18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 263

Shane pondered, "So you're saying they have insider information from the government or the base?"

"Two years of constant daylight, three years of endless night, then smog..." Bran's usual playful demeanor disappeared. "We worked so hard to get this confidential information from the base, but they've already acted on it.”

“I've been scouring the town for the past few days. I met a cop who gave me the scoop. Our confidential information originally came from Griffith. Someone sent a prophecy letter to the police, and it all came true. But the news was too shocking. The higher-ups ordered it to be kept secret, afraid that revealing it would cause a panic.

“The authorities had been stockpiling building materials because the prophecy mentioned a major earthquake, which did happen."

Shane squinted, studying his son. He seemed different somehow.

Bran's playful demeanor returned. "Dad, don't look at me like that. It's been three years since the apocalypse. People change."

Indeed, he used to be a party animal, his family's status allowing him to strut around any city. But then the disaster hit, and money and jewels became worthless.

Power became the most important thing.

Politicians used to fawn over him, but now? There were plenty of military and political power families in the base, the Porras family's era of dominance was over, they were being manipulated and used. That was why he wanted to return to Griffith. He didn't want to go back unless it was absolutely necessary.

Before, he thought he was tough. But once he entered the base, he saw what real tough guys were like. If you offended them, you had to put your life on the line. No longer could you rely on family influence or wealth.

Thinking of the man and woman's eyes, Bran knew not everyone was someone you could mess with. Even with a gun pointed at their head, that calm and mocking attitude was something he had never seen before in the post-apocalyptic world.

Although the Porras family still seemed to be thriving, it was because the authorities were willing to promote them. If one day they were unwilling, the mob outside might devour them.

These things often happened in the base. Many rich guys strutted around the base, but once they left, they were chopped into mud.

Aas long as you wanted to survive, there would come a day when you'd be afraid.

Shane said in a low voice, "Are you suggesting that the Porras family should apologize on behalf of the Homeowners Association?"

Bran stroked his chin. "Apologizing is out of the question. We have an image to maintain. The best course of action is to cool things down, investigate their background, then decide what to do."

Thinking of the man's sleek moves, his walk and posture, Bran had a hunch that he was probably from the military or police background, and not of ordinary status.

Shane was puzzled. "Military or police?"

He thought for a moment. "You handle this. If you don't handle it well, don't blame me for punishing you."

"Okay, I happened to be bored recentely." Bran was very interested in the people of unit 50 and decided to take up the role of Chairman of the Homeowners Association. "But we're going to have to fire all these security guards. They're nothing but con artists. They can't even take a punch. If something really happens one day, no one in the neighborhood will be able to escape."

They even had the audacity to demand such high wages. There must be something fishy going on.

"I think you should think about getting married."

"Dad, are you okay? You're still pressuring me for marriage after the apocalypse?"

"If you don't get married after the apocalypse, do you want our Porras family line to end?"

"Ouch, my stomach hurts. I need to go..."

......

As soon as she got up in the morning, Rosie shouted from downstairs, "The chicks have been born."

Stella came downstairs and sure enough, she saw that an egg had cracked open in the incubator, revealing a fuzzy yellow head. She hadn't seen a live chicken in three years, and the sight excited her.

The weather changes were drastic, so Stella took out a cardboard box, laid a layer of straw on the bottom, and put the hatched chick in it.

Without chicken feed, she used a blender to crush corn and wheat, added some water, mixed it, and put it in the box.