The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 400

Chapter 400

Nicole’s shoulder throbbed so badly that she almost reached for it. That was when she saw blood streaming down Poppy’s forehead.

It had already run across her face.

“Poppy,” Nicole said, her voice tightening. “Where are you hurt?”

Poppy touched her forehead and pulled her hand back, her palm covered in blood. The impact had split the skin, and the pain was so sharp that she forgot to cry.

Zeph had told her not to cry. Crying didn’t help.

Zeph turned back and froze, his pupils widening.

Nicole ignored the pain in her shoulder, grabbed her pack, and pulled a medical kit from the storage space, pressing gauze to the wound.

Pressure, antiseptic, bandage.

Poppy swayed. “Zeph, I feel dizzy.”

Zeph pulled her into his arms. “Nicole, how bad is it?”

Without proper equipment, Nicole couldn’t be sure. If it was a concussion, rest might be enough. If there was internal bleeding or swelling, that was another matter.

Seeing the panic in his face, she kept her voice steady. “It could be a concussion. Let’s stop the bleeding first.”

At the start of the disaster, hospitals had run out of medicine quickly, but some doctors kept working, treating patients without prescriptions.

But there were simply too many patients.

Some were out of medication and waiting to die, and desperation pushed them and their families over the edge. They started believing the hospital was hoarding drugs for the wealthy, or they took a doctor’s attitude the wrong way. It set off a wave of violent incidents.

Doctors were just people. Many had died. Those who could left for the bases.

Hospitals had shut down completely.

Even if one were open, the machines wouldn’t run.

Nicole hoped it wasn’t the worst case. Zeph wouldn’t take it well.

“Poppy, how do you feel?”

Poppy sagged against him. “It really hurts. I feel sick.”

Nicole softened her tone. “You’re hurt, but you’re gonna be okay. Don’t be scared.”

Zeph studied Nicole’s face. “You’re hurt, too?”

She nodded. Pressing her swollen shoulder, she pulled two ice packs from her bag and wrapped them in a towel.

Zeph took one and held it against Poppy’s forehead. “Is it bad?”

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+15 Bus

She didn’t want him worrying more. “The hail hit me. It’s probably nothing serious.”

He was about to insist on checking when someone slammed against the door.

“Who’s in there? You have medicine, don’t you? I can smell it! Open up! Please, I’m hurt.”

Zeph braced himself against the door. “You’re mistaken. We don’t have any.”

“Then why won’t you help?”

The man pounded harder, his voice rising.

“I’m bleeding. If I don’t treat this, I’ll die!” He kicked the door, then shouted, “They’ve got medicine in there! They just won’t give it up!”

Nicole did have supplies, but there were too many injured. Even if she handed everything out, how many people could she save?

And after that, what would they do?

Poppy clutched her head. “Zeph, I’m scared.”

“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “I’ve got you.”

“I think I see Mom and Dad.”

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