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."

destitute beggar by

Bran had to settle

true. But what could he do? He climbed aboard, the truck bouncing him all the

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

drove up to the recycling

and

dirty steel took the workers some time to clean, and after

sustain a family for a few

casual attitude meant no prying questions about where the steel came

She went straight to the base's store and bought supplies-ten

these ten packs could last

a real-life Robinson Crusoe situation,

but decided to save up and buy a whole load at

for other supplies, aside from a

family was eager to

word, probably a matter

a deep breath inwardly,

then, on the way back to their private

out, "Hey, Bran. You left some meds with me a while back. With things as chaotic as they

aback, not expecting the usually

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

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

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

compound and exchanging goodbyes without much fuss, they

watched the truck drive away, feeling his heart,

trio and their dog enjoyed a luxurious meal

beat the comfort of home-cooked food

Jasper, "Remember when the Porras family's annex got hit by that satellite? Bran gave us a

left in a hurry, probably all in Goldbridge except

skills and his prideful nature, asking him to do hard labor for food was out of

he had turned to

reduced to a pitiful