By: Allison Gillette

All Hallows Eve, a night of fun filled terror. Witch’s fly through foggy moon lit skies, skeletons dance from their caskets to fill grave yards with eerie rattles and clanks, and children clad as horrifying beasts belt out a familiar phrase in seek of a sugary snack to celebrate. But it may

surprise you to know the saying “trick or treat” is just five years shy of being 100 years old.

Blackie, Alberta Canada, 1927. Over the past few decades All Hallows Eve celebrations have become increasingly destructive and violent. Rampant reports of property damage and theft. A rash of violent attacks under the cover of dark and costume. The citizens are scared, fed up, and if this year’s festivities are anything like last year’s the town may very well ban the celebration of all hallows eve. Deciding it was enough one reporter set out to find out if their town could be spared another yearly night of horror, or were they doomed to see their quaint town become hell on earth. Through some sleuthing they find a few properties that have managed to escape the mayhem each year. One, owned by an elderly woman, even seemed

to garner protection from otherwise destructive partiers. Could it be age? No, not all of the spared are the same age, one couple in their 30s with a new young child had nothing that set

them apart from their nearly identical neighbors across the street who never seemed to escape the torment. But there is one thing the spared share in common. Each spared home owner confides they offered a bribe of sorts in exchange for their property’s safety, a treat of sweets. It began to make sense, the couple with the child, the elderly woman, all those spared were only granted mercy from their generosity.

With that idea a tradition was born. Just days before All Hallows Eve is set to take place an article reaches the people of Blackie in time to bring a saving grace, when the celebrators offer mischievous tricks disarm them with sweet treats!