The gates were ripped off the hinges and lay broken in the snow. A dark red stain stained the pristine white snow below. The front doors were hanging uselessly by their hinges. The house looked absolutely devastated.

I walked inside warily, looking around for any sign of life. I frowned when I realized that there was nothing there. The house was silent and empty. I walked further into the empty hall, searching for some sort of clue as to where everyone had gone.

After searching the entire house thoroughly, I came to the realization that no one was here. Where were the villagers? Did they escape? Or did they all...