Chapter 11

"Knowledge," he murmured, "is the last spark of civilization."A few days later, a middle-aged man, thin as a skeleton, braved the blizzard and came to the villa. He brought no gifts. Instead, he knelt in the snow and bowed three times in the direction of the basement."Please... I'm begging you... Save my daughter..." His voice was hoarse. "She's had a fever for three days... We don't have any medicine... She's only seven..."I watched him through the observation slit.His clothes were so badly torn that they offered almost no protection against the cold. His face was covered in frostbite sores, but the desperation in his eyes was unmistakable.I turned to Uncle Xavier.He was preparing a new medication, a crude antibiotic made from penicillin ingredients we'd found and distilled water. Its purity was low, but it might still work.Without a word, he filled a small bottle and handed it to me. Then he pointed toward the corner where we kept our limited supply of fever reducers.

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Chapter 12

My parents had also found their place in this new order.Dad became a permanent assistant in Uncle Xavier's laboratory, while Mom took charge of managing the steadily expanding indoor growing area.They seemed to have accepted the situation. In fact, they were even beginning to enjoy the feeling of being useful.But Jayla was different. She grew increasingly quiet and restless.She watched the newcomers, watching how they could exchange a little labor for knowledge and assistance. Her eyes were filled with resentment."Why?" I overheard her complaining to Mom in a corner one evening. "We're his family! We've sacrificed so much! But look at us now! Those outsiders just have to bow a few times and offer him some worthless junk to get the same things we do, sometimes even better!""Keep your voice down!" Mom glanced nervously toward the core area. "Things are already good enough. Don't cause any more trouble...""Good? What's so good about this?!" Jayla's voice rose. "We work like

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Chapter 13

"Dad, Mom," I said without turning around, "cover your ears and keep your eyes shut. No matter what you hear, don't open them."Then I pulled down the control lever.A piercing shriek erupted outside. It was the sound of high-pressure gas rushing through narrow pipes.A moment later came the sound of heavy bodies hitting the ground, agonized groans, and Jayla's terrified screams.Ten seconds later, everything fell silent. I looked outside again.All the men were sprawled on the ground, curled up in pain.The high-pressure airflow had carried a special irritating powder Uncle Xavier had developed, enough to temporarily incapacitate anyone caught in its path.Only Jayla, who was standing beyond the vents and out of the blast, remained upright.Uncle Xavier walked to the door and opened it. The wind and snow rushed inside, but he stood there, his back straight and unyielding.He stared at Jayla for a long time. Then he commanded, "Leave."Jayla opened her mouth, seemingly wantin

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Todos os capítulos de They Left Us to Freeze: Capítulo 11 - Capítulo 13

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13