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."

wealthy family, now reduced to a destitute beggar by natural disasters. Fate had a

cab, so Bran had to settle for sitting

to someone he knew was a nightmare come true. But what could he do? He climbed aboard, the truck

fallen rich kid sat atop a pile of garbage, numb to the jostling of the vehicle, his

drove up to the

trading, and cashing

clean, and after weighing, they earned 3000 credits minus

could sustain a family for a few

no prying questions about where the

She went straight

pods, these ten packs

Crusoe situation,

credits left, Stella spotted coal for sale but decided to save up and buy a

aside from a

on the road, the family was eager to return home and clean

left without a word, probably

breath inwardly, not sure what to

the way back to their private compound, they crossed

Bran. You left some meds with me a while back. With things as chaotic

the usually

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

head out scavenging again after a short break. Wouldn't want you

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

him the address to the compound and exchanging goodbyes

away, feeling his heart, already battered

dog enjoyed a luxurious meal after their refreshing

of home-cooked

by that satellite? Bran gave us a lot of meds as thanks. I think he added extra

all in Goldbridge except Bran. With all the disasters, looking after their golden boy wouldn't be

and his prideful nature, asking him to do hard labor for food was out of

necessity, he had turned to scavenging, a

beauty and luxury, now reduced to a pitiful state, it was