It stood there like a giant, tall and foreboding.  Its pink tracks moved up, down and in a variety of other directions, twisting, turning like a snake in midair.  Even from the parking lot of Six Flags Magic Mountain, it made the weak shy away and the brave grin in eager anticipation.  “Careful,” the ride said with its creaking wheels, “only those with strength will taste what I have to offer. Come I bid you.”  If the mere sight of the monstrosity didn’t curdle the blood, then surely the whisper would. Regardless, X is one of, if not the most, breathtaking experience one could possibly undertake.
The line was visible from about fifty yards away, further weaning the weak.  It curved around carefully placed bars; first going one direction before jolting the other way.  Overhead, misters and trees provided a short respite from the humid and suffocating daytime heat of Los Angeles, California.  People amused themselves in whatever way they could.  For some, it was watching their predecessors scream, others got a perverse pleasure by smirking at the faces of pale potentials when the attendant pleasantly explained the two hour minimum wait.  For those in line, there was a collective aura of anxiousness thick enough to taste.  The actual ride was far off; it didn’t stop the hardcore from ticking away the seconds, minutes and inevitable hours.  When the line moved, a wave of relief and anxiety washed over the entire crowd, moving closer and closer to the final destination.
Towards the end of the line, there was a fork.  To one side, there was a staircase, to the other side there was a dark hallway.  In the middle, an attendant kept a count in their head, or toes, and ushered a certain number of people towards the stairs.  The others, however, went down the dark hallway.  It did not matter, since both ended at the same place, straight into the belly of the monster herself.  
The seats were pink; however, it was closer to a plum than the hot pink of the tracks.  A metal bar ran horizontally, dividing twenty-four seats into two groups of twelve.  At the top of the seats, a smaller metal bar attached to the larger bar, further dividing the seats into six groups of two.  Only hydraulics kept the seats still enough for the weary passengers to board.  Unlike other coasters, where only a one-piece horseshoe shaped restraint was needed, X requires a two piece restraint similar to a corset. It also adjusts up and down to assure that absolutely nothing was capable of moving or breathing, much less falling out.  There was no floor, only slots for the legs to rest. Other than that, the feet are free to dangle.  Once all the voyagers were locked tight and all the safety procedures were taken care of, the operator pressed a button.  The seats made a strange hissing sound and rested so that the occupant was facing the sky.  In spite of this, the seats could also rock back or forth a full 360 degrees.  The operator pressed another button and the ride began.
  Like any other rollercoaster that does not defy the laws of physics, X began with a death-defying drop.  The wheels screeched with each inch, laboring to reach the top.  Moments passed and at long last, the seats reached the top.  There was a split moment where absolutely nothing happened; it was like time had stood still, refusing to continue.  Then all of a sudden, nature took its course, and twenty-four seats plunged faster and faster down the 215 feet.  Screams of horror, or delight, echoed from voice chords into the, now night, sky and caused a slight ringing sensation in the ears of unsuspecting spectators.  The wheels, backed with momentum, thundered against the tracks.  It seemed the ride had reached its capacity of excitement.  Suddenly, the seat flipped 180 degrees forcing the occupant to face the floor.  The ride continued and each loop, spiral-shaped corkscrew and half-loop raven turn ushered in a new direction for the rider.  Three warped minutes passed like seconds.  The seats came to a harsh stop, and then moved forward slowly into the dock.  Safely there, the seat come to a softer stop and make a hissing sound as hydraulics are applied, locking the seats into place.  The shaken, riders climb out adrenaline still pumping through their veins.  Some, chatter excitedly of what they just experienced, others find the nearest trash can and empty their insides.
Outside of the park, people leave the closing park, as trams hurried to carry tired customers to their cars in the middle of the immense parking lot.  Janitors began their daunting task of cleaning every square inch of Six Flags.  Mechanics check over the rides, to make sure no bolt had become loose.  But the monster, the giant, stood there.  It mocked those who had been too cowardly and the brave alike; daring the latter for another try.  Even after the workers had left, the giant beckoned to potential explorers the next day would bring.  “Come,” it said, “I bid you.”