Rewrite the Apocalypse dream (by Dee Cari) novel Chapter 165

Chapter 165 Are You And Julian Together?

Finished

Jonna reached into the empty air once more, pulling out a sleek water flask filled with her rejuvenating spring water. She held it out to him, her eyes locking onto his. “I don’t know if you will ever get a super power, Briggs, but I can tell you the chance of awakening is higher if you drink this.”

She deliberately kept the details vague, withholding the science and the origin of the water. This was a calculated test-she wanted to see if he truly trusted her now that their bond had settled.

Sure enough, Briggs wasn’t phased. Without a single trace of hesitation or suspicion, he took the flask and drank deeply.

A second later, his eyes widened. He gripped the metal flask tighter, a sudden shockwave of vitality rushing through his veins. The lingering fatigue from their frantic raid vanished instantly, replaced by a surge of raw energy. Bruises and pain left from the zombies fading away slowly. He drank again, sighing in relief.

“Whoa,” Briggs muttered, his voice dropping as he stared at the flask, then up at her. “I feel… strange. Like have energy and aches soothed in my body.”

Joanna smiled, a warm spark of satisfaction lighting up her eyes as she watched the color return to his face. “Now that you are part of the team, keep drinking this and we can see if you awaken anything. It comes directly from my space.”

Briggs, still smiling at the flask in his hands, decided to keep quiet. He didn’t need to ask how the water worked; the incredible surge of strength blooming in his chest was proof enough. He took another long sip, letting the crisp, revitalizing energy settle deep into his muscles.

They relaxed back against the plush cushions of the sofa, the silent November wind blowing harmlessly over the high back of their shelter. The tension of the midnight raid had entirely melted away, replaced by the easy comfort of two partners waiting for a storm to hit.

After a long moment of quiet, Briggs turned his head to look at her, his expression turning curious. “I have a question for you.”

Joanna nodded casually, taking another bite of her burrito. “Go ahead.”

“Are you and Julian together?”

Joanna choked on her bite of burrito, letting out a sharp, exasperated laugh that cut through the crisp morning air. She rolled her eyes so hard she looked up at the bruised November sky.

“Together? With Julian?” she scoffed, throwing her hands up in disbelief. “Briggs, look around us. The world literally ended. We are dodging flesh-eating zombies, raiding empty malls, and trying to build a fortress so your men don’t freeze to death in a couple of weeks.”

She turned to face him fully, gesturing toward the canvas duffel bag of jewels between them. “I am currently running a high-stakes survival campaign, managing a pocket dimension, and trying to secure enough logistics to outsmart a warlord. Do you honestly think I have the time or the energy for dating right now?”

Briggs chuckled softly, the rugged lines of his face relaxing as his smirk widened. He looked down at the flask in his hand, then turned a long, steady gaze back to her, his eyes glinting with a mix of genuine amusement and sharp, unmistakable interest.

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Chapter 165 Are You And Julian Together?

Finished

“Just asking,” Briggs murmured, his voice dropping into a low, playful rumble. “In the old world, people always found time for distractions. But it’s good to know your head is exactly where it needs to be.”

He leaned back against the cushions, his shoulder brushing against hers as he kept his eyes locked onto her face a beat longer than necessary. “Though, if you ever do decide you have the time, let me know, I’d hate for you to settle for Julian.”

Joanna blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected charm, before a soft flush touched her cheeks and she looked away with a small stnirk of her own.

The heavy rumble of diesel engines vibrated through the roof as Will’s convoy rounded the corner, slowing to a halt outside the mall gates.

The noise acted like a dinner bell. Inside the dark mall, a large group of survivors stepped near the fron doors, hovering anxiously in the gloom.

“They’re taking the bait,” Briggs whispered, shifting back into a rigid tactical posture.

A few of Will’s soldiers moved with practiced efficiency, using suppressed weapons to quietly put down the wandering zombies near the fence. Seeing the path cleared, the tension broke. Ten people cautiously stepped outside into the pale November sunlight, led by the people Elliot had embedded to rile them up.

Joanna leaned forward, her fingers gripping the edge of the roof. Her eyes went wide, tracking a familiar silhouette at the very back of the crowd.

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