The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 448

Chapter 448

“Sand and timber?” Zeph asked.

Nicole nodded. “Those are in the highest demand. The Westbridge River runs right past Oakhaven Gardens. As long as we’re willing to dig, sand won’t be a problem.”

As for timber, they could head into the mountains.

For most people, neither was truly difficult to obtain. The real issue was transport.

Nicole had her storage space. One trip into the mountains would be enough.

When they left the city hall, it was still early. She didn’t feel like going back just to sit around. “Want to take a look around?”

Everything out here carried risk, and they didn’t have connections in Westbridge.

Zeph suggested, “We could check on Gabrielle.”

Nicole nodded. “Alright.”

The Goodmans had made it through the deep freeze together. Whether they had survived the earthquake was

another matter.

It wasn’t far. They rode over on the scooter.

Ruins stretched in every direction, heavy and suffocating. It got worse when they reached the research institute housing.

The building Gabrielle had lived in was gone.

Nicole stood in front of the debris, unsure what to say.

A woman scavenging nearby glanced up. “Who are you looking for?”

Nicole hesitated. “Victor’s family.”

“Victor…” The woman thought for a moment, then pointed into the distance. “I think they’re over there.”

A few hundred yards away, tents and makeshift wooden shelters were packed together.

Only one building at the institute remained. Research had to continue, so the families had been pushed out.

Nicole asked, “Are they okay?”

The woman sighed. “My son works with Victor’s dad. I heard the old lady got hurt in the quake. She’s not doing so well.”

After thanking her, they headed toward the temporary settlement.

For safety, Nicole smeared dust over her face and clothes.

The air smelled of rot. Trash and waste lay everywhere. The survivors looked worn down, their shelters surrounded by whatever scraps they had managed to gather.

It took a few tries before they found the tent.

Lydia crouched outside, tending a small fire, boiling herbs. “The medicine’s almost ready.’

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A weak voice came from inside. “Don’t waste food trading for medicine. I’ve lived long enough.”

Lydia added more fuel to the fire. “Don’t say that. If Victor hears you, he’ll worry. You just need time to recover.”

When she saw Nicole, she froze in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“We were nearby,” Nicole said. “Thought we’d stop by.”

Lydia’s face lit up. She wiped her hands and ushered them in. “Come in.

The tent was cramped but clean, without any lingering smell.

Gabrielle lay on her side. “Nicole… Zeph…”

She looked worn down. Compared to the last time they had seen her, she had aged years, and the weight loss left her face gaunt and drawn.

Nicole sat beside her. “What happened?”

“Nothing serious. I hit my head during the quake.”

Gabrielle tried to sit up, but swayed right away.

Lydia helped her lie back down. “Victor built a reinforced metal box for earthquakes. We all got inside and wrapped up in thick clothes, but the quake was too strong.”

The ground had split apart, and the heat had been suffocating. Even without the collapse, it could have killed

them.

Gabrielle made it through the main quake, but not the aftershock. She had just stepped out when it hit again.

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