Ellie’s hands trembled as she pressed them against her ribs, wincing at the sharp stab of pain. Her jacket was torn, soaked through with melted snow and dried blood. She had no idea how long she’d been walking—days, maybe. Time blurred together when survival was the only thing on her mind.

The village appeared out of nowhere, tucked into the valley like a well-kept secret. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the faint sound of voices carried through the air, too distant to make out words. It was the first real sign of civilization she’d seen in weeks.

At first, she thought the silence was in her head, a trick of her tired mind. But as she walked past the first cluster of houses, she noticed it. The way people shrank back, eyes darting away as if looking at her for too long might be dangerous. Conversations cut off mid-sentence. A mother ushered her child indoors without a word. Even those who lingered outside, tending to repairs or hauling supplies, suddenly found a reason to be elsewhere.

Ellie frowned, shifting her weight uncomfortably. She was used to being an outsider, sure, but this was something else. Fear.

Her hand tightened around the strap of her pack.

“I’m not here to cause trouble,”

she muttered, mostly to herself. Her voice felt thin in the oppressive quiet but then again... it was barely louder than a whisper.

No one answered. No one even looked at her.

The smell of food drifted from somewhere nearby, making her stomach clench painfully. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to keep walking. Someone in this place had to be willing to talk, willing to—

A movement caught her eye. Not the same nervous avoidance as the others. Someone watching her.

Her grip on her pack loosened. Maybe she wouldn’t have to do this alone after all... then suddenly as she turned, you stood right I front of her