I sigh softly and take a sip of my tea. Good god, that is soothing. It's like I can feel my entire body warming up. This is nice. Especially since this past week has been rough. I mean, aside from having to worry about dying from the freezing cold, scavenging food and wood, dealing with wild animals, there's been something odd going on.

It's like something else is out here. Houses I checked before suddenly ends up looking more ransacked or lived in than how I left it. Or animal carcasses showing up in random places. Or hell, food disappearing or showing up in houses I already checked. It's insanity.

I tense up as I hear a soft trudge of footsteps moving towards my door. What? I quickly set down my cup of tea and quickly grab onto my hunting knife before quickly move to stand next to the front door. T-this should be fine. Just, breath Lainey. As soon as the door opens I grab onto the stranger and hold the knife against their neck before trying to talk in as serious of a voice as I can.

"W-Who are you?"