The Ghost of Wayland Hall

Thriller by: Deborah "Cop Killa" Armusewicz
Photo by: Alex "Midget Slapping" Vessels

Two years ago, I was a sophomore living in Wayland Hall. One night, while telling ghost stories in the basement with a friend of mine who happened to be an RA, a strange and chilling story was revealed, a story that made me fear the ground floor of Wayland, a story that may make you reconsider where you live. The details are fuzzy, for this is something they don’t want students to know, but the events are true. Past, present, and future Wayland residents, you be the judge.

Many years ago, shortly after the construction of Wayland Hall, a girl moved into the basement and started her school year. She began dating a fellow student, a boy who was pledging a fraternity. She supported his efforts and they were both excited for his final initiation into the frat. Finally, the time came for his last test of loyalty to the frat.

The brothers told him that his last challenge was to lay down on the train tracks behind Wayland Hall while the slow moving freight train passed over his body. They assured him people had done it before, and that unless he moved, there was no danger.

He revealed this to his girlfriend, who promply lost her temper and refused to allow him to participate in the deadly rite of passage. They fought, and she gave him an ultimatum. It was either her or the frat. He chose the girl, and she fell asleep that night reassured of his love.

Late that night, she was awakened from a deep sleep by the sound of yelling, and a train whistle blowing. The voices sounded very near. She looked out the window, and saw the fraternity members outside, facing the train tracks and cheering as the train moved closer and closer. She ran outside, knowing what was happening, but she was too late. She got outside just in time to see the train pass over her boyfriend’s body, which was stiff with fear. When the train moved on, the crowd fell silent. Perhaps hearing her voice, perhaps feeling brave, he had moved, and his mangled body was all that remained.

The girl couldn’t handle what she had seen, and immediately packed up her belongings and left Wayland, never to return to JMU. But the question now must be asked, was that body all that remained of the boy? Supposedly his ghost still lingers, roaming the halls of Wayland, wandering from room to room, madly searching for his missing girlfriend, desperately wanting to find her love again. Wayland residents, have you heard his footsteps? Have you felt a strange breeze brush past you? Do not wonder any longer what is there, but wish this lost soul luck in someday finding his love again.