The author, Jarod Reyes, created an interactive haunted house using Arduino and Twilio to build an interactive experience for trick-or-treaters. The system consists of pumpkins that change colors when texted a specific color or "chaos" via a mobile app. The project uses a circuit built with Arduino, LEDs, and power components, as well as a Sinatra app hosted on Heroku. The app receives incoming SMS messages through Twilio and triggers Pusher events to the Arduino, which changes the LED colors accordingly. The system aims to create a memorable experience for trick-or-treaters and their parents, while also showcasing the capabilities of Twilio and Pusher in interactive applications.