The guards led them to the center of the square, where they were joined by other families, all of whom looked scared and confused. They were herded like sheep, facing scrutiny under the cold gaze of the guards.
The people watched in horror as lifeless bodies were carried and thrown into burning flames set up at the far end of the square. As the flames crackled and the smoke rose into the sky, the villagers began to whisper amongst themselves. Some looked frightened, while others seemed resigned to their fate. A few began to cry, their sobs echoing across the square.
"What's happening?" a woman in the crowd asked another.
Another woman, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and fear, responded, "They are burning the bodies of those killed by the vampires. It's to prevent the spread of infection."
"Why not bury them? Let their souls rest," the first woman asked, a quiver in her voice.
