TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT - 300 WORDS

           Hmm, the ones that don't get scared off by this, have potential. Mary Small smiled. Going to be seventy-five soon. Need to pass on my tricks. Must be a latchkey child who'd like to learn the ins and outs of draining blood from a dead body.
           Halloween again. Time for Mary to pick another child to snatch. No, not on Halloween, but one to watch...and wait. Then, when the time is right, another one will disappear from this "safe" neighborhood. No one suspected Mary. 
          "Not that nice little old lady who lives in the drafty Victorian on the corner?" Everyone said.
           An evil smile curled Mary's lips. Idiots! Never judge a book by its cover.
           Dressed as a witch, seven year old Sally Campbell rang Mary's doorbell. Surrounded by friends, Sally opened her bag for a treat.
           She's perfect. Mary made a note on a piece of paper by the telephone after Sally left.

          By ten o'clock all the trick-or-treaters were tucked safely into their beds. All but one. Joey Campbell rang Mary's door. Her gaze traveled over the strapping twelve-year-old boy. He could be the one.  She opened the door and let him in.
         "Have one of my homemade cookies, son." 
         "Are these safe?" He eyed her.
         "I'll eat one with you."
         Mary turned away briefly to close the door. They ate in silence. The evil smile on her face grew wider as she watched him devour the tasty confection. As she reached for a glass of cider, Joey's hand grabbed her wrist. 
          "You won't be needing that, old lady."
          Paralysis froze Mary's smile. Her eyes glazed over.
          "Time for a taste of your own medicine," Joey said.
          He picked up the stiff old woman, threw her over his shoulder and descended the steep steps to Mary's workroom in the basement.
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