The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 705

Nicole sat up and found a pair of eyes watching her.

She rubbed her eyes and looked again. It really was Zeph.

Their eyes met, and neither of them looked away.

"Nicole… Am I dreaming?" His voice was painfully hoarse.

Nicole smiled through her tears. "Zeph, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Zeph was still groggy, and it took him a while to fully wake up.

He reached for Nicole's hand. This time, when he took it, her hand was warm and real in his.

Nicole stroked his pale, hollow cheek. "Why did you do something so stupid? Why did you give the medicine to Cola?"

Zeph covered her hand with his and stayed quiet for a long moment. "Cola means everything to you. I wanted him to make it back to you. If I didn't, I wanted him to stay with you in my place."

If he hadn't been so sick, Nicole would've smacked some sense into him.

"Zeph, you need to take care of yourself, too. If you don't even value your own life, how are you supposed to protect the people you love?"

Zeph didn't argue. He just kept looking at her as if he couldn't bear to look away.

Nicole gently rested her head against his chest. "Promise me you won't ever do something that stupid again."

"Okay."

"And take care of yourself."

"I will. I'll do whatever you say."

They held each other gently, neither wanting to let go.

When Zeph realized she was crying, he stroked her hair.

"How did you find me?"

"Cola helped me." Nicole leaned against his shoulder. "He saw the fireworks I set off and somehow made it through all of that to find me."

Nicole gave Zeph a nutritional injection and helped him drink some soup.

Once he seemed a little stronger, she asked, "What happened to you and Cola?"

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