Shivering against the cold, I trudge through the glistening snow, surrounded by trees dusted with white frost. My hands shake beneath my coat, aching for the warmth of a fire and a hot drink. I can’t seem to remember which direction I started the hike in, and now the snow has covered my footprints and diminished any hope of getting back. I’m more afraid than I’d like to admit, because I know the winter isn’t kind to a lost human who knows nothing of their surroundings. Now, through the trees I glimpse what looks to be a light. I walk towards it hesitantly, trying to see what it it is. As I come closer I realize it’s a house, covered in white snow with wide glass windows. Through the glass I see warm tinted lights, and a room full of books and complete with a fireplace, flickering with heat. My heart pounds and I feel a slight feeling of relief in my chest. If I’m lucky, whoever lives here might be kind enough to let me in and then eventually guid me back to where I set off on the hike. I approach the wooden door, lifting my hand to knock. I wait for a few moments before I hear footsteps coming to the door. The click of a lock, and it opens wide. I’m greeting with the smell of crackling wood and baked goods, along with a shower of heat. An older woman stands in the doorway, wearing a knitted sweater with grey hair framing her wrinkled face. The most peculiar part of her are her eyes, glowing black as onyx. She smiles warmly at me, but there’s something sharper under that smile. “Hello dear. Please, come in. I’ve been waiting for you.”