Death in the Air

It was a dark and stormy night.

The thunder overhead rumbled ominously, rain pattering against cracked cobblestone paths. A lonely traveler found himself in an old village, desolate wooden buildings creaking precariously in the wind. Perhaps, the man thought, he could seek refuge from the storm here.

He climbed the nearest house's stairs, the planks beneath him groaning their dissent. Ignoring it, the traveler pulled at the door, wincing at the rasping noise.

Inside, the house was battered and worn, yet cosy. Putting down his meager belongings, the man checked around the abandoned building.

Minutes later, he was fleeing the village in terror.