WESTVIEW

Episode 7: Haunted House

The moon hung high over Westview, illuminating the neighborhood in an ethereal glow. The crisp air carried the last whispers of Halloween, and the streets were quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. Wanda, Vision, and Quicksilver gathered outside the infamous haunted house that had drawn the curiosity of the town’s residents. The structure loomed before them, its weathered façade shrouded in mystery. Flickering jack-o'-lanterns lined the path leading to the creaking front door, which seemed to beckon them closer.

“Are you sure about this?” Vision asked, his brow furrowed as he looked at the house, unease etched on his face. “I mean, it’s a haunted house. What if something... strange happens?”

Quicksilver shrugged, a mischievous grin lighting up his face. “C’mon, it’s just for fun! Besides, what’s a little fright on Halloween? We’ll be in and out before anything creepy can happen!”

Wanda felt a strange mix of excitement and trepidation. The eerie energy surrounding the house reminded her of the Ouija board session from the previous night, when shadows had danced on the edge of her consciousness. But this time, with her brother and Vision by her side, she hoped to embrace the thrill of the night.

“Let’s do it,” Wanda said, stepping forward. The wooden door creaked ominously as she pushed it open, revealing a darkened hallway filled with cobwebs and ominous decorations. An unsettling chill swept through the air.

Inside, the house was a labyrinth of rooms, each filled with haunting decor. Animatronic ghouls hung from the ceiling, their eyes glowing eerily as they lurched to life, accompanied by unsettling sound effects. Quicksilver darted through the space, playfully dodging the ghouls.

“See? Nothing to be afraid of!” he called back, laughter bubbling from his lips.

But Wanda felt her heart race with a different kind of anxiety. As they ventured deeper into the haunted house, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Shadows seemed to flicker at the edges of her vision, and an unshakable sense of familiarity gnawed at her mind.

“Are you okay, Wanda?” Vision asked, concern evident in his voice. “You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine. Just... this place is strange,” Wanda replied, forcing a smile.

They reached a room draped in darkness, the walls lined with mirrors reflecting their distorted images. As Wanda approached one of the mirrors, she caught a glimpse of a shadow moving behind her. She spun around, but the room was empty. Her pulse quickened.

“Hey, look at this!” Quicksilver called, pointing to a doorway at the other end of the room. “Bet there’s something cool in there!”

Wanda hesitated, but the thrill of the unknown pulled her forward. They stepped through the door and into a dimly lit hallway that seemed to stretch on forever. Strange whispers echoed around them, words muffled and indistinct, sending a chill down Wanda’s spine.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Vision asked, his voice a cautious whisper.

“Safe is boring,” Quicksilver replied with a smirk, his bravado contrasting with the tension in the air.

Suddenly, the floorboards creaked beneath them, and the lights flickered ominously. Wanda felt a surge of anxiety ripple through her as she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The whispers grew louder, now echoing her name—“Wanda… Wanda…”

“Did you hear that?” she whispered, her heart racing.

“Hear what?” Quicksilver asked, looking genuinely puzzled.