By SARAH BELLIS

Whidbey News-Times Intern

The moment I stepped into the haunted maze at the Roller Barn, the world went completely black. I was in the middle of our five-person group, which, as it turns out, is the worst place to be.

The floor beneath us began to pulse and vibrate — first a soft squish, then a violent buzz that had me hopping in place. The walls hissed and whooshed with bursts of compressed air from hidden cannons, sending me spinning in every direction. Somewhere ahead, a chainsaw roared to life. I wanted out immediately — but I couldn’t stop laughing.

Later, James Croft, who co-owns the Roller Barn with his wife Priscilla, explained the psychology behind the fear.

“If you come in and you’re not overly scared, we’re not going to put in a lot of effort to make you sca

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