“Trick or Treat!”

“Oh my goodness,” Mrs. Stallworth said. “Your costumes are so scary!”

There on her doorstop stood a collection of neighborhood children. They wore Halloween costumes and held plastic buckets for candy.

“Let’s see…” Mrs. Stallworth said. “Hmm, is that a princess? No, that’s Susie! And is that a mummy? Wait, I think that’s Kenny!”

The princess and mummy giggled. “It’s us, Mrs. Stallworth!”

“Hmm, who else do we have here?” Mrs. Stallworth adjusted her glasses so that she could see better. “I see two ghosts and a pirate. It that the Williams twins and Little Bobby?”

The two ghosts and the pirate nodded their heads. “We’re here, Mrs. Stallworth!”

“Your costumes are so cute!” Mrs. Stallworth said. “I think you deserve some candy. Who wants some?”

The children jumped up and down in excitement. “We do, Mrs. Stallworth! We want the candy!”

“All right,” Mrs. Stallworth chuckled, putting a piece of candy into each one of their buckets. “Here you go!”

The children cheered. “Thanks, Mrs. Stallworth!”

“Go get some more candy,” Mrs. Stallworth said, shooing them away. “I’m sure the other neighbors will have plenty more for you.”

She watched as the group of children ran down her driveway, excitedly making their way to the house next door. Taking one last glance, she closed the door.

“Well done,” said the man behind her.

Mrs. Stallworth’s lips trembled. A single tear dripped down her cheek. “That’s the fifth group of children tonight. Isn’t that enough for you?”

“No,” replied the man. He cocked his gun and held it to her temple. “You know there’s still some more left over.”

Mrs. Stallworth closed her eyes, a sob shaking her frail body. The man sneered at her.

“Stop being so dramatic. They’re just kids. They’re replaceable. Their parents can always have more.”

“You’re sick,” Mrs. Stallworth muttered, tears streaming down her face. “You’re a monster.”

“Am I though?” The man smirked at her. “You’re the one giving them the candy.”

“Only because you said you’d kill me if I didn’t,” said Mrs. Stallworth through clenched teeth.

The man laughed. “Yes, and with that attitude, I’ll kill you even if you do everything I say.” Mrs. Stallworth sobbed.

“Look,” he said, motioning towards the pile of razor blades on the kitchen table. “There’s only ten blades left. You’re almost done.” He pressed the gun to her temple again. “Don’t make me ask twice.”

Mrs. Stallworth nodded, her tears wet on her face. She grabbed a razor blade and shoved it into a piece of chocolate candy.

“Good,” said the man. “Nine more to go.”