The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 761

Nicole didn't linger. She drove the truck away under cover of darkness.

At Mount Cedar, she put both truckloads of coal into her storage space. Then she used the ether-soaked cloth on the captives again, hoping to keep them unconscious until the next day's meeting.

Zeph tied and gagged them, then hid them among the rocks.

The four of them found a secluded spot, pitched their tent, and settled comfortably under the blankets. They woke a little after 7 a.m. and had a quick breakfast in the cool mountain air.

Shortly after ten, Poppy called from her lookout spot. "Nicole, they're here."

Two battered SUVs bounced up the rough road toward Mount Cedar.

Nicole, Zeph, and Poppy took their positions with their sniper rifles. Cola couldn't use a gun, so he paced in restless circles.

More than ten minutes later, the SUVs stopped at the foot of the mountain. The men from the night before climbed out with about eight others.

Nicole recognized two of them from the base. They were always looking for work and trying to get in good with anyone who had influence.

The Cyclone Crew was behind this, too.

"Jet, where's your boss?"

A heavyset man in nicer clothes than the others scanned the area, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "This better not be a setup."

"Craig, come on. You're the one who keeps us in business. Why would I cross you?"

Jet Black gave Craig Fletcher an ingratiating smile. "You thought those two killed your men, right? You told us to bring them in alive.

"Well, they put up a fight. We lost several guys catching them. The boss didn't want to take any chances, so he's watching them himself.

"They're in a cave. I'll take you up there.

"About the payment, though. We lost a lot of people on this job. Two hundred pounds of food won't cover it. Can you do a little better?"

Craig waved him off. "Let me see them first."

Once he killed Nicole and Zeph, he would take care of Jet's crew, too.

He could barely contain his excitement at the thought of all their points. With their cards and PINs, he'd be set for life.

And if he brought back their heads, he'd have enough clout to do whatever he wanted at the base.

The thought put him at ease.

He hadn't received a thing, and now everyone who came with him was dead.

He was ready to cry.

Nicole, Zeph, Poppy, and Cola left their hiding spots and walked over to Craig, who writhed in a pool of blood.

He glared at Nicole.

Nicole didn't care for the look in his eyes. She planted her foot on his chest.

"Keep that up, and you'll lose your eyes."

She leaned on him, forcing the air from his lungs. His ribs felt ready to snap. "Wh-what do you want?"

Nicole smiled coldly. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

Craig knew what happened to people who lost a fight like this. He had spent enough time at the base to see it for himself.

But knowing he could die and lying there waiting for it were two very different things.