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."

a wealthy family, now reduced to a destitute beggar

no room left in the cab, so Bran had to settle for sitting on a pile of muddy

true. But what could he do?

a pile of garbage,

entered the base and drove up to

trading, and

and after weighing, they earned 3000 credits minus

steel could sustain

casual attitude meant no prying questions about where the steel

She went straight to the base's

pods, these ten

Robinson Crusoe situation,

up and buy a whole load at once, for

for other supplies, aside from a submarine, Stella had almost everything

road, the family was

a word, probably

took a deep breath inwardly, not

the way back to their private compound, they crossed paths

left some meds with me a while back. With things as chaotic as they are, I can't keep them safe anymore.

the usually covetous Stella to offer the meds

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

"Alright, but try to come by soon. We'll probably head out scavenging again after a short break. Wouldn't

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

the compound and exchanging goodbyes without

drive away, feeling his heart, already battered by

the trio and their dog enjoyed a luxurious meal

comfort of home-cooked food after days on the

by 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 of meds as thanks. I think he added extra as a gesture of goodwill. Now that he's hit rock bottom,

Porras family had left in a hurry, probably all in Goldbridge except Bran. With all the disasters, looking

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

had turned to scavenging,

now reduced to a pitiful state, it was a