The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 697

Nicole found the reception staff, but they were so overwhelmed they barely had time to breathe, much less keep track of specific survivors.

"The disaster hit too suddenly. A lot of people were injured in the sandstorm, and the heavy rain triggered mudslides all over the area. We've taken in about 600 people so far, but we haven't had time to register everyone individually. You'll have to look for them yourself or come back when things settle down."

Nicole couldn't afford to wait, so she started checking the tents one by one.

There weren't enough military tents, and every one of them was crammed with people. Forget finding a place to rest; in some, there was barely enough room to stand.

Everyone looked cold and wary, clutching their belongings close and watching the people around them with suspicion.

No one knew whether the person beside them could be trusted. Some careless survivors had already had their supplies stolen.

Losing your home was bad enough. Losing your supplies could mean losing your life.

Whenever Nicole lifted a tent flap to look inside, the people there immediately turned hostile. Others simply watched her in silence.

Her raincoat hid most of her, but anyone who had survived this long knew how to size someone up with a few quick glances.

Nicole had checked only about six tents before she realized someone was following her.

She pretended not to notice and kept searching.

Before long, a woman sidled up beside her.

"Miss, are you looking for someone? Who are you trying to find? I've been here for two days, so I know the place pretty well. Maybe I can help."

Nicole ignored her, but the woman kept following and talking. She wouldn't shut up.

Nicole finally pulled the sword from her hiking pack.

"Get lost."

Nicole had noticed the people trailing behind them long ago.

The woman's intentions were obvious. She was trying to lure Nicole somewhere secluded, where the others could rob her and finish her off.

The blade caught the light as Nicole drew it.

The woman started to speak, but one look at Nicole's expression made the words die in her throat. She didn't dare keep pestering her after that, afraid Nicole really would use the sword.

Nicole wasn't the only one searching for someone. Plenty of survivors who had been separated from family and friends had come to the camp after hearing about it, hoping to find someone they had lost contact with.

The woman steadied her. "I am, too. Try behind the staff area. There are a few more tents back there for people who were pulled from mudslides unconscious or badly injured."

Nicole forced herself to focus, thanked her, and hurried away.

She slipped a piece of candy into her mouth for a quick boost and waited for the dizziness to ease.

Sure enough, several more tents stood behind the operations area.

Nicole explained why she was there, and a staff member led her over.

"Go in quietly. Don't wake anyone. Some of them are severely dehydrated, and some are barely hanging on. They all need rest."

Anyone who wasn't in immediate danger had already been moved to the main camp.

Nicole's heart pounded as she searched the tents one by one.

These people had already survived the sandstorm, only to be buried by mudslides afterward.

Their bodies were weak, many had been deprived of oxygen, and even after being pulled out, there wasn't enough medicine or equipment to give them proper treatment.