Region's Most Haunted Bridge Offended by Poor Showing in Annual Ghost Tour Rankings

The Whispering Creek Covered Bridge, long regarded as the most haunted structure in Craven County, has been ranked a mere two out of five stars on SpookyTrails.com, the nation's leading ghost tour review platform, prompting what locals describe as 'a noticeable increase in paranormal activity consistent with wounded pride.' The review, posted by user GhostHunter_Mike_2024, reads: 'Went at midnight. Bridge creaked a bit. Felt a slight chill. Overall underwhelming. The haunted Dairy Queen on Route 9 is way scarier.' Since the review's publication, residents report that the bridge has been 'acting out.' Boards that previously creaked subtly now groan at theatrical volume. A fog that once gathered gently now rolls in 'with what can only be described as dramatic intent.' Several motorists report that the bridge's structural timbers have rearranged themselves to form what appears to be a frowning face. 'She's upset,' said local historian Prudence Ashmore, who refers to the bridge by the feminine pronoun. 'She has been faithfully haunting this crossing since 1823. She was terrifying travelers before that Dairy Queen even existed. A two-star review is an insult.' The Craven County Tourism Board has attempted to mediate, posting a five-star counter-review praising the bridge's 'commitment to sustained atmospheric dread.' However, the bridge appears unsatisfied. Last Thursday, GhostHunter_Mike_2024 reported that his car would not start after crossing the bridge and that his phone's photo gallery had been replaced entirely with pictures of the bridge 'from angles that suggest the photos were taken by the bridge itself.' He has since updated his review to three stars.