Under the spell of a waning moon, ten-year-old Benny Stevens shoved his hand into his Halloween pumpkin bucket and pulled out his best piece yet, a large milk chocolate bar. After trick or treating all evening in the tiny town of Salem, he had one stop remaining – the haunted Sullivan mansion at the end of the street.
Trepidation bristling, Benny took a deep breath and approached the imposing mansion door, the chilling wind whispering ghoulish vows. He gingerly knocked, the echo sounding eerily through the house. The door slowly creaked open and an old woman named Mrs. Sullivan, infamous for living alone since her husband’s mysterious disappearance, stood there with a kind smile.
“One milk chocolate bar, that’s the price,” she rasped, reaching for the candy. Benny looked down at his prized treat and then bravely handed it over. She took the candy, bit into it, and the years fell from her. Warn wrinkles turned smooth and golden hair replaced the grey wisps. A dash of youthful liveliness sparkled in her eye.
Astonished, Benny could only stutter, “Your husband…?” The now-young Mrs. Sullivan winked, replying, “Right here,” motioning to the chocolate bar in Benny’s bucket. And there it was, another milk chocolate bar, suspiciously gentleman-like with an enigmatic smile, all set for next Halloween’s daredevil!