The first snowfall of the season has arrived overnight, blanketing your small town in six inches of pristine white snow. You wake to silence—no cars rumbling down the street, no children laughing on their way to school. The storm has closed the main road connecting your town to the highway, effectively isolating everyone for the day. Your breath fogs in front of your face as you stand at the kitchen window, watching snowflakes continue to drift lazily from the overcast sky. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the faint smell of wood smoke coming from the fireplace. Through the frosty glass, you can see Mr. Henderson across the street shoveling his driveway, his breath visible in short puffs as he works. The sound of his shovel scraping against the concrete echoes through the quiet neighborhood.

You check your phone—no service. The power flickers momentarily before stabilizing, casting shadows that dance across your kitchen walls. A notification on your landline phone displays the automated message: "Road conditions hazardous. Please avoid unnecessary travel." With the day stretching before you and no way to leave town even if you wanted to, you wonder how you'll spend this unexpected day of isolation.