The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 426

Chapter 426

Nicole had no intention of imposing her views on Zeph. If they loved each other, they stayed. If they didn’t, they parted ways.

But as long as they were together, she never wanted him to feel tied down by her.

His choices were different this time, but who he was at the core hadn’t changed. Even without the uniform, that part of him was still there; just steadier now, with clearer lines he wouldn’t cross.

Zeph pulled her into his arms. “I want to go. But no matter what, you and Poppy come first.”

“Woof!”

“You too, Cola,” he added.

Nicole didn’t push him, and she treated Cola the same way. “Cola, do you want to go with Zeph?”

Cola sat in front of them for a moment, then placed a paw on Zeph’s knee.

That settled it.

When Alex heard Zeph and Cola were in, he looked relieved.

“Get some rest while you can. We can pull together about 20 people. We’ll head out at dusk. Bring protective gear. It’s hot, you’ll sweat a lot, so add some salt to your water.”

Nicole wasn’t going, but she still got things ready.

She mixed a little salt into cooled boiled water and steamed a batch of cold-resistant potatoes and sweet potatoes so they would have something to eat during breaks.

Cola, used to meat every day, stared at the food like he couldn’t believe it. When had his meals gotten worse?

Nicole tugged his ear. “What, you planning to eat meat in front of everyone? Getting bold now, huh?”

As for Zeph, he knew the field better than she did. There wasn’t much to say. “Keep an eye on Cola. Don’t let him push himself.”

A bulletproof vest would’ve been too heavy, so she put a cut-resistant vest on Cola instead to prevent injuries.

Then, she handed Zeph two pairs of gloves and a small set of first-aid supplies.

By evening, the Oakhaven Gardens rescue team had gathered.

Nicole didn’t go down. She went up to the 12th floor and watched through binoculars as Zeph and Cola reached the front gate.

People had gathered, watching Cola like it was some kind of show.

They were tempted, sure, but a dog raised in a place like this wasn’t something people casually messed with.

Alex showed up with Molly.

Cola might act carefree at home, but out here, he was all focus, steady and controlled, like a trained working dog.

Molly, on the other hand, had no sense of distance, circling Cola and sniffing him from every angle.

In the end, Cola pinned her to the ground with one paw and kept her there until she settled.

1/2

+15 Benus

The team moved out, starting with nearby developments and villages.

Even with advance warning, not every place had someone in charge. Some people didn’t have radios. Others heard and ran, never thinking to warn anyone else.

So even with everything the city had done, plenty were still trapped.

Back in the apartment, Nicole opened a medical book, but her eyes wouldn’t stay on the page.

It was just her and Poppy. Dinner was simple, plain noodle soup.

After a while, Poppy asked, “When are Zeph and Cola coming back?”

“I’m not sure. Probably around dawn.”

Poppy stuck to her routine, washing up, finishing her homework, then going through her exercises.

Nicole lay still, but her mind didn’t stop. She worked through the black soil garden in her head.

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