The Endgame Chronicles novel Chapter 6

Aside from that, Hayley's latest batch of seeds had arrived.

She had ordered all the usual crop seeds and saplings. Almost all vegetables could be grown directly from seeds, while things like sweet potatoes needed starter plants. The seeds were super cheap, especially the sweet potato starters.

Hayley had ordered a big pile from the largest seed shop. When she asked the shop owner for some freebies, he ended up tossing in a few extra starter plants for zero charge.

For fruit trees, it was best to buy already-grown saplings that were a bit older. Growing fruit trees from scratch was slow and labor-intensive. Buying a ten-year-old tree was cheap and practical. A top-quality ten-year-old apple sapling cost only about 16 dollars.

Hayley bought a large batch of ten-year-old saplings all at once—apple, blueberry, crab apple, pear, raspberry, cherry, lemon, plum, Euriplan plum, walnut, chestnut, hazelnut, peach, cranberry, persimmon—three of each.

This way, she could guarantee the trees survived and produced fruit year-round. She spent just over 1,200 dollars for more than 100 trees, covering only about half an acre—just the empty space to the right of her fallout shelter.

On the left side, she set up a top-notch plastic greenhouse and racks for vegetables. She planted seeds for greens, cucumbers, eggplants, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, scallions, kale, beans, and many more.

Most vegetables were easy to grow from starters, but Hayley preferred to start from seeds so she could keep planting year after year. Potatoes were simple—just plant the tubers.

Luckily, her land was top-quality. Seeds planted here would thrive without much extra effort.

In just ten days, Hayley's fallout shelter looked completely transformed, inside and out.

Now, it was only three days before the apocalypse.

After planting the last tree, Hayley thought about what else she needed.

For a self-sufficient, hidden life, she needed some chickens, ducks, and fish. Even with all the meal packs she had, nothing beat fresh food.

If she could rear some chickens and fish, she'd be able to have meat anytime she wanted.

She drove straight to the farmers' market, leaving Summer at the warehouse in case there were any more deliveries.

Entering the city again after several days, she immediately noticed the tense atmosphere. Everyone wore masks, their faces anxious.

At a live chicken and duck stall, Hayley scanned the dozen or so birds—both male and female, all healthy-looking.

"Hurry up if you wanna get something. I wanna pack up early and go home," the vendor said impatiently.

"Give me a discount and sell me all of them," she said.

The vendor's eyes lit up. "All of them?"

"Yes."

"I'll do 2 bucks per pound for everything! Normally, my chickens are 3 dollars and ducks are 2.20 per pound."

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