I Heard the Angels' Voices

From: 
Story type: Angel
Location: Texas
Source: Form Submission
Date submitted: Thu Aug  6 13:34:19 2009

I Heard the Angels’ voices

It was a hot summer day in Texas. I was working the serpent where children and their parents could ride. It would be my last season working at Astroworld before starting college in the fall. A young, handsome man approached me and asked if I could work a double for him the following night. A double is when a person works a shift for another. He was going to Amarillo to meet with family for vacation.

He also told me he was one of many siblings; I myself being one of nine. I rarely worked doubles for I always had fun staying in the park with my siblings and friends. I was giddy when I saw that we were both redheads and noticed he had many double slips in his hands. He would need one more person to cover him and so I asked him which ride it would be. When he told me it was the Texas Cyclone, I drew an immediate NO. ‘No way Jose.’ The Cyclone was the most popular ride and was known to be the fastest roller coaster in the country. I usually rode during the day when I was off. The speed appealed to most guests and was faster during the night. O they loved it! I hardly knew anyone who didn’t like to ride it. He persisted and explained how he exhausted all of his efforts in finding someone, but I still said no.

Finally, I apologized and told him my answer was firm and to find someone else. I was jolted when I saw a group of young boys upset that I had let the serpent lap more than twice, which is the usual laps I give to guests. At the same time, I turned and saw the young man leave and head toward the fencedoor, a shortcut for employees. He looked back at me wondering…...hoping that I would change my mind. His sparkling, Irish-blue eyes were forgiving and he looked flushed. I bit my lip and hollered, ‘Oh…allright’ I’ll work for you, but hurry before I change my mind.’

He ran back to me so fast and was smiling. Then, I told him I would work for him on the condition that I would not be forced to ride the coaster nor be forced to do anything that would jeopardize my safety. His tone was sheer elation and he promised that I would only load and unload the guests. He added that I would meet new friends and have several breaks. I wished him a good and fun vacation. And so I signed the slip and off he ran to turn them all in. Then, I walked to the boys and apologized for letting the serpent continue without stopping. When they told me it lapped five times, I told them I would double it and they were just as excited.

Minutes past and I stood with an aching back, hot, and ready to go home. Suddenly, I stood straight and panicked. I was still, still because I heard voices. The sound of clear, crisp voices in my left ear. I shook my head and ruffled my ear as if I were swearing off a fly. No one was behind me. No one was there except a lady and her daughter. But they were eighty yards from me. Quite a distance from where I heard these voices. I walked to them and asked the lady if she needed anything….if she had said anything to me. She raised her eyebrows and said, ‘Pardon?’ It was not her. And so I walked back to the controls.

I kept turning around wondering where these voices came from. Their tone was feminine and featherweight; much like the leaves we hear on a breezy day. I heard them say, ‘Be careful, for there will be danger’ It was all I would every hear. It was a message of imminent danger. It echoed repeatedly in the end and lasted for one minute. ‘Angels’ I thought. Could they have been? Is it possible I experienced them? They MUST have been angels. There were several I heard. I’m Catholic and I believe in angels, but I admit that it took awhile to gather my thoughts and fears before I was convinced. Angels I heard without a doubt.

Then I thought of what kind of danger. They didn’t say who would be in danger nor when or where. I was afraid. I didn’t know what to think. I carried on with my work and I was tired. The serpent had been busy by the time I left for home. Once home, I let my mother know that I would work a double. Everything was set for the next day. I didn’t try to tell my sisters and brothers of my experience. I didn’t tell my parents and friends. I let go. The following day came and I was off to a busy start. The park was full and the serpent was crowded. As the day wore, I began to think of the voices I’d heard from the day before. I was still afraid….nervous for it was close to working time at the Cyclone.

My shift ended and I ran to the dressing room to change my uniform. I hastily walked the long ramp until I landed at the top of the dock. There, I was greeted and introduced to many employees. My big brother worked the ride during the day and at times pulled many doubles, but not this night. I hung with Edward, quite a flirt with me, but he respected me in every sense of the word. We went to dinner break and soda break. The clock was now nearing the eleventh hour of the night and suddenly, the top dock was swelling with guests eager to ride the Cyclone. I saw the bottom house and it was full to capacity. Even the line extended outside of the entrance. Molly Hatchet was in their prime and it was an all-night party. Some Fridays were all-night parties where the park would be open until four or five in the morning. These parties were the best as the guests were well awake and having fun riding rides and playing games. I was set to leave at midnight since I was covering for someone. There was always a concert and the fireworks were not left out.

I was okay until I turned around and saw a man walk into the dock and toward the controls. He was not uniformed. An executive I thought to myself. I’ve seen them visit different rides before. I frowned when he took over and sat at the controls. Then he obviously briefed two of the supervisors and pointed in the direction of the que-house. I began to pace as the memory of the angels’ voices came back. I looked around constantly, fearing that this was to be the moment of disaster. But how? I didn’t know. Then, the supervisors gathered all of us and directed a few to pull the second coaster from the que-house. The two coasters were always used when the house was full. Then they told us to get in the coaster as a test ride before allowing guests to ride. I saw everyone in slow motion as we looked dismayed and confused. I raced to Edward and told him I was too small to ride. He said everything would be allright. I began to shake. I felt something. Something was going to happen. I believed this was the event where danger was to happen.

