The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 559

• 15 Bonus

Chapter 559

Polar night would plunge the neighborhood into complete darkness. To improve security, the HOA proposed installing exterior lights at every house. The lights would make it easier for the guards to patrol and might discourage criminals from entering the area.

Nicole didn’t care what happened to strangers, but if one house was overrun, the rest could easily be next. She offered a suggestion.

“Installing the lights beside the front doors isn’t safe. If criminals get inside, they could smash them with a single rock. I suggest mounting them beneath the second-floor eaves and protecting them with metal cages.”

Her advice was ignored.

Jocelyn still resented Nicole for refusing to treat her son and nearly letting him die. She didn’t openly argue, but she acted as though Nicole hadn’t spoken.

Marcus, however, immediately supported the idea. “Nicole’s right. We should do it her way.

Jocelyn nearly choked with anger.

As soon as the homeowners’ meeting ended, Ethan hurried after Zeph and Nicole. “Mr. Dawson, Nicole!”

Nicole turned around. “What is it?”

Ethan lowered his voice. “Captain Landon said polar night is coming soon. He told us we should quit and go home to protect our own building.”

Nicole was surprised. The neighborhood paid its guards well in food, and the work was relatively easy. Countless people outside would have envied them, yet Alex was actually encouraging them to resign.

With no one else around, Ethan spoke openly.

“Captain Landon said this neighborhood is one of the safest places to be during polar day, but polar night will be a different story. Criminals may target it first. He told me to warn you to be careful.”

No wonder everyone from Oakhaven Gardens listened to Alex without question. He saw trouble coming long before most people did and understood exactly how desperate people could become.

Nicole asked, “Does he still live with the rest of you?”

“No. He moved into the municipal housing complex, but whenever something happens in our building, he still takes care of it right away.”

They hated giving up such good jobs, but no amount of food was worth risking their lives. Besides, after working there for more than a year, they all managed to save at least some supplies.

If every able-bodied adult was out earning food, who would be left to protect their families?

They needed to return home and organize a defense plan in case looting, robbery, and arson broke out during polar night.

If the estimate was accurate, polar night was still two or three months away.

Nicole asked, “When are you leaving?”

“We’re required to give two weeks’ notice, but Captain Ingram said we can’t leave until they find suitable replacements. I’m guessing it’ll take about a month.”

1/2

+15 Bonus

That made sense. Not just anyone could work security in a wealthy neighborhood. Applicants needed to know how to fight and pass a thorough background check. Hiring the wrong person could mean letting the threat in through the front gate.

After plenty of setbacks, Hughie and Jeremy finally became homeowners.

They each bought a small two-bedroom unit, and the homes were right next to each other.

They had been earning a decent amount of supplies, but buying the homes nearly wiped them out, Neither of them could afford renovations, and even the doors and windows were secondhand ones Nicole picked out from her storage space.

They showed some wear, but they were sturdy and built to last.

As housewarming gifts, Nicole and Zeph gave each family ten pounds of cracked corn, dried sweet potatoes, and several pounds of dried vegetables.

They held a housewarming dinner at Hughie’s place. Beatrice and Diana did the cooking, and everyone gathered for a simple meal.

“Nicole, Zeph, we don’t have anything fancy like you do, so don’t judge us.”

Nicole immediately reassured them. “Hardly anyone in Westbridge could afford to buy a home this quickly. Give it another year or two, and a villa might not be out of reach.”

Jeremy grinned. “Just wait! Someday, we’ll be living next door to you.”

After dinner, Zeph and Nicole stayed and talked for a while before heading home.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify