Timmy Williams was eight years old the night the snowstorm hit Detroit Minnesota in December of 1915. He lived in a small frame house on a quiet residential street several blocks up from the lake. Timmy did not really live in the house, he lived in one room of the house; his bedroom. For Timmy, his bedroom was his world, it was a place where his imagination could come to life, fueled by books about incredible adventures and magazine stories of American heroes.

Timmy’s mom had died when he was five and for the last three years the color and warmth had escaped from inside the home leaving only dim shades of grey and black in its place. His dad was either at work or at one of the Tavern’s in town and when he was home, it was as if his he had lost his ability to see Timmy. He was not a mean or violent man, he just did not have any life left in him.

Timmy had learned to take care of himself including getting up and making his way to school each day; he even made it on time most days. Peanut butter was a main stable of his diet and dressing and bathing was still a work in progress. He was currently struggling with his clothes, having out-grown everything except an old pair of Jeans and an oversized sweater that used to be his mothers.

Timmy felt it had been a fortunate coincidence when his teacher asked him to stay after class one day in the late fall. After the other kids had stampeded out of the classroom she pulled out a large bag from under her desk and handed it to Timmy. Inside Timmy found a new pair of boots and a winter jacket. He had no idea at the time that other adults worried about his welfare.

Timmy did not normally talk to anyone and did not have friends in school. He did have a rich fantasy life though and could slip into it whenever he felt uncomfortable with the real world around him. Tonight as he stood at his bedroom window watching the snow fall and the outside world being transformed, he knew there was an adventure waiting for him and his imagination was already conjuring up scenarios in which he would invariably be the hero who would save the town from certain disaster.