Chapter 12 - THE WINTER STORMBy mid-December, the temperature across northern Ohio plummeted into single digits. A fierce arctic front swept down from the Great Lakes, bringing howling winds and heavy, blinding snow that crippled the small town of Oak Creek.
Nora stood by the front window of her rented house on 3rd Street—a small, drafty bungalow three blocks away from the cottage on Willow Lane.
The power had failed two hours ago. The radiators were already cold, and ice was forming on the inside of the single-pane glass.
"Mom, I'm cold," Toby said, wrapped in three blankets on the sofa, his breath visible in the freezing air of the living room.
"I know, sweetie," Nora said, wrapping another quilt tightly around his shoulders. "The city crews are working on the power lines. It'll be back on soon."
Suddenly, a loud CRACK echoed through the street outside, followed by a heavy thud against the roof.
Nora gasped as plaster dust rained down from the ceiling. A massive, snow-laden oak branch had snapped under the weight of the ice, smashing directly through the roof section above the small kitchen. Freezing air and heavy snow began pouring into the rear of the house.
Within five minutes, the phone on the counter chimed. It was Adrien calling from his rented apartment on Main Street.
"Nora? Are you okay? The power grid for the whole south quadrant just blew."
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"Adrien... a tree branch broke through the kitchen roof," Nora said, her voice shaking from the bitter cold and sudden shock. "The house is freezing. We can't stay here."
"Don't move," Adrien said instantly, his voice snapping into calm, decisive focus. "I'm on my way. I'm bringing the truck."
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