Question
You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:
‘Although they had been forbidden to go, there they were, on the other side of the steel fence, laughing hysterically.’ Use this idea as the basis for a narrative.
Model Essay
Although they had been forbidden to go, there they were, on the other side of the steel fence, laughing hysterically. The abandoned amusement park, known as the “Ghost Park” to the local kids, was strictly off-limits. But for Sarah, Jake, and Emily, the allure of exploring the forbidden grounds was too tempting to resist.
It all started with a dare. As they sat in their clubhouse, the old treehouse in Sarah’s backyard, Jake had nonchalantly mentioned the park.
“Come on, it’s just an old amusement park. What’s the worst that could happen?” he said, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Emily, always the cautious one, hesitated. “What if we get caught? Or worse, what if the stories are true?”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Ghosts and haunted rides? Please, those are just tales to scare kids. I say we go tonight.”
And so, as the moon rose high in the sky, they found themselves standing before the rusting steel fence that surrounded the Ghost Park. With a quick glance to ensure no one was watching, Jake produced a pair of bolt cutters and snipped the lock. The gate creaked open, and they slipped inside.
The park was a relic of the past, frozen in time. Weeds had overtaken the pathways, and the rides stood as eerie silhouettes against the moonlight. The Ferris wheel, once the crown jewel of the park, loomed overhead, its carriages swaying gently in the breeze.
They ventured deeper, their flashlights cutting through the darkness. Their initial apprehension melted away as they explored the old attractions. They found themselves on the rickety old carousel, laughing as they climbed onto the faded, chipped horses.
“This is awesome!” Jake shouted, his voice echoing through the empty park.
Emily giggled as she spun around on one of the teacups. “I can’t believe we were scared of this place.”
Their laughter was infectious, and for a moment, it felt like they had stepped back in time, to a place where the park was alive with joy and excitement.
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Suddenly, a distant noise cut through their laughter. It was a soft, metallic clang, followed by a low creaking sound. The laughter died down, and they exchanged nervous glances.
“Probably just the wind,” Sarah said, trying to sound confident. But her voice wavered slightly.
“Yeah, let’s keep going,” Jake added, though his grip on his flashlight tightened.
They made their way toward the old funhouse, its entrance gaping like a dark maw. As they stepped inside, their flashlights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The mirrors inside were cracked and dirty, distorting their reflections into grotesque shapes.
Emily shivered. “This place gives me the creeps.”
They pressed on, their footsteps echoing through the empty corridors. Suddenly, they heard it again – that same metallic clang, much closer this time.
“Okay, that was definitely not the wind,” Sarah whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Let’s get out of here,” Jake said, his earlier bravado gone.
They turned to leave, but as they did, they saw a figure standing in the doorway. It was an old man, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and concern.
“What are you kids doing here?” he demanded, his voice harsh.
They froze, guilt and fear washing over them. “We… we just wanted to see the park,” Sarah stammered.
The man’s expression softened slightly. “This place isn’t safe. It’s not haunted by ghosts, but by the memories of accidents and tragedies. People got hurt here.”
“We’re sorry,” Emily said, her voice trembling.
The man sighed. “Just promise me you’ll leave and never come back.”
They nodded, their earlier excitement replaced with a sobering realization. As they left the park, they glanced back one last time. The Ghost Park seemed to sigh in relief, its secrets once again hidden in the shadows.
Although they had been forbidden to go, they had learned why the rules existed. Sometimes, the thrill of breaking the rules isn’t worth the risk, and the past is best left undisturbed.
Word Count: 664