Being able to scare people in a haunted house and being paid to do it is a passion of senior Emily Bono.

Bono has been working at Evil Intentions Haunted House in Elgin since September. Maximum Security is the room that Bono works as an actor.

“It’s set up like a prison. Everyone in that room is dressed in straight jackets and we’re all bloody and bruised up. I most of the time wear a half mask,” Bono said.

Working as an actor for a haunted house is the perfect fit for Bono.

“I like spooky things, so it was already appealing to me. I enjoy doing special effects makeup on myself and other people, even though that isn’t my job at the haunt. I love horror movies and scary stories and Halloween, so working at a haunted house makes things even better,” Bono said.

It takes Bono about 10 minutes to put her makeup on. Three makeup artists accompany Bono to put on her makeup.

“We use cream makeup for bruises, water activated face paints for blacking out our eyes and mouths and doing splattering details, and scab blood for doing wounds,” Bono said.

Bono recalls when she was hanging upside down one night and the group coming through thought she was a prop.

When the group was less than a foot from her, she got in their faces and one of the biggest guys fell over. She also made a woman fall over the same night by chasing her down the hallway.

“I enjoy making grown adults nearly pee their pants,” Bono said.

Bono wants her audience to have a look of terror as she scares them.

“I mainly just reach towards them and get into their faces. The only downside is getting in people’s faces means you might get punched, but the look of terror on their faces is what makes it worth it,” Bono said.

Besides scaring people, Bono loves her job because her co-workers are supportive towards each other.

“Everyone at our haunt is super supportive and sweet. They’re my family and they’re what make going there every night great. I also enjoy scaring people,” Bono said.

Evil Intentions general admission is $25 per person. The house is located at 900 Grace Street in Elgin.

A fastpass, which gets people into the haunted house quicker, costs $35.

From Sunday-Thursday Evil Intentions is opened from 7.30-10 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays the house is extended until midnight.