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."

son of a wealthy family, now reduced to a destitute beggar by natural disasters. Fate had a cruel sense

cab, so Bran had to settle for

exposed to someone he knew was a nightmare come true. But what could he do? He

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

base and drove up to the recycling

and cashing

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

sustain

attitude meant no prying questions about where

the credits. She went straight to the base's store and bought supplies-ten oxygen

these ten packs could last for

Crusoe situation, it was better to be

decided to save up and buy a whole load

aside from a submarine, Stella had almost everything

family was eager to return home and clean

a word, probably a matter

a deep breath inwardly, not sure what

the way back to their private compound,

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

was taken aback, not expecting the usually

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

"Alright, but try to come by soon. 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 fuss, they parted

drive away, feeling his heart, already battered

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

beat the comfort of home-cooked food after

Bran gave us a lot of meds as thanks.

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

of military skills and his prideful nature, asking him to

to scavenging, a dangerous and unglamorous

beauty and luxury, now reduced to a pitiful state, it was a poignant reminder of the