[ WP ] Select a Christmas Carol of your choice and write a horror story based off of the words/theme of the song .

Danya was freezing in the howling wind. This was, in some ways, her own fault. She'd chosen the wrong time to head out into the woods, and night had fallen before she'd been able to find her way home. Something in the dark had spooked her horse, and the mare had bolted and run away, throwing her into the snow and leaving her behind. Now she trudged through the icy forest alone, desperately lost and growing colder by the minute. 
 
 Suddenly, she saw a flickering light in the distance. She faintly heard the sound of laughter and music. She could even smell a hint of roasted meats and burning wood. Energized by the possibility of finding help, Danya wrapped her cloak closer around her and ran towards the light. 
 
 The light revealed a gigantic log cabin as she approached, lit by burning torches and flickering lanterns. Raucous laughter drifted out from the gaps between the logs, bringing with them the welcome aromas of food and drink. Danya stumbled to the front door and pounded on it with her fist. 
 
 In an instant, the door was flung open, bathing her in a warm glow. A tall old man, bushy-bearded and ruddy-faced, stood in the doorway. His lips split into a joyous grin and he spread his arms wide. 
 
 `` What have we here, little girl? Are you lost? Come in, come in and join our festivities!'' The man's voice boomed like a drum, his red hair and beard matching the color of the flames in the hearth. 
 
 `` Thank... thank you,'' Danya whispered, and made her way into the cabin. It was delightfully warm. There were men and women inside, at least twenty or thirty, young and old, and they sat in a circle around the blazing fire in the hearth in the middle of the cabin. Warm and welcoming smiles met Danya's gaze from all directions. 
 
 The bearded man thrust a mug into Danya's hand, and said, `` Come, drink this. It'll take the cold out of your bones right away!'' 
 
 Danya looked down at her drink. It looked like red wine, but smelled of honey, wild berries and other unknown scents, instead of grapes. She took a sip. The liquid burned the chill out of her body as it descended, and she smiled in delight. 
 
 The man smiled as well, in response. He then turned to the others. `` Come! Let us sing!'' There was widespread approval at this suggestion, with many people laughing, raising their mugs, and standing up. 
 
 *Deck the hall with boughs of holly, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 *'Tis the season to be jolly, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 *Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 *Troul the ancient Christmas carol, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 
 Indeed, the inside of the cabin was decorated with holly leaves and berries. Danya looked down at her drink in surprise. Did they add holly to her wine? But holly was poisonous! Danya was momentarily alarmed, but then relaxed. Surely they would n't. Surely they would n't. 
 
 A large cooking pot was set up beside the hearth. A stew simmered in it, bringing aromas of meat and lentils. Danya realized she was hungry. No one else was eating, though. Perhaps the stew was n't done yet. 
 
 More and more people got to their feet. They began to dance, twirling and whirling around the hearth. Their song continued. 
 
 *See the flowing bowl before us, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 *Strike the harp and join the chorus. * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 *Follow me in merry measure, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 *While I sing of beauty's treasure, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 
 Someone grabbed Danya's hand and heaved her to her feet. She found herself joining the throng dancing around the fire, her delighted laughter joining the cacophonous peals from the others. This was such fun! Her head felt light and woozy, and her steps faltered, but she did not want to stop. Surely this was the greatest sensation in the world! She did not even notice that the song had changed. 
 
 *Fast away the old year passes, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 *Hail the new, ye lads and lasses! * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 *Laughing, quaffing all together, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 *Heedless of the wind and weather, * 
 *Fa la la la la la la la la. * 
 
 Panting, exhausted, Danya collapsed to the floor, her belly aching from laughter. The men and women converged around her. Their smiles were no longer warm, their laughter no longer jovial. The man with the beard, the one who had let her in, grinned toothily at her. `` She's ready. She's ready. It's time.'' 
 
 He lifted Danya's arms to his lips and sank his teeth into her flesh. Laughing, shrieking, they quaffed her blood and feasted on her flesh, while the dark wind howled on outside.
