution on behalf of the author: Tredition GmbH, Heinz-Beusen-Stieg 5, 22926 Ahrensburg, Germany The work including ist parts is protected by copyright. The author is responsible for the content. Any use is not permitted without his consent. The publication and distribution are carried out on behalf of the author and can be reached at: tredition GmbH, “Imprint Service” department, Heinz-Beusen-Stieg 5, 22926 Ahrensburg, Germany. The plot and all characters are fictitious. Any resemblance to living or real persons would be purely coincidental.

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

SCRUNCH

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Chapter 1

Chapter 12

SCRUNCH

Cover

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Chapter 1

Astunning night. The pleasant warmth enveloped the senses, the stars twinkled in the sky and a gentle, lukewarm breeze carried the promise of the approaching summer. This beginning promised an exciting weekend. Friday evening dawned and Sandra found herself at the glamorous fairground. She had met up with her friends after school in the late afternoon. They first went to their favourite café before heading off to the big fair in the middle of the city as darkness gradually fell. The fair was truly impressive, featuring a breathtaking five-loop ride, a massive white-water ride, and a majestic Ferris wheel that soared 200 feet into the air. The fairground was laid out in a huge circle and shone with colourful lights at dusk. Rhythmic music blared from the loudspeakers, accompanied by the occasional honking of horns, the whirring of the rides and the cheerful announcements of the marshals from their small, narrow ticket booths. Sandra took a deep breath of the characteristic fairground air, which smelled of roasted almonds, candy floss and fresh potato pancakes. The fairground was lively, from families with their laughing children to couples in love patiently queuing for a romantic Ferris wheel ride. And then there were the typical, youthful visitors, with pumped-up muscles, carefully coiffed hair, tight trousers and always a mischievous smile for the female guests. The fair lasted a full week and for many it was the one week of the year when they looked for exciting affairs or hot flirts. But some also used the fair to introduce their long-term relationships to their best friends, who had previously been unaware of their existence. Sandra had dressed up especially for the evening. She wore dark jeans with artfully designed holes, black 10-hole Dr Martens and a simple white top that emphasised her feminine charms thanks to a push-up bra worn underneath. Although Sandra had only celebrated her 17th birthday in December, she already looked more mature and grown-up. That evening, she had arranged to meet her new boyfriend, whose relationship only she and he knew about until then, at the funfair. But she had thought of a clever staging. Sandra was a stunning, slim young woman with a deep voice and a direct manner that made her desirable to both boys and men. But most of those who met her craved more than just friendship. She tossed her long, blonde natural curls back and looked over at a young man chewing gum on the "Break Dancer" carousel. This thrilling ride consisted of a slightly inclined, 18-cornered rotating disc on which six gondola crosses were placed at regular intervals. The ride was just accelerating and the characteristic sounds of the turntable drive - howling and singing - accompanied the rousing disco music. Four gondolas were attached to each of the gondola crosses, each of which could accommodate up to two passengers. Electric motors drove the turntable and the gondola crosses, causing the gondolas to rotate in an exciting motion. Similar to the turntable, the gondolas were attached to the gondola crosses at an angle, but could swing freely on their own axis. The wind blew Sandra's hair into her face again. She gently stroked the front strands behind her ears, almost in slow motion, to create a clear centre parting. Sandra wore five hoops in each side of her ears. She had made this decision at a sleepover party with her friends, against her parents' wishes. The initial pain and inflammation had been worth it and she felt proud that she had gone against her parents' wishes for the first time. A smile crept onto her face as she looked at the young man who continued to chew gum. She herself couldn't stand chewing gum. To her, "chewing gum" seemed to have the strange psychological effect of making gum chewers think they were cool or special. In reality, it looked rather silly to her. She recalled a TV show where the audience was asked to take the gum out of their mouths because it looked ridiculous and embarrassing on camera. That's why she never chewed gum herself. Now she began to chew the boy's gum imaginatively and exaggeratedly in the air to imitate him. The boy had to smile and moved slowly in her direction in time with the music. He stepped in front of her and scrutinised her from top to bottom. In the background, he noticed three girls standing together, giggling. They were probably her friends. Sandra continued to look at the boy and said challengingly: “Do you still have food left in your teeth or why are you chewing so fast?” She realised that she was being quite cheeky with him, maybe she was just in a good mood. The boy pointed to his ears and said: “Unfortunately, I can't hear anything you're saying.” Sandra looked at him questioningly, as she couldn't hear anything even through the loud music. “What?” she shouted at him questioningly. He stepped closer to her, his lips almost at her ear. “What did you just say? And by the way, 'hello', I'm glad you're here,” he replied. Sandra wondered if she should repeat what she had said earlier. “Nice to have you here,” she said, looking into his green eyes. She unobtrusively scrutinised him from top to bottom. His white trainers seemed