The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 125

Chapter 125

Nicole wasn’t the only one with an electric blanket. Cola got one, too.

She picked a smaller one, spread it over the beanbag chair, and hooked it up to the battery pack. At the same time, she turned on both space heaters.

The temperature in the room climbed fast.

Ash and Snowy felt the warmth almost immediately. They scrambled out of the foam box and hopped onto the beanbag, trying to squeeze in next to Cola.

For once, the dog didn’t fight them off. He let them shove in close, bodies pressed together, sharing heat.

Nicole checked the foam box again. Two of the adult rabbits had already died.

They were probably scared to death.

The others didn’t look much better, sluggish and weak. Strangely enough, the newborn kits were fine, too young to even understand what was happening.

Ash and Snowy had clearly been toughened up by Cola. Their nerves were stronger now, and with their thick fur and the extra layers Nicole had put on them, they hadn’t panicked.

They just weren’t taking care of their babies.

Nicole pulled the tiny ones out and tucked them against Cola’s belly, then shot the two rabbits a look. You had them. You take care of them.”

Cola bared his teeth, as if he was saying, “You heard her. Do your job. Dumping them on me? What’s that

about?”

Grumbling or not, the dog didn’t shake them off. He stayed there, letting the dozen or so little ones huddle against him, doing the job anyway.

As for the remaining adult rabbits, Nicole carried them to the bathroom, took out a stun baton, and ended it quickly. Then she stored them away for later.

She would deal with cooking them when she had time.

Keeping them alive was one problem. The smell was another.

Back in her room, Nicole stared at the glowing charcoal stove for a long moment, lost in thought.

What was Zeph thinking, exactly?

He had nearly broken her door down, shoved his fur coat onto her, and even given her a stove.

The guy was always cold and unreadable. He didn’t even blink in life-or-death situations. But earlier, when he was pounding on her door, there had been real urgency on his face.

1/3

+15 Bonus

Could it be…. Was he worried she would freeze to death, and no one would teach Poppy anymore? ?

At this hour, with sleep fogging her mind, Nicole didn’t feel like overthinking it. Whatever it was, she would deal with it tomorrow. Right now, sleep mattered more than anything.

Nicole shrugged off her outer layers, slipped into the warm bed, and drifted off almost instantly.

Last time, she had nearly frozen to death, piling every piece of clothing she owned onto herself. This time, the blankets felt like spring.

That alone was enough.

The cold made people drowsy. By 10 a.m., she still didn’t want to get up.

The walkie-talkie crackled. “Nicole, you awake?”

She reached over and grabbed it. “Yeah, I just woke up.”

Her voice was soft, still heavy with sleep.

“Got a cold?” Zeph asked.

“No. I’m still in bed,” she said, yawning. “How are you and Poppy?”

“I’m up. I’m making breakfast for her. You want some?”

Nicole refused immediately. “I’m good. I’m not hungry. I’ll just eat lunch later.”

Cola jumped onto the bed and started pawing at the walkie. “Woof!”

“Hey…”

The device got shoved aside.

“What happened?”

“It’s nothing. Cola’s messing around,” Nicole said quickly, picking it back up. “I’m gonna go. Talk later.”

“Alright. Stay warm.”

She switched it off and turned to glare at the dog, ready to smack him.

Before she could, Cola launched into chaos mode and started spinning, jumping, and bouncing across the bed. He dove straight into her arms.

“You little menace.” Nicole grabbed his snout lightly. “Why are you like this?”

Cola burrowed into the blankets, his bright eyes fixed on her, head tilted in that ridiculous, shamelessly cute way.

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