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Fright by Isabel Ostheimer

1. Fright /frit/ noun A sudden intense feeling of fear. verb Frighten. -Oxford Languages 2. Fall was in the air. Walking around the carnival, Liana munched happily on her popcorn as her friend Bernadette followed, dragging a giant stuffed bear that Liana had won for her. Liana soon got lost in her surroundings. The smell of butter and sugar wafted through the air, and the lights of the rides and booths blended together into one beautiful scene. She gazed up at the stars. “Isn’t it gorgeous?” she gushed to Bernadette, but no one answered. “Bernadette? B!” Liana’s heart started to race as the lights blared and the carnival music got louder and louder. It was dizzying; the booths loomed over her, and shadows were everywhere. She frantically raced through the maze of games and food stands, hoping to catch sight of her friend, calling more frantically as she went on. She stopped when she got close to the carousel. On the ground was a dirty, giant stuffed bear. It had seen better days, and it was definitely the one Liana had won for Bernadette less than an hour ago. Tears welled up in Liana’s eyes. “Boo!” Liana let out a shriek, and her popcorn went flying. There was Bernadette, hunched over with laughter. Liana’s relief was palpable, but her relief was soon replaced by bubbling anger. “You cruel, cruel woman! I was freaking out! I swear my heart stopped! How could you?” Bernadette laughed and took Liana’s hand in her own as she leaned over to plant a kiss on Liana’s cheek. Though Liana wanted to scoff and turn her cheek, her heart melted at the soft brush of lips against her cheek. “I’m sorry. Next time you can be the one to frighten me.” “You bet I will! You’re not getting away with this!” Liana joked, finally at ease with her surroundings. But the tension in Liana’s shoulders eased, and she laced her fingers with Bernadette’s as they continued through the fair. 3. Dismay, dread, trepidation. Alarm. Fear. Panic! Shock! Scare! Horror! 4. Thoughts race, Hearts pace, Lungs struggle to fill with air, Mind fills with thoughts I can’t bear. Shaking, Shaking, I can’t stop aching. What a fright, Oh, what a night. 5. The word “fright” is not etymologically related to the word “fear.” “Fright” comes from the Proto-Germanic word “furkhatz,” meaning “afraid.” 6. Oh my god! I’m trembling. My heart is pounding so fast I think it might explode. Oh my god — will my heart explode? Oh no, there's something in the dark corner that might jump out at me. I don’t want to die! Oh god, I’m actually going to die right now. Please! Someone hel- oh wait, it's just a stupid ghost. Wow, what a rush.


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