Wonderworks Short Story

Lost in an Upside-Down House I knew Wonderworks would be exhilarating, but I had no idea how exhilarating it would truly be. It was mid-day in 2009 and my family had traveled to the Wonderworks attraction.
The day had been extremely fun thus far, but the day quickly went from fun to scary. I was climbing on the climbing wall, and was all smiles.
“Yay! I’m having so much fun today! Thank you mom and dad!” I screamed out, expecting to hear the usual, “you’re welcome,” response, but concerned, I jumped off the wall to face the room. I saw what I would call a normal day at Wonderworks. The parents recording, children with smiles from ear to ear, and the exciting games and prizes, I was anticipating to achieve during the day. The more I looked, the more nervous I became. Suddenly, I came to the unsettling realization- I
was lost-. I quickly found myself unraveling and tears starting streaming down my face like a waterfall. Then all of a sudden, a little voice in my head came to the rescue.
“Matthew, you can do this, you’ve done harder things before, and all you have to do is find mom or dad.”
“Okay, I can do this.
Mommy and daddy are probably still here. I’ll find them!” I whispered to myself.
“Start checking the room, start at the basketball arena.” The voice said.
I started walking towards the basketball area. I found myself bobbing and weaving through the masses of people. Full of small and large people, the crowd was hard to navigate. When I finally got to the basketball arena, my family was nowhere to be found. “Where are they?” I thought to myself, upset once again. Next to the basketball arena was the soccer field. “This is the last area in the room, if they aren’t here, they left without me!” I thought in fear. “Don’t think that way, they’ll be here!” The voice said. Nervously, I walked to the soccer field. The black and blue checkered soccer field did nothing but drag me down even more. My parents were nowhere to be found! The yellow soccer ball seemed to say to me; “I’m sorry, you’re silly enough to lose your parents, not! They will leave you here all alone.” I kicked the soccer ball under the table because I was so angry. “I guess I just got angry,” I thought. A mix of adrenaline, fear, and anger loomed over my
head. “I can’t do this!” I yelled. I started screaming and crying and getting snot and tears all over my green t-shirt and athletic shorts. I started shaking and feeling helpless. Thoughts started jumbling and I couldn’t see straight. At that moment, I felt abandoned. I listened and listened for the voice; but when I needed it most, it vanished. I went to go sit and recompose myself when something caught my attention. I saw a lady with bright red hair. “Is that mom? Mom has bright red hair,” I ran up and tapped her on the arm, and my heart sank.
“Can I help you little buddy?” A Wonderworks employee asked. Her nametag read Olivia. “Yes please!” I responded, I explained my situation to Olivia. “Okay, you stay right here.” Olivia said. Olivia was gone for a while, and thoughts of doubt started trickling in. “Olivia’s gone. Mom and dad left. I’m all alone.” I sat for what must have been thirty minutes until Olivia finally came back. “I found them!” Olivia said excitedly. “Yay!” I screamed as my mom and dad came into view. I felt the tension release from my shoulders and the knots leave my stomach. “We’ve heard you’ve had quite an adventure,” my mom said. “Yeah, I was looking for you,” I responded, full of emotion. “You were very brave and we are very happy to have you as our son,” my dad said. “I’m happy to be your son,” I replied. “Come on, let’s go have some fun!” My mom said. “Okay! To be lost in Wonderworks makes you sad, so let’s be happy!” I yelled. My mom, dad, and I thanked Olivia and walked towards the next room.
“I told you could do it.” The voice said humbly.
“Thank you.” I thought, knowing they could hear me. “You kept me right-side up in an upside-down house.”