I pleaded with him to talk to the supervisors or the man at the controls to allow me to stay on the dock. Then, I heard the man at the controls shout at us. ‘Hurry and get in!!’ We all began to bump into one another and I saw that everyone tried to sit at the front . The first coaster was waiting in the hub with guests waiting to unload. I began to cry and I couldn’t stop shaking. I ran toward the front, but two employees were beginning to load. I tried for the second row and I missed. I grabbed the third and bleeped that I had it. I stood, but didn’t get in. I paced and kept looking at everyone. I heard some of the guests talking about me; feeling bad that I was being forced to ride. I looked for Edward again and pleaded with him. I pulled his shirt. Most everyone was in and I hesitated several times.

The staff was very understanding of my fear and said everything would be allright; that it would be quick. ‘God help us’, I yelled. Edward stretched his arm and helped me in. I pulled free and began to complain that this was not right. Sandbags were always used to test a ride and they were required for this one! They were waiting for me. I hesitated again. Edward stood and again assured me everything would be fine. He pulled me into the seat. I was holding the bar and was fighting with him to not lower it. He pulled the bar down and I heard it lock. He cupped my face again promising that everything would be allright. I shook my head and told him something terrible was going to happen. We were not safe. ‘My God!!’, I shouted. I still pleaded to Ed to help me. He said, ‘Sweetie’ and held me. I cried loudly. I kept looking at the crowd and I could see people hovering and wondering what was happening.

Then I saw my good friend Robert. He was not in the coaster. And so I asked him why. He was too big. My friend was too round and could barely fit. He quickly told me to speak up. My eyes widened as I saw myself in slow motion turn toward the controls. I raised my arm and yelled at the man to stop. His head slowly turned toward me while pulling the lever. I turned to face the front and braced myself. With one arm over the bar and the other underneath, I began to crouch. Suddenly, the coaster rolled forward. It felt like 30-mph. I was quiet. I began to see the image of God. There was a golden triangle behind his head. He looked at me and I too. I kept hearing the angels’ voices from the day before. The whole time, I remembered them.

Edward began to pull me toward him. I pulled away from him. I began to scream. I heard others shouting that we were going the wrong way. I heard men screaming. Women screaming. The flash of lights from the que-house were flashing past us. The guys in the front were pulling on the bar hoping that it would open. They shouted at everyone to duck. The moment we did, I heard a loud noise of metal breaking. There was only a chain at the end of the que-house. There was no wall. I saw pieces of three-inch chain links break apart. Then the coaster began to creek and noddle. I stopped screaming and saw the first row bend upward and twist. I heard the impact. Concrete, I thought. My row rolled forward. I held firmly to the bar. I saw the sky. The night was full of stars. We bent upward and right and began to fall. I couldn’t see the ground. Then I saw the concrete and I pulled my arm out and prayed that the coaster would not turn upside down. It hurt and I could feel the row moving back and forth. I know because my skinny arm was holding it. I screamed for help. I saw a mass of people hurdling over the lanes in the bottom house to reach us. They looked like cascading water rolling through a rocky stream.

They reached us in unison. It was amazing. People of all ages came to help us. I couldn’t get out of my seat. The man who freed me held my body as I dangled above. His name was Michael and he looked like Bum Phillips, hat and all. Edward blamed himself and I told him not to. I touched his cheek as I saw him very hurt. Minutes later, I squeezed myself out. Michael comforted me and I was so grateful. He was my hero. He thought of the others and so moved forward to help others. He was serene and confident. Very tall and strong. I looked around and saw the magnitude of the crash. Gradually, guests were helping employees out of their seats to safety.

We didn’t know where a gnawing noise was coming from. Then I saw a guest reveal that the que-house was buckling, the weight of the last leg of the coaster leaning it closer to collapse. The race began to rescue as many more. I and others were moved further away to safety. I saw a cluster of men holding the wooden pillars. No steel. The que-house was inching toward the men, complicating the rescue efforts of other employees. In the end, an employee was killed, a good friend to my siblings and everyone who worked at the park. Most had serious injuries. Everyone liked him and he was a loving and fair, young man.

Years later, I would come to know that my brother’s friend liked my sister and had asked him permission to date her. The real heroes were the guests. Without thinking of themselves, they gave themselves, risked their lives, and pulled most employees out of the coaster. I will always be thankful to them. I learned that night that my life mattered. It mattered to God and he wanted me to continue to live life. To always be grateful and have a strong desire to live matters to me. Life is always good no matter what my struggles may be. My faith is stronger and I feel blessed to be with all my family who I love very much. I will always be thankful to God for letting me live. I prayed to survive. He sent the Angels to help us. Angels ARE everywhere. We don’t have to see them. We can hear them. ‘They were Angels I Heard on High.’

God Bless Everyone