Don't go into the woods, girl, on All Hallows' Eve.

Any other time, you are safe, for the world of the fae is sealed by an impenetrable barrier. But on this night, and this night only, they can cross into the world of men.

Oh, I know, girl, you wish to make a deal. Everyone does, at first. But a smart girl will stay away from the monsters in the forest, the fae who will steal everything you have and give you nothing in return.

Fair? The fae don't play fair. To them, the greatest reward a human can receive is death, for our mortal souls are weak and unfit for this world. They will not heal your dying mother, they will not make you rich, and they will not give you magic of your own.

Instead they will give you pain, and fear, and sorrow. They will call it a fair trade and you will not be able to argue, for who can argue with the fae?

No, stay away from those woods. They are looking for someone like you, someone young and weak and easily tricked. Someone who will give them waht they desire most: A human soul, for all the magic in the world cannot stop a human soul from crossing the barrier. Your soul is freedom, and you must not give it to them, though they will try to convince you it's only a soul. They cannot know the value of your soul, for they have none.

Trust not a word they say. Trust no one on this terrible day, for the barrier is thin and the woods are not the only danger. Buy nothing, sell nothing, don't shake a hand or make a promise or give your name. You are in danger, every moment you spend in the company of another.

Oh, you'll be different? Only one woman has ever evaded the fae, my dear. And yes, she was different.

But she suffered, in the end. The fae were angry and they could not be stopped in their wrath. The girl is alive, but the moment her heart stops beating she will be a servant of the fae, her soul belonging to the monsters.

Why do I know?

Darling, don't ask that. Ask what you can do to stop her, stop her from giving up her soul to the fae.

Because she will be dragged down into the depths of hell, but perhaps her soul can stay.

Yes, take it child, take the girl's soul. Stay away from the demons and survive, survive this night. The fae will have the girl but not the soul, and your world will be safe.

Why do I know?

Well, darling, whose soul do you think you'll be taking?