Chapter 7: The Rescue
The sun was setting, though it couldn't be seen through the thick formation of clouds in the sky. The moon was rising, the air was thin, and the snow and ice never ceased to pelt down on the earth. Darkness would soon arrive as the day shifted into night.
Rolf had dug deep into the ice layer by this evening and was just above the opening to the sewer. Inside the sewer, the kids were desperately in need of what Rolf was about to give them. They had not eaten anything this entire day, and they were shivering and jittering constantly.
Eventually, Rolf realized that he could punch his numb hand through a small one-inch layer of ice that was left blocking him. He vigorously began pounding away at this ice instead of chiseling and finally blasted open a hole large enough to fit himself and his wagon full of essentials. The kids' rescue had come.
"You kids look sicker than Wilfred in pig-flu season." Rolf muttered, seeing the kids who could barely move. "Rolf has brought the food, water, and apparel that you requested."
"Th-thanks, Rolf." Kevin murmured, his voice low, cracked, and gloomy.
Rolf yanked the wagon down the sewer stairs and stationed it on the sewer sidewalk. He dumped out the contents, realizing that he had lost some of it out in the blizzard, but not enough to make a huge difference.
The kids were relieved to see food, water, and warm clothing, after enduring an entire day without this. They grabbed every piece of clothing and bundled themselves in it, seeking warmth from the cold temperatures. At this time, Rolf turned on his battery-run portable heater for the kids, which soon warmed the area significantly.
Rolf also stacked up the food that he had brought, which the kids dug into quickly and began to eat. Pretty soon, the kids had eaten at least three fourths of the food Rolf had brought and drank almost all of the water. Finally, the kids were starting to feel better.
However, they realized that they were not in the clear just yet. The blizzard was still raging outside and showed no signs of stopping. The wind was howling and blowing all the snow and ice around. The clouds blocked the sun and the cold air made it a very uncomfortable place.
The kids had refreshed themselves enough, and they were ready to go to sleep. They still had to endure the filth of the sewer, but at least they were a little warmer, they had proper clothing, and they had consumed the needed amount of food and water. Rolf found some clothing and food for himself, and settled down by the sewer ladder to go to sleep.
The blizzard continued to sweep across the bitterly cold land above, and the moon tucked itself in between two clouds. It was night time on this winter day in the cul-de-sac.