Ní raibh an domhan mar a bhíodh.

The world was not as it used to be.

Bhí an sneachta tiubh agus fuar, ag séideadh tríd na fuinneoga briste sa scoil d'aois.

The snow was thick and cold, blowing through the broken windows of the old school.

Bhí Aisling agus Cian ag teacht go dtí an scoil seo, an áit ar fhoghlaim siad uair amháin, ach anois ina fothrach.

Aisling and Cian were coming to this school, the place where they once learned, but now just a ruin.

Aisling, cé go raibh eagla uirthi, bhí sí diongbháilte.

Aisling, even though she was scared, was determined.

Bhí ar a shlí agus cúram a thabhairt ar Cian, a dheartháir beag.

She had to look after Cian, her little brother.

"Fan in aice liom," a dúirt sí go séimhach leis, ach bhí a fhios aici nach bhféadfadh siad an lá a dhéanamh gan bia nó dídean.

"Stay close to me," she said softly to him, but she knew they couldn’t make it through the day without food or shelter.

Bhí ar idirscríobh chomh maith agus d’inis sí do Cian: "Comhaireamh na seomraí.

She had a plan and told Cian: "Count the rooms.

Tá siad ann ar an bpríomhshráid go léir.

They’re all on the main street.

Mura féidir linn rud a fháil, b'fhéidir go mbeidh seans eile i gceann eile seomra."

If we can't find something, maybe there'll be another chance in another room."

Rinne siad cinneadh ar feadh tamaill gearr, ag súil níos géire ar an gcéad fhoirgneamh.

They made a decision for a short while, staring intently at the first building.

Bhí cuma ghránna ar na hallaí - litiar sa tsráid mar fhaiche, boird cealaithe, agus soilse exa ar feithreáileadh le feiceáil.

The halls looked grim - litter in the street like grass, overturned tables, and exposed exa lights.

Ach, bhí an dóchas in intinn Aisling.

But, hope was in Aisling's mind.

Bhí sí ag súil le bia agus dídean.

She was hoping for food and shelter.

I lár an turas, mhol Aisling go roinnfidís suas le siúl níos sciobtha.

In the middle of the trip, Aisling suggested they split up to search faster.

"Ní bheidh mé fada," a dúirt sí le Cian.

"I won’t be long," she said to Cian.

Ach bhí barraíocht eagla sa dorchaigh.

But there was too much fear in the darkness.

Bhí sé ag crawling leis crith.

He was trembling and crawling.

"Go raibh maith agat, Aisling," a d'fhreagair sé go measartha, ag dul ar cheisteanna samhlaíocht a chur uirthi ar aghaidh.

"Thank you, Aisling," he responded timidly, spurring her imagination onward.

D'oscail Aisling doras ceann de na seomraí agus thug sí faoi deara rud éigin ann...barraí adhmaid ag bac seomra stórála ríthábhachtach.

Aisling opened the door to one of the rooms and noticed something there...wooden bars blocking a crucial storage room.

Chluin Cian gur torann corr a bhí ag tarraingt air, cúis imní.

Cian heard a strange noise drawing him, a cause for concern.

"Cian!" scairt Aisling, a fhilleadh go tapa.

"Cian!" Aisling shouted, returning quickly.

Bhí lámh aige.

He held a reassuring hand.

"Tá mé ceart go leor," a ghlaoigh sé, drithiúil ach cróga.

"I'm okay," he called back, nervous but brave.

Áfach, níor ghlac Aisling leis uaireanta easpa.

However, Aisling didn’t accept seconds of delay.

Le iarracht chéile, scaoil siad an doras.

With combined efforts, they forced the door open.

Bhí plean ag Aisling.

Aisling had a plan.

Bhain sí úsáid as barra iarainn aimsir ó tháillte eile chun éagsúil a bhaint.

She used a weathered iron bar from elsewhere to pry away obstacles.

Agus Cian idir lámha, bhrúigh siad le chéile.

With Cian's help, they pushed together.

Briseadh na bacainní.

The barriers broke.

Ansin, osclaíodh doras solais na suí.

Then, the door to salvation was opened.

An t-ádh a bhí orthu, bhí go leor calóga ann a raibh tuata cábhaigin go raibh gá leo sna lachtanna fuar dorcha.

Luckily for them, there were plenty of supplies from which nutritious provisions could be gathered for the cold, dark nights.

Iomaire paintéireacht le chéile, gach ceann ag dul ar aghaidh le fáil éacht.

Painting hope together, each one moved forward to achieve success.

Bhí an áthas agus faoiseamh sa deireadh.

In the end, there was joy and relief.

Bhí bia acu go leor cluiche.

They had enough supplies for a small army.

Bhí níos mó muinín ag Aisling ina treoraíocht.

Aisling gained more trust in her leadership.

Agus bhí Cian fhoghlaim ann iontaofacht féin a thuilleamh.

And Cian learned to earn trust in himself.

Bhí an dorchadas lasmuigh fós fadtéarmach, ach anois d'fhan sé solas laistigh dá dúchas.

The darkness outside still lingered, but now there was a light within their haven.

An scoil d’fhan neamháitrithe, ach bhí sé ina shlánú buan don lá sin.

The school remained uninhabited, but it was a lasting refuge for that day.