18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 376

Stella spotted him too-no doubt about it, he was a beggar. Dressed in tattered rags, barefoot, and wandering aimlessly. "Another soul driven mad by the apocalypse," she sighed to herself.

Just as she was reflecting, the sound of a car caught the beggar's attention. Surprisingly, he turned and waved frantically to flag it down. "Robbery tactics are getting more and more creative," she thought. "This guy could very well be a decoy for an ambush."

Stella cocked her gun, ready to take him down if he showed any sign of threat.

"Hey, stop the car, stop the car!" the beggar shouted.

Stella scanned the area but saw no sign of an ambush.

Jasper didn't hit the brakes and just drove past.

"Damn it, stop!" the beggar yelled, flipping them the bird.

Stella squinted, recognizing the figure in the rearview mirror.

"Stop the car," she commanded.

Seeing the truck pull over, the beggar's mood swung from irritation to hope. He limped over and asked, "Buddy, could you give me a lift?"

He hurried over but froze in shock when he got a better look.

It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over him in the dead of winter.

Without a word, he covered his face and turned to leave.

"Bran," Stella called out.

It was as if his heart had been pierced; his entire body stiffened.

His dignity, once guarded, now trampled into the mud.

But Stella didn't mock him or ask how he'd come to this. "Get in. We're still a good ten miles from the base. If you walk, your feet will be shredded."

destitute beggar by natural

the cab, so Bran had to settle for sitting on a

his worst moment exposed to someone he knew was a nightmare come true. But what could he do? He climbed aboard, the truck bouncing him all the way back to

fallen rich kid sat atop a pile of garbage, numb

the base and drove up to the recycling

trading, and cashing in

and after weighing, they earned 3000 credits minus the 50-credit

steel could sustain a family for a few

about where the

the credits. She went straight to

pods, these ten packs could last

case of a real-life Robinson Crusoe situation, it was better

credits left, Stella spotted coal for sale but decided to save up and buy a whole load at once, for the

other supplies, aside from a submarine, Stella had almost

on the road, the family was

left without a word,

deep breath inwardly, not

way back to

and stuck her head out, "Hey, Bran. You left some meds with me a while back. With things as chaotic as they are, I can't keep them safe

aback, not expecting the usually covetous

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

We'll probably head out scavenging again after a short break. Wouldn't want you to make a wasted

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

and exchanging goodbyes without much

away, feeling his heart, already battered by

dog enjoyed a

beat the comfort of home-cooked food

gave us a lot of meds as thanks.

a hurry, probably all in Goldbridge except Bran. With all the

him to do hard labor

turned to

pitiful state, it was a