The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 216

Chapter 216

The moment Cola saw Nicole, he dropped everything and charged over, all excitement, his tail going wild.

Nicole didn’t head home right away. Instead, she knocked on Zeph’s door.

When he opened it, she pulled out a bag of frozen potatoes and handed it to him. “These are for you.”

He was too sharp to fool, so there was no point trying to hide anything. From the way Nicole handled it, she figured he would know where it came from.

Zeph took the potatoes, then stepped aside. “Come in. Do you want grain in return, or something else?”

“No need. You and Poppy have been feeding Cola. This is just a small thank-you.”

That dog was stubborn. Without treats, there was no way to train him. And once he got comfortable, he even started asking for food on his own.

They had never said anything about it, but Nicole had noticed. She wasn’t about to pretend she hadn’t, especially since she had never secretly given Poppy anything in return.

She also mentioned the supplies she had set aside for Christmas.

Personal stock was one thing, but the holiday supplies were meant to be shared. Zeph still insisted on

contributing.

“We picked up gold chains, watches, and cigarettes the last few times we clashed with the people collecting protection rations. We can trade those. Just let Jeremy and the others know later.”

Seeing how clearly she had already thought it through, Zeph didn’t push it further.

Nicole, who had been acting composed, suddenly felt a little awkward. She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Do you need firewood?”

“No.”

That made sense. His place was clean and orderly, nothing like Hughie’s group, whose place was always darkened by smoke. He clearly wasn’t short on fuel.

Nicole didn’t press. She turned to leave.

“Are you coming by later?” Zeph asked.

For training, he meant.

She paused. “Would that be a bother?”

She knew her own personality well. Years of growing up alone, followed by three years in the apocalypse, had shaped her into someone guarded and self-centered, even cold at times. She didn’t particularly like that about herself, and she knew others probably wouldn’t either.

+15 Bonus

Even with her storage space, she had never told Jeremy and the others. Wouldn’t Zeph see that as

selfish?

Still, she had seen what people were capable of. Even now, with things calmer on the surface, that fear didn’t just disappear.

She wasn’t planning to change.

If anything, she wanted Zeph to understand that there was no need to force himself to accommodate her. Better that than letting resentment build later.

“I’d be training anyway,” Zeph said. “Sparring just makes it more effective. Helps with reflexes and adaptability.”

With Hughie’s group gone, Nicole dropped the pretense. “I don’t have much food, and I won’t be sharing my vegetables.”

In other words, she was telling him not to expect anything from her.

Zeph laughed. “You think I’m after your supplies?”

“I know you’re not. I just don’t trust easily.”

“Relax. I’m not taking anything from you.” He smiled faintly. “Besides, I’ve got things stored with you. If I really wanted your food, you could just keep my stuff.”

That was true. She had his rifle, handgun, and 500 rounds of ammunition.

If she really wanted to, she could keep it all.

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