The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 711

Nicole was in a great mood and pedaled even faster. "I'm taking you somewhere."

Poppy finally relaxed. Nicole had been gone for days, and she'd been scared something happened to her.

"Nicole, Vince didn't actually touch me."

Now that no one else was around, Poppy began to explain.

"Last night, I snuck up on him, threw a sack over his head, and beat him up. I just made sure not to hit his face. He pissed off so many people that he'll never figure out it was me."

If she hadn't been waiting for Nicole and Zeph to come back, she wouldn't have let him off that easily.

"Good job."

Nicole didn't expect Poppy to have such a ruthless streak, and the last of her worries faded.

"Poppy, you're old enough to make your own decisions now. Just remember, no matter what happens, your safety and your life come first."

Poppy lit up at the praise. She only wished Zeph was there, too.

Nicole kept pedaling for nearly an hour. By the time they finally arrived, Poppy felt like the rough ride had rattled every bone in her body.

Cola heard them coming and ran out to meet them.

The moment Poppy saw him, tears sprang to her eyes. She rushed over and wrapped her arms around him. "Cola, are you okay?"

She had been worried sick.

"Woof!"

Poppy grew even more anxious as she held on to the excited Cola. "Where's Zeph?"

Cola grabbed the leg of her pants in his teeth and tugged her toward the hiding place. After more than ten days apart, Poppy finally saw Zeph again and nearly threw herself into his arms.

"Zeph!"

Nicole quickly stopped her. "Careful. He's hurt."

Poppy burst into tears. She had lost count of how many times she thought Zeph might be dead, and she still couldn't believe Nicole actually found him.

She walked over carefully, worry written all over her face. "Where are you hurt?"

Zeph didn't want her to worry, so he smiled. "I'm fine. I'll be back on my feet in a few days."

He had been given every chance to stay alive, yet he still chose to come looking for trouble.

If he was that determined to get himself killed, Nicole didn't mind helping him.

There were eight of them altogether.

Nicole pulled two sniper rifles from her large backpack and handed one to Poppy. They attached suppressors, took aim, and each chose four targets.

Several hundred yards away, Vince took a long drag from his cigarette. His injured arm was wrapped in white bandages and held in a sling, and getting the bullet removed had only made his temper worse.

"Are you sure that tramp is in there?"

One of his lackeys quickly answered, "Don't worry. We've been watching the whole time. There's no way we got it wrong. She went in and never came back out."

Vince had never been humiliated like this before. Nicole nearly got him killed twice, and Kevin beat him bloody because of her.

He wanted her dead.

He spat out his cigarette and crushed it under his shoe.

"You can have the woman. Poppy's mine."