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?"

Brandon was steadfast. "He might be

Stella's growing frustration, Jasper chimed in. "Maybe it was smuggled in, or the paperwork wasn't processed yet. Predators are armored vehicles; the military might have them, and their records are top secret, beyond your cousin's reach." Brandon paused, considering the logic but still felt the

twisted the knife. "Oh, you're so capable. How come you're in such a

enough. Stella's guilt and conscience had run dry. If not for old

couldn't finish his spaghetti. "Yeah, I'm a waste of space

just a second-generation rich kid, living off his

got the car back, could you really keep

bled. Indeed, he

on. "Complaining gets you nowhere. When you're strong enough, jets

He had arrived full of confidence, only to

Brandon's silence, Jasper asked, "What's your plan

and a regular job was out of the question. Scavenging seemed the only

unrealistic, so 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

to buy jets and yachts without blinking, and

absurdity made him laugh, but soon

harsh realities. Without his father's protection, he'd fallen

lived for the Porras family,

"Stella,

was in her Arcadia.

swore this was the last time. If he ever brought

a deep breath, she calmed down. "You're 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