SOLVED. Juvenile Fiction short story with a twist, takes place in the woods (maybe winter?), characters see a village in the distance. Spoilers ahead.

[Sara]

I read this in middle school around 2005-2007 while reading several short stories with twists. To the best of my memory, this one involves two characters that are walking in the woods, maybe in the winter time. They may or may not be injured. They can either hear or see a village in the distance.



SPOILER


Here comes the twist!




It ends up that these two characters are deer, or some sort of animal that is hunted. So while we initially think they will be safe when/if they reach the village, it's actually the opposite.

[Rose]

Sounds similar to The Interlopers, by Saki

[Sara]

I found it! It's Johanna by Jane Yolen!

[Kris]

Sara, glad you found your short story collection. Thanks for the update. Here's the link - Johanna by Jane Yolen.