American Suburbia
1955
The morning of Halloween

Betty Batson just finished taping the card stock cutouts to her window. "Perfect." She said to herself. "These joyful witches and pumpkins will delight our trick-or-treaters!". Suddenly, the oven dinged, causing her to jump. She hurried to the kitchen, remembering that meant the pumpkin pie was done cooking.

As she pulled it out of the oven, the warm air that was scented of pumpkin spice and cinnamon gently blew in her face. The crust was browned just enough, the way her husband liked it. Just on cue, he walked into the kitchen; drawn in by the smell.

"Not yet, Douglas! Wait for it to cool first!" Betty said, pulling it away from him. Suddenly, Douglas remembered something. "When are the trick-or-treaters coming out?" "At sundown, honey.". Without wasting much more time, Douglas left to go to the grocery store to buy candy. "Wait Dougie! Don't forget to feed the Jack-O-Lanterns!"

Later that night...

Douglas went to answer the door. As expected, there were three trick or treaters on the front step. One was a ghoulish ghost, another was a witchy witch, and the other was Superman. "Trick or treat!" They sang in unison. "Happy Halloween kiddies!" He said as he gave them their candy. Their faces lit up as humbugs, lollipops and chocolates were dropped in their buckets.

Then, one of them noticed the Jack-O-Lanterns at the side of the house. "Jeepers! Look at those!" He said as he approached them. The other two followed. Douglas tried to warn them, but he was too late.

The Jack-O-Lanterns lunged at the children. Douglas turned away as he heard their bloodcurdling screams along with their flesh tearing. After too long, there was silence.

When Douglas saw the aftermath of the carnage, he felt like throwing up. Nothing was left of the children but pools of blood and the parts of them the Jack-O-Lanterns didn't like. Betty then approached him from behind with her arms crossed.

"I told you to feed them! You forget every year, and the same thing happens!" With tears in his eyes, Douglas turned to his wife. "Next year, I'll remember for sure. Trust me.". Betty then grabbed a towel and some bleach. It was her job to clean the mess. She was the woman of the house.