Chapter 12

After a very uncomfortable mornings sleep our friends woke up in a cold, dark storage. They had not slept well, and they were miserable. They ate some bread from the food they had stolen the previous night, and contemplated their situation.

“Military or not, I have to go to the bathroom!” Mac announced

The other agreed wholeheartedly. They even had to play rock-paper-scissors to decide who would get to go first.

While the others started a drawn out tournament, Sasha simply went downstairs. When she got back up the others had just decided that Mac would go first, so she went next.

Before she went to the bathroom, however, she dared venture to the front door to see if there was anyone around. To her great relief there was no sign of the military any longer. They must have left when they couldn’t find them.

Soon they were all sitting in the storage room again, looking at their bounty. It consisted mainly of bread and bread. There was some butter and caviar as well. The cheese was green, and they hadn’t even bothered to bring the milk – it would have been sour by now anyway. They did have some sour milk, but they were all a bit suspicious about it.

The real find was several kilos of pasta and some ketchup, and of course the obligatory rose hip soup with almond puffs. Ridley had brought some gruel as well. It might not look much, but it was better than nothing.

“So, do we stay up here or do we go downstairs?” Asher asked

“I think we should go downstairs.” Sasha said

“Is that wise? What if the military is still outside?” Ridley protested

“I looked when I went downstairs – they’re gone.” Mac said

“Let’s go then.” Asher said and stood up. He really missed his computer, even though it had no internet.

They packed up the food and dragged everything back to the apartment. Once inside they realized that they were still tired, and went to bed. Many hours later Sasha woke up with the feeling that something was missing. She looked beside her. But Ridley was still there, sleeping. What could it be?

She went into the kitchen and poured some water in a glass. While she drank she poked around in the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator – but it was nearly empty, nothing but ketchup and butter.

“If only I had some chocolate.” She thought. “Yes! That’s what’s missing!”

At that moment Mac entered the kitchen, and looked at Sasha’s exited face.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Chocolate.”

“Ahh…” Mac said, and realized she had a huge craving for chocolate.

“Did someone say chocolate?” Asher said, sticking his head out of his room.

“We don’t have any.” Sasha said.

“What’s going on?” Ridley said with a yawn as he entered the kitchen.

“We don’t have any chocolate.” Mac said sadly

They fell into silence for a while.

“Hang on…” Sasha said, and started going through her cupboard. “Ok, I have all the ingredients save one; cocoa.”

“Cocoa?” Mac said incredulously. “But you always have cocoa!”

“I know!” Sasha said. “I don’t know what’s happened to it!”

Asher and Ridley glanced at each other. They looked very guilty.

Sasha’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

“Uhm… So we might have used some cocoa a couple of weeks ago, when you were out.” Ridley said

“Do I even want to know?” Sasha said

“No.” Asher said firmly. “You really don’t.”

“I think…” Mac said, but fell silent.

Asher looked at her very intently. “Yes?”

“I think there might have been some cocoa in the daycare center…” She said

“Oh dear.” Sasha said

“I will get it for you!” Ridley said, looking very determined

“I don’t think it’s a very good idea…” Sasha said

“Nonsense! I will get it and that’s that!” Ridley said and went to the hallway. “Do you remember where you saw it, Mac?”

“I think it was in the cupboard to the left of the refrigerator. Behind the flour.”

“I’ll be back in a minute.” Ridley said and went out

10 minutes of long, nervous waiting later, he came back – carrying a large packet of cocoa!

Sasha hugged him hard and then she grabbed the package and ran to the kitchen. 3 hours later she emerged, covered in flour and cocoa, but looking very satisfied.

“It will be done in one and a half hour.”

They sat down in the living room, reading books and talking. 2 hours later Sasha retrieved the chocolate and they all dug in. It was by far the best chocolate they had ever tasted. Perhaps because the ingredients were stolen, and it had been prepared with such love and care. They all agreed that it had been a great day – epic, even.