[The face does help, frankly. It means he doesn't actually sigh when he glances back at the pile o' stuff, so, like, that's progress, kind of.]

There's a few iron bars a little ways in.

[The remnants of some clothing rack.]

Even a large rat can't withstand being hit by one of those. That said: one person might be overwhelmed. Two, less so.

If I can get those bars, can you wield one?