The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 553

Chapter 553

After lunch, Nicole brought down several bottles of skincare products, all unopened and still in their original packaging.

“We found these while scavenging a long time ago. Take them and see what you can get for them. If they don’t sell, don’t worry about it.”

Sven readily agreed. “They’ll sell. Guaranteed.”

He could sell just about anything if he put his mind to it.

Nicole also brought down two cartons of cigarettes. “A friend gave us these. They probably weren’t stored very well because they’ve lost some of their flavor.”

Hughie and the others had brought them over the day before. Zeph didn’t smoke, and Nicole had plenty of better brands in her storage space, so there was no point keeping these until they went completely stale.

Delighted by the unexpected haul, Sven asked, “What do you want in return?”

“Fresh beef or lamb, if you can find any.”

Sven hadn’t made a deal in several days and was already itching to get back to business. He left Brandon at Villa 50 and headed out.

With nothing else planned that afternoon, Nicole suggested taking the kids out for Christmas.

Zeph had no objections. Even in the middle of the apocalypse, they could still enjoy a little holiday cheer.

So they loaded all three kids into the car and drove into town.

Christmas or not, they still had to be careful and avoid the more dangerous parts of the city.

They went to the town square. The weather was clear for once, and quite a few people had come out to enjoy the day.

Security officers patrolled the area, and their presence was enough to keep troublemakers in check.

From a distance, they spotted two large Christmas wreaths hanging on the doors of city hall. Strings of lights and festive banners decorated the entrance.

The city had even organized a Christmas celebration, complete with a small holiday parade.

The costumes were worn, and the performers had clearly been assembled at the last minute. The parade was nowhere near as polished or elaborate as the ones held before the apocalypse, but no one could look away.

Applause erupted again and again. The numb, guarded expressions people usually wore gradually softened, and more than a few spectators smiled through their tears.

Poppy looked up curiously. “Zeph, what is this?”

“It’s a Christmas parade. People used to have them every year for the holiday.”

Back when their parents were still alive, Zeph had taken Poppy to one with the whole family. She had ridden on his shoulders, but she had been too young to remember it.

Brandon still had a vague memory of attending one. “Poppy, my dad took me to a parade when I was little.”

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Afterward, everyone began taking pictures.

Cola, who had been left in the car, whined nonstop. It wasn’t fair that he had to miss all the fun.

After taking several photos, Brandon pulled out his phone. “Poppy, can I get a picture with you?”

“Sure.”

They took a picture together, and Brandon inmediately slipped his phone back into his pocket.

Christmas music played throughout the plaza, and even the old familiar songs made the celebration feel real again.

The music stirred something people had almost forgotten. Before long, several of them were swaying, clapping and dancing along.

Nicole spotted someone familiar in the crowd and walked over to tap her lightly on the shoulder.

“Gabrielle.”

She never would have guessed Gabrielle was once the life of every neighborhood Christmas party. One look at her confident moves made it clear she had plenty of practice.

The other three Goodmans stood nearby, watching with bashful smiles.

“Nicole!”

Gabrielle didn’t expect to see her. She took Nicole’s hands excitedly.

“You’ve already done so much for us. We still owe you for the supplies, and then you gave us even more.”

Gabrielle felt a little helpless when she thought about Lydia and Victor. She had told them again and again not to accept anything more from Nicole, but they still came home with chicks, rabbits, and medicinal herbs.

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