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 destitute beggar by natural disasters. Fate

left in the cab, so Bran had to settle for sitting on a pile of

his worst moment exposed to someone he knew was a nightmare come true. But what could he do? He climbed aboard, the truck bouncing him all

sat atop a pile of garbage, numb to the jostling of the vehicle, his eyes void

drove

trading, and cashing

some time to clean, and after weighing,

of steel could sustain a family

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

straight to the

these ten packs could last for three

of a real-life Robinson Crusoe situation, it

the credits left, Stella spotted coal for sale but decided to save up and buy a whole load at once,

a

days on the road, the family was eager

word, probably a matter

took a deep breath inwardly, not sure

then, on the way back to their private

while back. With things as chaotic as they are, I can't

aback, not expecting the usually

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

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

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

and exchanging

feeling his heart, already battered by

the trio and their dog

comfort of home-cooked food after days on the

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, I'm thinking of returning the surplus.

hurry, probably all in Goldbridge except Bran.

lack of military skills and his prideful nature, asking him to do hard

of necessity, he had turned to scavenging,

and luxury, now reduced to a pitiful