A Haunted Night

By Lacey Weaver
Engl 336:001

Cold sweat plastering your forehead, hair standing up on the back of your neck, and Goosebumps covering your arms; these are the things you should expect when visiting The House of the Setting Sun, in Green Spring West Virginia. On Friday, October 29, 2011 I traveled to The House of the Setting Sun there were several people there enjoying the atmosphere, which consisted of the sounds of screams in the distance, smells of bonfire and hot chocolate, a dampness in the air, and an overall view of a chilling house looming beyond the lines of people.

Upon arrival the traffic directors instructed my friends to park in a certain spot. When we got out of the car, actors would jump out from behind the other cars to scare us. This was the most exciting time of the whole evening; this is because when you are in the house you are expecting to be scared otherwise someone’s not doing their job. However, when you are simply walking up to the house and a man jumps out at you, it scares you!

After purchasing our tickets ($10/person), the group of friends I arrived with decided to stand by the bonfire, where the actors continued to scare us and other guests. Meanwhile on a speaker system, an announcer called out what groups were able to go through the house next. There was a big screen projector displaying people walking through the house in real time. The camera was in night vision mode and the guests were unaware of the camera watching them. This provided a lot of entertainment while we waited to go inside.

Finally, it was our turn to go through the house. To my surprise, the event ended up being a house, a barn, and a corn maze. After the haunts were over we all walked back to our cars laughing and each sharing our favorite parts of the event. Kate Shook said, “Oh man I swear that chainsaw man knew how bad I hate those damn things, so of course he picked me to chase!” We all laughed and her husband Jeramy Shook said, “Well hon’ he probably knew you considering they’re all from round’ here.”

I asked Jeff Davis what his favorite part of the haunted house was and he replied with, “Well, I really loved the corn maze; I just wish it wasn’t so freaking muddy, my shoes are going to be ruined now!” To this Megan Boggs added, “Chyea you have no idea how bad mine are! I can feel the mud in between my toes!” Everyone walking in the group collectively said, “Ew!”

Overall the haunted house was a success for my friends and me. Everyone that went in our group had a great time for a cheap price, and The House of the Setting Sun should expect to see our business next year.