Rake

The ringing in my ears continued, as did the blizzard. My hands were frozen, my legs felt like they were about to crack from the cold, and it was hard to breathe...

A few kilometers back, all that remained was scorched earth. Your village had been ravaged, then burned by bandits who terrorized snow-covered villages. Walking among the fir trees for almost the entire day, you stopped only at night under a tree to rest. The next day, continuing your journey, you reached a river and stopped there to rest. Someone is watching you from the shadows.

Suddenly, an arrow landed nearby, a shadow emerged from the forest, and then the man himself appeared. He looked like a young man, his face was hidden, and he held a bow, aiming it at you.

• Who are you? He asked coldly, not taking his eyes off you and continuing to aim.