The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 896

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Chapter 896

e question stung, but Marcus answered honestly.

“Construction. Mostly hauling bricks.”

Nicole noticed the scars on his face and hands. Staying alive clearly took its toll on him. Being the son of e country’s richest man offered no protection from the disasters.

She didn’t ask what happened since they last parted ways. Even if he could laugh about it now, she doubted here was much to laugh about at the time.

“Let me know when you get a day off. Zeph and I will have you over for a decent meal.”

Marcus’s eyes lit up. “Barbecue?”

“Keep dreaming. Ten years into all this, and you’re still asking for barbecue?”

Still, she was glad to see him.

“Poppy works in the growing area now. I’ll see if I can find some seasonings. Maybe we can make something that’ll take care of that craving.”

He brightened immediately. “How are Zeph and Poppy?”

“They’re doing alright.” Nicole gave him their address. “Stop by when you have time.”

Marcus lived on Platform C, but that didn’t slow his response. “I’m off this weekend!”

They agreed to get together then and catch up properly.

After checking that his injured friend was going to be alright, Marcus returned to the construction site.

Nicole watched him go. He was painfully thin, but he stood tall. He also seemed much happier than when she last saw him picking through garbage.

He seemed to have something to live for again. 41

This time, he didn’t turn and run from a familiar face out of shame. He was already working construction after just two weeks at Yorwick.

The young man who once had everything handed to him seemed to have accepted his circumstances and started making a life for himself.

That evening, Nicole told Zeph about seeing Marcus.

Yorwick’s population now exceeded 20 thousand. The hospital, salt works, food processing plant, desalination system, and growing areas were all running smoothly.

Life was still hard, but things were much better than before.

More than 2,000 people from the southern military base reached Yorwick. Far fewer came from Westbridge. Among Nicole’s old acquaintances, only Weasel and his family, along with Marcus, turned up.

Food, clothes, and a roof overhead weren’t everything. People needed friends, too, and sharing a meal seemed like a good place to start.

“Why don’t we get everyone together on the submarine?” Zeph suggested. “We can invite Weasel and Stella.”

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Chapter 806

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Nicole liked the idea, and they arranged it for the weekend.

Stella already harvested two crops of potatoes. Some of her faster-growing herbs were ready to propagate from cuttings, giving her seedlings to sell. She could also dry the mature plants for trade.

After asking Nicole for advice several times, she learned a few massage techniques. Regular massages seemed to help Weasel and Lucas feel better.

Weasel couldn’t stop smiling. His wife fussed over him more every day.

It made him determined to work even harder and give her a better life. He would do just about anything to make that happen.

He knew how much they owed Nicole for the way things were turning around.

He accepted the invitation immediately and started thinking about something special he could bring to thank her.