18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 378

The dust from the desert storm had clogged the engine, leaving the SUV stranded miles from civilization. Bran had trudged the remaining distance, his boots kicking up the parched earth with every weary step.

The old man had given him a pistol and some first-aid supplies, but he'd been ambushed by a gang along the way. Bran had fought tooth and nail to keep them at bay, but over the months, even the half of the supplies he'd managed to protect had dwindled to nothing. Now, he was more destitute than a beggar, his stomach growling like an angry dog for want of a decent meal.

So, Bran swallowed his pride. "Sis, just put it on my tab, okay? I'll pay you back, with interest."

He wondered if the old man had settled down in Goldbridge or had met with disaster amidst volcanic eruptions or another dust storm. It had been too long without a word.

But worry was a luxury he couldn't afford not when his own survival was at stake, and he was nowhere near Goldbridge or Griffith.

Stella didn't want to make a fuss. "Sure, just remember the interest," she said, with a half-hearted attempt at sternness.

They had to keep scavenging, and time spent on Bran was time wasted. They gave him a crash course-a last-minute cramming session, as they called it.

Turns out, there were tricks to passing the military fitness tests.

Most civilians were clueless, but Jasper had once been in the service. He knew exactly what the Kindle Society would be testing for.

After a hearty meal, Bran received emergency training in both intellect and combat.

Stella didn't intervene; instead, she took Rosie and Cooper upstairs.

Hours later, they finally sent Bran on his way, his arms laden with provisions.

back at the posh neighborhood

of reminding you how fickle

her attention to Cooper, who had been moping since Bran's

whined softly, curling up on the floor. Stella knew he missed Buddy. Whether

it would only make Cooper sadder-and murmured that time would

and Stella handed him a glass of

in no time, and his adaptability is impressive. His combat skills need polish, but I've taught him how to break down and respond to likely moves. He's sharp. With enough practice, he'll pass

he was playing up his misery

in a bad spot, but he's definitely

Asking for help outright would be like asking him

obsession with his supercharged off-roader, Stella felt a pang of frustration. Earnings

you said, if it's not meant to be his, it won't stay with him. You've done right by him and the Porras family.

the tectonic plates eventually

made Stella anxious. Disaster wouldn't wait for a convenient moment. They needed a submarine,

this latest deal, Stella had discovered a network of black-market traders within

their points to buy necessities for outsiders,

the wastelands, and over time, more and more had joined the trade.

changing hands among traders, tracking origins would

suspicions, any investigation would take time. With the imminent threat of cataclysm, the military needed those metals for

with her plan-to secure the submarine

to waste any more time, they set off early the