to have been freshly washed before he came to the dusty fairground. In good weather, the fairground was often as dusty as a cinder field. Although his trainers showed signs of wear, they were almost as good as new. His tight jeans emphasised his well-toned figure and the white shirt with a stand-up collar looked great on him. He brought his lips close to her ear again. “Tell me, are those your friends a little further behind you? Shall we start the game slowly?” he asked as he gently stroked her upper arm and her fine arm hairs stood up. A slight shiver ran down her spine when his lips were just inches away from her ear. He chewed his gum and inhaled the scent of her hair. Finally, his lips lightly touched her earlobe. Sandra nodded in agreement when he asked if they were her friends. She moved her head back slightly and said, “I don't like gum chewers. It seems so silly. You think you're cool, but it looks like you're picking food out from between your teeth and chewing on it.” The boy stopped chewing and came even closer to her. “Pretty cheeky, little girl,” he replied and placed his hand on her hip without being asked. She swallowed and looked at the hand gently massaging her hip. Then she looked him in the eye and moved her face closer to his. He looked deep into her blue eyes. She took her right hand and reached behind his head, pulling him towards her. He paused briefly, spitting the chewing gum onto the floor. She smiled. His lips approached hers again and they kissed lightly and fleetingly, touching tenderly. He gently pushed his tongue against her lower lip. She flinched slightly at first, then returned the kiss and touched his lips with her tongue. He pulled her even closer to him and gently pushed his tongue into her mouth. She returned the kiss and let it happen. The music and the roar of the engines as the Break Dancer picked up speed again, the wind caressing her skin - it all felt like a rush that she had been waiting for so long. The boy groaned slightly and placed his other hand on her hip, pulling her closer to him. They didn't stop kissing and his hands travelled over her toned bottom, kneading it lightly. She stopped kissing him and looked into his eyes. “You sow,” she flirted and continued kissing him directly. “That little dirty bitch,” said one of her friends from the background. It was Sonja, the strong redhead. “You're just jealous,” Nadine, the dark-haired friend, replied and continued to cheer Sandra on. “I always knew she was a bitch. She acts aloof and as soon as the first guy turns up, she's making out. Well, he's really bloody good-looking.” “Oh, leave her alone. As soon as someone approaches us, we'll do the same,” Sonja agreed, nodding. “Yes, take what you need,” she cheered. They all allowed Sandra to have fun. Hoping that the boy wasn't alone at the funfair and that perhaps some of his friends would turn up, they continued on their way. The boy stopped kissing Sandra, but kept his face on her cheek and looked at the girls. He whispered in her ear, “Did they really not know we've known each other for two months?” “No. Let them think I'm a bitch,” she whispered to him. “Because that feels kind of good.” He looked into her face, brushing a blonde strand behind her ear that was swirling from the break dancer's airstream. “In that case, let's just keep playing the game. Let's go on the rollercoaster,” he suggested with a twinkle in his eye, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the rollercoaster. As Sandra walked past her friends, she briefly let go of his hand and said: “He's so hot!” She looked very excited. Her friends smiled and rejoiced with her: “Come on, let's go on the five-loop. The last car is the coolest.” Then she turned round, jumped for joy back to the boy, took his hand and gave him a quick kiss. He let go of her hand, put his arm firmly around her waist and slowly walked with her and her friends to the Olympic LoopingRollercoaster. The boy who had invited Sandra to the rollercoaster was called Marc. She had met him over two months ago in the supermarket when she was buying a crate of mineral water after sports. Marc looked like a model, with full, half-length hair, smooth, tanned skin and a tank top that emphasised his youthful muscles. Sandra had fallen in love with him at first sight, but couldn't get a word out. He pressed himself comfortably against her and brought the crate of water to the car park where her mother was waiting in the car. He persuaded her to meet again the next day at the same time and in the same place, and so they did. Slowly and step by step, he managed to win her heart. He generously took over the payment for both of them at the ticket office of the five-loop. Marc was already 23 years old and worked as a qualified mechanic in a Toyota garage. They strolled arm in arm to the station of the fivesome Looping, also known as the Olympia Looping. The packed train pulled in and the passengers got off. The track of the Olympia Looping was impressive, boasting a track height of 107 feet and a total length of approximately 4,100 feet, on which the trains reached speeds of up to 62 mph. The highest loop had a diameter of 66 feet. Five trains travelled the circuit at the same time and each train could accommodate four people in seven carriages. Sandra and Marc sat in the last carriage, while their friends Sonja and Nadine sat in the row in front of them. “Great, now I have to travel alone,” Vivienne remarked as she looked disappointedly at her friends. She often felt like a fifth wheel when she was travelling with her friends. This image was confirmed by the fact that nobody wanted to go with her. Vivienne complained a little and one of the attendants overheard and turned to the waiting passengers: “Who wants to have mercy and sit next to this poor soul?” he asked with a laugh. A gaunt, red-haired man with glasses squeezed through the crowd and sat down next to