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."

to a destitute beggar by

was no room left in the cab, so Bran had to settle for sitting

what could he do?

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

the base and drove up to the

and

the workers some time to clean, and

of steel could sustain a family for a few

attitude meant no prying questions about

She went straight

ten packs

a real-life Robinson Crusoe situation,

save up and buy a whole load at once,

other supplies, aside from a submarine, Stella had

days on the road, the family was eager

word,

breath inwardly, not

back to their private compound, they crossed

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 anymore. When

usually covetous Stella to offer the

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

head out scavenging

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

and

truck drive away, feeling his heart, already battered by the disasters, bleed

dog enjoyed a luxurious meal after their

beat the comfort of home-cooked

Rosie, Stella sipped on juice while discussing with Jasper, "Remember when the Porras family's annex got hit by that satellite? Bran gave us a lot

left in a hurry, probably all in Goldbridge except Bran. With all the disasters, looking after

his prideful nature, asking him to

to scavenging, a dangerous and unglamorous

a pitiful state, it was a poignant