The Hayloft. A 1950s Mystery

batteries. I opened the flaps. Sure enough, there were D-size batteries inside. I moved my hand around, searching for a flashlight, but none was in the box.
    Where was the flashlight likely to be? The only flashlight I had seen during the tour was the one Veronica had been carrying, and she had taken that one out with her. Maybe there was no flashlight in the shelter. No, that didn’t make sense. Everything else was so well planned, even to the batteries. There must be a flashlight.
    I worked my way along the wall, trying to be methodical. I identified paper plates and metal cups, eating utensils, blankets, folded army cots, folding chairs, and a bunch of other stuff, but no flashlight. I also didn’t find a toolbox.
    A feeling of hopelessness enveloped me. My family was in danger, and there was no way I could warn them. While I was trying to think of a solution to my imprisonment, I returned to where the blankets and cots were stored. My family had used army cots for camping. They had crossed wooden legs and a canvas pad to sleep on. They folded up into portable bundles. Working as patiently as I could, I assembled one by feel. I threw a couple of blankets on it and now had a place to rest. But I couldn’t rest. I needed to get out of here.
    I sat on the cot and tried to organize my thoughts. I needed a light. And then I saw one. My eyes must be adjusting to the dark. A very faint light on the ceiling showed me where the ventilation hole was. I went and stood directly under the hole and looked up the shaft. A little light seeped in from the top. I retrieved one of the metal folding chairs and placed it under the hole. I stood on the chair, although I had to duck my head to avoid hitting it against the ceiling. I stuck my arm up the hole. I could feel a metal cylinder above the concrete. The light was coming through a hole in the cylinder.
    I had located a broom during my search. I found it again and stuck the handle up the hole. It hit something metallic. I thrust upwards with the broom and was greeted with a clang. I did this several more times. Judging from a rasping sound, whatever I was hitting was moving. After a particularly hard thrust, this object gave way and I looked directly up into the evening sky.
    I had knocked the top off the cylinder. I could see the outside world; I just couldn’t get to it. If only the hole were larger. If only…
    More light now came down the shaft, but this was rapidly waning, because it was getting dark outside. I quickly looked around the shelter. I could dimly see the equipment along the wall. I went to where the food was stored and found the paper bag with the utensils in it. I carried it under the ventilation hole and looked inside. Using a combination of sight and feel, I located a can opener in the bag. At least I could eat.
    I decided to use the remaining daylight to see what food was available. It was dinnertime, and I was hungry. I opened several boxes of canned food and carried cans over to the hole to identify the contents. I located a can of corned beef hash and a can of beets and decided that I had my dinner.
    I also found several metal cups. I opened the top of a large water bottle by feel and tried to pour water into the cup by tipping the bottle. Most of the water spilled onto the floor, but I did manage to fill the cup. It was cold to drink. What I really needed was some hot cocoa. I opened the cans, mostly by feel, and used a cheap metal fork to eat the hash and beets right out of them. The cold hash especially tasted yucky, but at least it would give me nourishment.
    By the time I finished eating, the small amount of light from the shaft was gone and I was back in total darkness. The mental lift this light had given me dissipated and my mood was as black as my surroundings. I had to keep busy.
    I made my way to the door and felt for the hinges. There were three and they were sturdy, but I was sure that with a pair of pliers, a screwdriver, and a hammer I could take the door off them. Perhaps even in the dark.
    Where was the toolbox? I decided to go through all the supplies again. I did this in detail, opening all the boxes and feeling all the contents. I moved boxes around to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. I was still looking for a flashlight, also, but I had no better luck finding that than I did finding tools.
    After going through everything thoroughly, my spirits were at a low. I was getting cold. I sat on the cot and wrapped myself in blankets.