The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124

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“Don’t cry,” Zeph said to Poppy. “Your tears will freeze, and that’ll leave scars on your face.”

Nicole poured him a cup, then hurried over and knocked on Hughie’s door.

Inside, the three of them were in complete chaos, fumbling to pull on layers and wrapping themselves in blankets.

Even holding the hot ginger tea, their hands shook uncontrollably.

Jeremy had it the worst. His face had turned a frightening shade of purple.

They threw on fur coats, piled on quilts, and wrapped themselves up until they looked like bundled packages. None of them were used to this kind of cold. Their bodies trembled violently, their chests tight and uncomfortable.

Only after downing several cups of hot ginger tea did they finally start to come back to themselves.

“N-Nicole, you really jinxed it,” Jeremy muttered while curled up on the couch, his teeth chattering. “If you hadn’t picked up the 200 grand back then, we’d all be dead tonight.”

All those thick clothes and blankets had been bought just to burn through useless cash. Somehow, by sheer accident, they had turned into lifesavers.

Beatrice and Hughie clung to each other. She recovered a little faster, shivering as she moved to start a

fire.

Once Nicole saw they were stable, she finally left.

The door to Zeph’s apartment was still open. She stepped back inside. “How’s Poppy?”

Zeph was lighting a charcoal stove. “She’s warmed up after the ginger tea.”

Poppy was curled under the blankets, only her bright eyes visible. “I’m okay now. How’s Cola?”

“Woof!”

The dog, who had been completely ignored until now, finally seized his moment, trying to show off how strong he was. Unfortunately, he was bundled up so tightly that none of his muscles were visible.

Seeing Cola in a fur coat instantly lifted Poppy’s mood. She reached out and patted the dog’s face.

With the charcoal burning, the room gradually warmed.

Nicole stood to leave, then paused. “Don’t seal the doors and windows completely. Leave a gap for air.”

She had seen it in her past life. People froze so badly that they sealed everything shut and never woke up again.

Zeph lit two stoves, then handed one to her. “Be careful.”

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Chapter 124

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Nicole froze for a second. Then she realized she was still wearing his fur coat and quickly started to take it off.

“Keep it. I’m not as sensitive to the cold as you.”

Actually, aside from her hands, feet, and face, the rest of her body felt warm.

The temperature-regulating layer must’ve been doing its job. A steady, comfortable warmth spread through her.

She glanced at Cola. The dog seemed to have recovered, too.

Nicole insisted on handing the coat back. “Don’t get yourself sick. Poppy needs you.”

Zeph didn’t argue further, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer on the stove.

Nicole had no choice but to accept it.

Everyone on the 18th floor had made it through. She let out a long breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Only then did she notice the noise coming from downstairs. There was noise there, too, loud enough to carry.

She shut both doors and hurried back into her room, pulling out a thermometer. The reading made her heart drop.

Negative two degrees.

In a coastal city where winter temperatures usually stayed above 60 degrees, where the coldest it had ever gotten barely touched freezing, where most people wore a winter coat maybe a few times a year…

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