The Lightning Tunnel

By Sallie Cochren

Mason and Kendra are ready to spend the rest of their lives together. In an early pre-wedding celebration, they go to Thundering Sands Amusement Park and ride the park’s main attraction, the Lightning Tunnel. The roller coaster does more than just provide an exciting ride, though. Once in the Lightning Tunnel, something goes drastically wrong and Mason is transported back in time 55 years. Stranded in a decade he knows little about, Mason is determined that he must somehow get back to Kendra. Will he ever be able to find his way back to his old life? If he does, what will he find once he gets back?

This story is also available in the short story collection, "No Time to Panic! A Book of Short Stories."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sallie Cochren
• Release date: Feb 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9780463593844

Sallie Cochren

Sallie Cochren has always loved a good story and enjoys stories in a variety of genres. She started writing short stories and skits as a child, thinking it was a great way to spend her free time. She always wanted to write a book of her own, but her teaching career kept her so busy that there was no time to write. When she resigned from her teaching job, she finally had time to start writing and fulfill her lifelong dream.Sallie is drawn to many genres. Her stories encompass a range of writing. She has written horror novels, science fiction, psychological thrillers and even Christian fantasy. She has also written a lighter read with her Alien Cats trilogy. She is currently working on a dystopian series as well as continuing her vampire hunter series.When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading and watching movies. She also loves animals and enjoys spending time with her cat.

Book preview

The Lightning Tunnel

By Sallie Cochren

Author’s note: All characters and events in these stories are strictly from the author’s imagination and are not meant to resemble any person, living or dead.

To learn about more books by the author or to view book trailers, go to www.salliecochren.com.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by mechanical or electronic means including storage and retrieval systems without the author’s permission. An exception will be made for reviewers. If leaving a review, you may quote a short excerpt. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

The Lightning Tunnel Copyright Sallie Cochren December 2017

All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents

The Lightning Tunnel

Author’s Notes

The Lightning Tunnel

Place: Tucson, Arizona

Date: June 2, 2030

Mommy! Mommy! I want to go on the ride! the little boy of about six years shouted and looked up at his mother eagerly.

I’m sorry, sweetie. You aren’t tall enough, his mother tried to console him.

Yes, I am! See! the boy stopped walking and stood up on the edge of his toes.

Honey, you’re on your tiptoes, his mother replied. That doesn’t count.

She tugged on his hand to move him along, but the boy was persistent.

I want to go on rolly coaster! he insisted.

Well, you can’t go on this one, his mother tried to redirect him. They have a special roller coaster for you in the children’s side of the park.

Really? the little boy wiped his eyes and sniffled.

Yes, come on, his mother replied. We want to get there in time to ride the roller coaster before it closes, don’t we?

The little boy nodded and leaned in toward his mother, now walking along anxiously with her.

That’s cute, Kendra said. Do you think we’ll ever have a kid half that cute?

There was no doubt in Mason’s mind that they would. His fiancé, Kendra, was gorgeous. Her dark skin was just a shade lighter than his. Her hair was black like his and hung to her shoulders. She had light blue eyes while Mason’s were brown. Kendra always told Mason that he was just as handsome as she was beautiful, but Mason didn’t believe it.

Mason and Kendra were holding hands and were waiting in line to ride the scariest roller coaster at Thundering Sands Amusement Park. She leaned in a little closer to Mason.

Are you kidding? Mason replied. With your good looks, our children will look like models even despite the fact that their father isn’t the looker in the family.

You have to stop saying things like that, Kendra chided him. You happen to be a very good-looking man.

She leaned in and gave Mason a kiss.

I happen to feel very lucky to be with someone like you, she said. You’re kind-hearted and have a stable job managing a convenience store. On top of that, you’re handsome as well. What more could a woman ask for?

Mason laughed.

What? Kendra asked.

Nothing, I was just thinking. If anyone should consider themselves lucky, it’s me, he replied.

They spent a couple of minutes kissing and missed that the line was moving forward. When the couple behind them cleared their throats, Kendra looked up. Embarrassed, she apologized. They moved forward and were nearing the front of the line.

Why do you think they call it the Lightning Tunnel anyway? Mason asked.

You don’t know? Kendra inquired.

No, I don’t, Mason answered.

It’s because they have simulated lightning. It comes down all around you when the coaster goes through the tunnel, Kendra replied.

Wow! I wonder how they do that, Mason mused. I hope it’s safe.

Of course it’s safe, Kendra said. They wouldn’t keep it open if it wasn’t safe. It’s all fake, but when Marianne rode it, she told me it was really freaky.

Marianne was Kendra’s best friend.

I just hope I don’t scream like a little girl, Mason said jokingly.

What? My big, tough guy? That would be funny to watch, Kendra replied and winked at him.

They watched as a sleek and shiny yellow roller coaster came gliding to a stop and the passengers disembarked. Each car held two people who sat side by side. There were six cars connected together. A gold lightning streak adorned each car, and a warning was printed in midsize letters beneath it.

The warning read, Enter at your own risk.

Mason and Kendra walked slowly forward and patiently waited as the people ahead of them left the line to board the coaster. They still clung to each other’s hands, but out of affection rather than fear, although Mason was feeling just a touch of trepidation. When they saw it was their turn, Kendra was disappointed.

I don’t want to be in the last car, she said. We should wait for the next train.

Mason thought being in the last car might not be so bad, but he didn’t want to disappoint his fiancé. He offered their place to the couple behind them, and the couple happily accepted, having become tired of waiting in line for so long. It was the most popular ride in the park. Wait times could easily exceed an hour on a busy day like today. Truly, the