The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 431

Chapter 431

Alex let out a short, bitter laugh. He knew there was no point in saying no.

“All we can do is cooperate and try to push for better terms,” Zeph said.

Having been throught it himself, he pointed Alex in the right direction.

“We’ve got eight buildings in the complex.”

Buildings 1 through 3 were fully finished. Buildings 4 and 5 had their exteriors done. Buildings 6 through 8 were newly completed shells.

“If they just need shelter, we can put them in 6 through 8. We’ll build a wall in between as a buffer. If things go bad and they rush over, we’ll at least have some time to respond.”

If the government was stepping in, they would probably be resettling a large number of refugees. Food, water, sanitation, everything would become an issue.

Alex should insist that they assign personnel to manage the site and preferably station troops there to keep the

peace.

If the refugees caused trouble, the authorities would be the ones responsible for handling it. It all depended on how Alex negotiated.

Zeph added, “The city’s already collapsed. They’re going to rebuild somewhere safer. Once the new district is up, Oakhaven Gardens will get cut off. That’s when things could turn.”

Letting refugees in would cost the residents. Alex could use that to bargain for more points, better conditions, maybe even priority access to housing in the new district later.

Alex pressed his fingers to his temples. “Even with a wall, you staying in Building 5 is risky. If they break through, you’re the first in line. Why not move into my building?”

Nicole’s voice stayed level. “If the wall goes down, it’s only a few hundred feet from Building 5 to Building 1. It won’t matter.”

Alex paused, then nodded.

She was right. If the refugees really moved in, keeping the complex patrolled and secure would become a major challenge.

Still, the disasters didn’t give anyone a choice.

“Thanks,” he said, letting out a sigh. “I’ll think it through and try to get the best terms I can.”

By the time Zeph and Nicole went back upstairs, both were quiet.

They had thought Oakhaven Gardens might hold for a while. Instead, pressure was building from every direction.

Nicole exhaled softly. “Is there anywhere that’s actually safe?”

Zeph spared her the grimmer details. He was sure she had seen them firsthand, too. “The farther you get from the city, the worse it is.”

Beyond official control, it wasn’t just gangs. Plenty of people had changed, twisted by everything that had happened. Violence could break out without warning. There was nowhere you could really hide.

1/2

+15 Bonus

The memories came back on their own.

In Nicole’s last life, she had survived like a rat, always moving, never staying in one place. Even now, the fear still lingered, buried deep but never gone.

Zeph took her hand. It was cold.

“We’ll reinforce our place. One step at a time.”

There were enough people in Oakhaven. If they held together, it might be enough.

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