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."

now reduced to a destitute beggar by natural disasters.

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 bouncing him all the way back to

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

drove

and cashing in

and after

could sustain a family for a

no prying questions about where the steel came from, which eased Stella's

went straight

these ten packs

a real-life Robinson Crusoe situation,

to save up and buy a whole load at once,

a submarine, Stella

family was eager to return home and clean

word, probably a matter

took a deep breath inwardly, not sure

way back to their private compound,

she pulled over and stuck her head out, "Hey, Bran. You left some meds with me a while back. With things as chaotic as they are, I

expecting the usually

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

try to come by soon. We'll probably head out scavenging

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

him the address to the compound and exchanging goodbyes without much fuss, they

the truck drive away, feeling his heart, already battered

compound, the trio and their dog enjoyed a luxurious meal after their

beat the comfort of home-cooked food

Bran gave us a lot of meds as thanks. I think he added extra as a gesture of goodwill. Now

probably all in Goldbridge except Bran. With all the disasters, looking after their

skills and his prideful nature, asking him to do hard labor for

had turned to scavenging,

reduced to a pitiful state, it was a poignant reminder of the harshness of