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."

wealthy family, now reduced to a destitute

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

someone he knew was a nightmare come true. But what could he do? He climbed aboard, the truck

kid sat atop a pile of garbage, numb to the jostling of the vehicle,

drove

trading, and cashing in

the workers some time to clean, and after weighing, they earned 3000 credits minus the 50-credit

steel could sustain a family for a few

no prying questions about where

the credits. She went straight to the base's store and

pods, these ten packs could last

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

save up and buy

a submarine, Stella had

road, the family was eager to return home and clean

word,

a deep breath inwardly, not sure

on the way back to their private compound, they crossed paths

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

usually covetous Stella to offer the meds

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

by soon. We'll probably head out scavenging again after a short break.

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

him the address to the compound and exchanging goodbyes without much fuss,

his

and their dog enjoyed a luxurious meal

home-cooked food

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, I'm thinking of returning the surplus.

had left in a hurry, probably all in Goldbridge except Bran. With all the disasters, looking after their golden boy

nature, asking him to do hard labor for

to scavenging,

beauty and luxury, now reduced to a pitiful