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."

to a destitute beggar by natural disasters. Fate had a cruel sense

had to settle

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

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

entered the base and drove up to the recycling

and

workers some time to clean, and after weighing, they earned 3000

truckload of steel could sustain a family for a few

about

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

these ten packs could

Robinson Crusoe situation, it was better to

coal for sale but decided to save up and buy a whole load

a

on the road, the family was eager to return home and

without a word, probably a matter

breath inwardly, not sure what to

on the way back to their private compound, they

thought, she pulled over and stuck her head out, "Hey, Bran. You left some meds with me a while back.

expecting the usually covetous Stella to offer the meds

"Uh, later," he mumbled.

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

Bran merely nodded, "Mhm."

the address to the compound and exchanging goodbyes without much

watched the truck drive away, feeling his heart, already battered

compound, the trio and their dog enjoyed

comfort of home-cooked

that satellite? Bran gave us a lot of meds as thanks. I think he added extra as a gesture of

in Goldbridge except Bran.

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

necessity, he had turned to scavenging, a dangerous

reduced to a pitiful state, it was a poignant reminder of the harshness