The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 349

Chapter 349

“Zeph Dawson.”

Alex motioned for Nicole and Zeph to sit and handed each of them a hand fan.

As they fanned themselves, Alex started asking questions, such as age, gender, current address, hometown, and family members.

Nicole frowned. “We’re just trying to rent a place. Is this a background check?”

“Sorry, I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” Alex said calmly.

“When the disasters hit, Phase One of Oakhaven Gardens had just been completed. A few of us owners had already moved in. The rest of the units were still empty.

“No one survives alone. A few of us came together, and over time, we took in others. Right now, there are over 100 people living here.

“The environment is harsh, and people can be unpredictable. We do rent units, but not to just anyone. Once you move into Oakhaven Gardens, you’re part of the community, so we’re careful about who we let in.

“Before all this, I worked as a counselor. I handle the interviews. I want the people who come here to be decent, the kind who can actually build a life here.”

A counselor. No wonder it felt like an interrogation. He was reading them through conversation.

It sounded simple, but it probably filtered out most problems before they ever got inside.

The interview continued.

Alex turned to Zeph first. “What did you do before all this, Mr. Dawson?”

“Special ops. I retired after an injury.”

That caught Alex’s attention. He asked several follow-up questions.

After more than ten minutes, it was Nicole’s turn.

“I grew up in an orphanage. No family. I was a med student.”

Alex studied her for a moment. “If you move in, aside from a kid, do you keep any pets?”

Pets? Nicole paused.

Alex smiled. “If I’m not mistaken, you have a dog. A Belgian Malinois.”

Even in the heat, Nicole felt a chill run down her spine.

How did he know that?

Then, she realized. Cola had brushed up against her when they left. Sure enough, there were a few strands of dog hair on her clothes.

So much for hiding anything in front of a counselor.

Seeing her reaction, Alex added, “Don’t worry. Pets are allowed here. I have a dog myself. A poodle.”

That only made Nicole more uncertain.

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Was this place some kind of safe haven?

She had a storage space to rely on, but for ordinary people, raising a dog in times like this wasn’t easy.

This place almost felt too good to be true. She wasn’t about to walk into a trap.

Sensing their hesitation, Alex explained, “Most of the people we take in have useful skills. Rent is adjusted based. on what you can contribute. We get by.”

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