18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 377

Brandon wolfed down two bowls of spaghetti, the carbs filling him up enough to regain a semblance of dignity. Gone was the ravenous beast; in its place, a gentleman with poise. But the fire in his voice remained, "Sis, I caught a car thief."

Stella almost choked on her pasta, coughing violently. "Cough... cough cough..." she sputtered, barely managing to swallow.

Ungrateful punk, she thought. She'd even given him back half the meds, yet he was still hung up on the car. Nine years, and he still wouldn't let it go!

She was so close to smashing her bowl over his head. If not for the three souped-up Mustangs, she wouldn't have even considered giving back those meds.

But she forced a smile, masking her irritation. "Really? Who was it?"

"He got away," Brandon muttered between bites, "but if I get my hands on those jerks, I'll drink their blood and feast on their flesh. I'll chop off their heads and use them as soccer balls!"

Stella had enough, her tone turning icy. "Cars like that aren't unique, and who's to say it was yours?"

"I'd recognize that car even if it were ashes," Brandon shot back, burning with indignation. "Sure, there are more worldwide, but only one in the country!"

Stella wanted to slap him. "And how do you know it's the only one in the country?"

"My cousin handled the paperwork, it was the first one here."

Stella rolled her eyes. "Your cousin's a nutcase, taking meds daily. You believe everything he says?"

"He might be sick, but he wouldn't lie about

the paperwork wasn't processed yet. Predators are armored vehicles; the military might have them, and their records are

knife. "Oh, you're so capable. How come

dry. If not for old times' sake, she'd have twisted

Brandon's sorrow welled up, and he couldn't finish his spaghetti. "Yeah, I'm a waste of

off his

you got the car

heart bled. Indeed, he

"Complaining gets you nowhere. When you're strong enough, jets and cannons will

logic was sound, but Brandon knew his limits. He had

Jasper asked, "What's your plan

lost. He'd failed the military exams, and a regular job was out

he joined a team, thinking it was strong. But there's always a bigger fish. They'd risk their lives for scrap metal. He'd played dead during a team fight, or he'd have been skewered.

jets and yachts without blinking, and

The absurdity made him laugh, but soon tears

son, he wasn't immune to harsh realities. Without

lived for the Porras family,

he asked, "Stella, what should I

in her Arcadia. She couldn't let

brought up the car again, she'd chop

not cut out for scavenging, and manual labor isn't your thing. Let Jasper show you a few tricks to pass the military exams. Becoming a