Vivienne. “Hello,” he stuttered shyly and pulled the safety bar towards him. Vivienne just groaned and rolled her eyes, leant back and looked at Sandra. “You owe me one now,” she said to Sandra, pointing at her gaunt seat neighbour. Sandra laughed and turned back to Marc to kiss him hard once again. “Your compensation will come straight after the journey,” she promised. The train set off and the journey began. With a loud screech, the train made its first descent and the passengers felt the excitement and thrill. Marc reassuringly placed his hand on Sandra's hand, who was clutching the grab rail on her lap. “Are you OK?” he asked her. She gave him a kiss and replied: “I'm glad you're with me.” Then she could only scream as the train sped through loops and bends. The feeling of weightlessness and the tingling in her stomach were indescribable. Marc cheered and stretched his arms out wide, while Sandra continued to hold on to the grab rail for safety's sake. The friends in front of them also cheered and the ride continued with breathtaking loops, descents and curves. After an exciting ride, the train arrived back at the station, the safety bars opened automatically and everyone got off. The girls laughed happily and euphorically from the adrenaline rush. “Aren't you going to introduce us to your companion?” Nadine asked Sandra. Sandra and Marc laughed. Sandra shook her head and said: “Well, I have to admit it. This is Marc and we've known each other for over two months.” Marc took her in his arms without saying a word and they looked at the stunned girls. “It wasn't that easy to keep it a secret from you,” he confessed. “Yes, you've met him quite often, you just never realised it,” said Sandra with a broad grin on her lips. “For a moment, I really thought you were a real slut,” Nadine added jokingly, pointing at Marc. “But if that's the case, why did you do it?” she asked, shrugging her shoulders questioningly. “Just to see the look on the faces of the three of you while we were making out,” said Sandra, laughing heartily. “Besides, I didn't want my brother to find out. You're all in contact with him and you know that he never misses an opportunity to make me look bad to Mum and Dad. If I turned up with a friend before graduation now, I'd be afraid they'd be against it.” Marc hugged her tighter, signalling that he would stick by her no matter what. “Do you want to tell your parents?” he finally asked. Sandra hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement. “Yes, tomorrow we'll definitely go on our family outing to the forest again. If the mood is good, I'll tell them.” “I don't think your dad will mind. You have a cool dad. He looks good and seems very relaxed,” said Vivienne. Sandra looked a little puzzled. “Do you think my dad is good-looking?” she asked. “But hello! Your mum is lucky to have someone like that. Good-looking, very successful in his job and I think he's pretty damn cool!” Suddenly, Sandra was bumped into from behind. A slim man, dressed all in black and wearing a hat, had bumped into her. “Sorry,” he apologised and kept walking. “What kind of man was that?” Nadine asked, looking after him. Sandra waved him off. “It's bloody crowded, it's not his fault. Please don't stress now.” Sonja looked over at Marc and lightly slapped her forehead with the flat of her hand. “Crap. Then he's not here with friends and we're not towing anything,” she added. Marc nodded in agreement. He hadn't brought anyone with him because he wanted to be alone with Sandra and her friends. He saw his mates often enough. Sandra didn't want to wait for another answer from her friends and turned directly to Marc. “Can you go and get us a few beers, please?” she asked him. Marc knew that none of the four girls would be able to get alcohol here, as the age and sale to minors was strictly enforced. “Sure, that's no problem at all!” he replied. Sandra thanked him with a kiss. As neither of them owned a car, nobody had to worry about their alcohol levels. Marc came back with a wreath of twelve beers and eight small schnapps. He held the wreath in the centre and the four girls grabbed it greedily. The beers were drunk quickly, accompanied by much laughter. The small schnapps followed immediately afterwards. “That felt good,” said Sandra and immediately reached into Marc's trouser pocket to pull out a packet of Coffin cigarettes. She held it in the centre and all the girls greedily took a cigarette. The lighter was passed from hand to hand and they smoked quickly and relaxed. “If my mum smells it, there'll be stress again,” Nadine said worriedly. “You need to wash your face first and rinse your mouth with mouthwash,” suggested another. “I've even brought some mouthwash in case anyone needs it,” said Vivienne . “Yeah, me. Otherwise I'll be a head shorter tonight too,” Sonja added with a laugh. “Marc, can you get us another drink, please?” asked Sandra and Marc happily left. He inwardly hoped that Sandra would ask him more often. Because he knew that the more she drank, the drunker she would get. Maybe something would happen that night. Sandra was always very reserved. Kissing in all its variations was fine for her, but that was all there was to it. With a bit of alcohol involved, that could change. After the second round, all four girls were nicely buzzed and finally set off on a slightly swaying and amusing walk across the fairground. They stopped in front of the Ranger, an overhead ride in a large blue gondola. The Ranger had a gondola with room for 40 people. This gondola was attached to an arm with a counterweight on the other side. The ride consisted solely of somersaults in a constant circle. Sandra teetered on the spot. “Come on, let's go on it,” she said, pulling Marc towards the till. Marc realised that Sandra was already very tipsy. At the till, she put the money on the payment tray and danced with the other girls to the music that accompanied the Ranger's