Silent and empty

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 die in that explosion that hit our village last night?

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice calling my name from upstairs. I ran up the staircase and entered my room. I gasped loudly when I saw the mess inside. I stood frozen in my spot as I took in the wreckage.

Books and papers were scattered everywhere and there was a huge hole in the wall that must have been where the ceil