The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

C

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After the chaos yesterday, the authorities adjusted quickly. They brought in the military to stabilize things.

Unlike the police, soldiers didn’t hesitate to fire. Their job was to keep order, no matter what it took.

Nicole remembered it from before.

The military had stepped in then, too, cracking down hard on people causing trouble. That was what finally brought things back under control

She lifted her binoculars and scanned the water outside.

Sure enough, she spotted soldiers in olive uniforms moving through the flooded streets in patrol boats, weapons ready. Gunshots echoed off and on through the morning.

By noon, the world felt…quieter.

The stoves they had pulled from the water wouldn’t light.

Hughie spent hours taking apart a portable camping stove, swapping out parts until he finally got it working again.

He looked proud, like he had found a way to contribute. He even offered to fix Nicole and Zeph’s camping stoves.

That night, Hughie and Beatrice invited Nicole for dinner, saying it was to thank her for helping them secure a place to stay.

They prepared two dishes with dry vegetables and potatoes.

The potatoes came from Nicole. Some had already started sprouting. They cut the sprouts off and rinsed them in hot water before cooking.

The meal was simple. But by the end of it, Beatrice and Hughie both looked like they might tear up. It had been 20 days, and this was the first time they’d had a proper hot meal and a comfortable hot shower.

They ate until they were full.

For the first time in a while, they felt human again.

“Nicole, if it weren’t for you, we’d probably still be crammed into a shelter,” Hughie said.

Beatrice lifted her glass of water like a toast. “It’s simple tonight, but when things go back to normal, I’m taking you to a five-star hotel. We’re going all out.”

Nicole smiled faintly. “Sounds good. If we get the chance.”

As they ate, Hughie brought up what he’d heard. “With the military out there, things are calmer now. Supposedly, the government is sending supplies to a department store. People can buy what they need, but in limited amounts. Should we go tomorrow?”

“Of course,” Nicole said. “And we have to go early.”

“Oh, and today, a lot of people started diving for supplies,” Hughie added.

“The biggest supermarket near us is packed. There are people everywhere. But it’s too deep, and most people don’t have the gear. I heard a few got swept away. Some strong swimmers managed to bring stuff up, but most of it was ruined. Still, no one’s throwing anything away.”

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Chapter 36

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Beatrice let out a sigh. “If Nicole hadn’t warned us, we’d be starving right now.”

The department store opened at 8 a.m. They set their alarms for 6 a.m.

After a quick cleanup, they headed out at 6:30 a.m.

Zeph stayed behind to watch the place.

It was barely light out, but plenty of people were already on the move.

It took them an hour to reach the store. They entered from the fourth floor.

Everything was damp. Crowds packed the place wall to wall.

The actual shopping area was on the sixth floor, but the line already stretched down to the fourth. Some people had lined up the night before, just for a chance to get in.

Soldiers stood guard, weapons visible.

After yesterday’s crackdown, no one dared cause trouble. The place was loud, but controlled.

The three of them hurried to join the line.

More people kept pouring in.

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