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

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

worst moment exposed to someone he knew was a nightmare come true. But what could he

kid sat atop a pile of garbage, numb

and drove up to the

trading, and cashing

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

of steel could sustain a family

meant no prying questions about where the

didn't plan to keep the credits. She went straight

these ten packs could last for three

case of a real-life Robinson Crusoe situation,

credits left, Stella spotted coal for sale but decided to save up and buy a

a submarine, Stella

the road, the family was eager

a word, probably a matter

breath inwardly, not sure what to

to their private

left some meds with me a while back. With

usually covetous Stella

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

by soon. We'll probably head out scavenging again after a short break. Wouldn't want you

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

and exchanging goodbyes without

away, feeling his heart,

the compound, the trio and their dog enjoyed

home-cooked food

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

in a hurry, probably all in Goldbridge except Bran. With all the disasters, looking after their golden boy wouldn't be

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

he had turned to scavenging, a

pitiful state,