TORTURED SOULS COMPOUND

LACEY BECK

Our first Haunt of the season was Tortured Souls Compound in Defuniak Springs, Florida. I was told this was the second year that they have been open. Defuniak is a little over an hour from where I live, and I really enjoyed myself. It is always a little nerve-wrecking attending a haunt for the first time. You never know if it is going to be worth the drive, or how the people who work there will treat you. I did reach out to them on Facebook and did not get a response back, however, it made it that much more special that the whole crew did not have a clue who I was or that I did articles and still treated me and my friends so very kindly.

We got to Tortured souls compound a few hours early. The parking was a little confusing at first, we were following some of the actors to where they parked, but I ended up asking someone and they explained that we were just to park on the side of the road. Parking was free, which is always a plus!

As time got closer for opening, we walked up the path to find a couple porta-potty’s for restroom use, a food truck trailer set up with food and drinks, a 3-D printer pop-up store, a little drink area set up with a few flavors of drinks in little blood bags. There was also an open trailer that had some spooky props and where they kept their speakers and music playing. There were bleachers set up for seating, also a few little tables and chairs for people to sit on and rest. They had a wrestling ring set up, equipped with plenty of wrestling matches that you could watch while standing in line, or, when you got out of the haunt, you were welcomed to sit and watch as many matches as your heart desired.

Now… on to the haunt. We were first in line to go through the haunted house. It was supposed to start at 7, I believe… it did start a few minutes after, but it is understandable if it runs a few minutes after. They have to make sure all the actors are in position and ready. One of the Actors stopped and chatted us for a little bit, SUPER NICE guy! As we walked up to pay, it was $15 admission, plus they had a candy bowl, to grab a treat… I think they just wanted to make sure our blood sugar did not drop in the middle of the screams, lol.

We walked in the first room. Addams Family themed- the entire place looked like a giant pole barn that they turned into a haunt. You almost forgot you were outside- they tied all the rooms together so nicely. Many, many rooms to roam through in the pole barn. Blackouts and props and lights and smoke and eerie feels and chills… it was a good time. Once you completed the “inside” they had a whole path outside as well. It was very spacious and Tortured Souls did a really nice job going from one scene to the next. The outside path was lit up just enough to show you where you are supposed to walk. They had scenes like Friday the 13th, a creepy girl on a swing, the nurse from Silent Hill twisting and turning her body around after you. The also had two old school buses set up that you walked through one bus to the next. That was the first time I’d been on a bus in the haunt. The theme was cute and original, but I was really hoping Jeepers Creepers would be on that bus…. Maybe next year. The ending was a wired maze that you went through… watch where you turn though, there may be a chainsaw maniac waiting for you around the wrong corner. It took us about 15-20 minutes to complete the haunt.

The end leads you back to the wrestling ring. They had plenty of performers that night, including another side show performer. He put spoons up his nose, ate fire and even stapled his “tips” to various parts of his body. I cannot say I’ve ever seen anything like this at a haunt.

Overall, it was a good time, worth the drive and for sure worth the money. I hope Tortured Souls compound keeps at it and makes it even bigger and better the next years to come. A huge thank you to all the workers out there. You guys were so kind and so great and I look forward to coming back again next season!