What aspects of the story’s natural setting are emphasized in the introductory paragraphs?

More than anything, the scene is very dark/dim and has the feeling of being wooded and difficult to see through. This setting, combined with the dark mood of one of the characters as he patrols in search of his neighbor, makes the story already have a setting which is neither upbeat or happy, but rather dismal and dreary. This foreshadows the tragedy that happens at the end of the story.