When we left our house it was about five o’clock. I remember thinking to myself, “Why would we have to leave so early? Don’t people come when it is dark out?” When we got to the haunted house there were a few cars in the parking lot, but nobody outside. We entered a building through a large black door. Within moments after the door opened, a strong smell oozed out of the building, one that I could not place at the time. We walked down a long dark hallway with a lit door at the end. The smell grew stronger. As my dad went to open the door I grew nervous, wondering what was on the other side. The door opened and inside there was a group of people gathered around a table with pizza boxes upon it. Everyone greeted us as my dad introduced my sister and me. After the pizza raid was over, everyone started getting ready for the big show.
When it was my turn to get my makeup done, I was extremely excited. I got to sit in a swivel chair while people turned me into something horrifying. My dad was one of the makeup artists, and the other guy’s name was Jack. When it was all over with I looked in the mirror to see what I had been transformed into. On my face were latex scars covered in bloody scab, on my teeth there was a dye to make them look rotten and old, in my hair there was blood everywhere. As I looked in the mirror I frightened myself. It was incredible how well they could use the makeup to completely change me.
After everyone had their makeup done, everyone was assigned to their areas. My dad, sister, and me were all put in The Swamp. I felt energized and excited. I remember the feeling of the foam painted walls, the sounds of terrifying screams, and the horrible taste in my mouth from the tooth dye. I was on the top of my game. As people passed through I learned to read them; when the best time to jump out was, what to do after I came out. It was exhilarating. I loved the whole spooky, horrifying world, and that night triggered my love and passion for Halloween.
