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."

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

cab, so Bran had to settle for

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

of garbage, numb to the

drove up to

and cashing

time to clean, and after weighing, they earned 3000 credits minus the

of steel could sustain a family for a

about where the steel came from,

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

these ten packs could last for three

a real-life Robinson Crusoe situation, it was better to

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

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

the road, the family was eager to return home

left without a word,

took a deep breath inwardly, not sure what to

to their private compound, they crossed

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

usually covetous Stella to offer

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

scavenging again after a short break. Wouldn't

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

compound and exchanging goodbyes without much fuss,

the truck drive away, feeling his heart,

their dog enjoyed a

home-cooked food after

bellies full and dishes cleared 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.

family had left in a hurry, probably all in Goldbridge except

him to do hard labor for food

had turned to scavenging,

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