Chapter 299


    A swarm of thugs rushed forward, and if it weren''t for the four of them being tough and formidable,


    their supplies would have been snatched away.


    The problem was that the thugs came in waves. They were constantly on edge, not knowing when


    danger would strike again.


    Ste furrowed her brows. Lukas had bought a house in the third phase, which was bordering Swan


    Hill and no longer at the heart of the city. The military and police forces of Griffith were mainly


    concentrated in the city center, with some deployed to protect important facilities and factories.


    There was a significant shortage of manpower, and the surrounding areas were the most affected.


    After much deliberation, Ste said, "I bought two apartments across from the police station,


    thinking that if our vi gotpromised, we could take refuge there. For now, this area is rtively


    safe. We can spare one for you guys. We''ll deal with the rest after we get through this wave."


    Across from the police station? That indeed would be the safest ce.


    When they were originally house hunting, they had considered that area and had thoroughly


    scouted the vicinity, but they hadn''t found any second-hand houses for sale.


    "Thank you, Ste," Lukas and the others expressed their gratitude. Ste had once againe to


    their rescue at a crucial moment. Otherwise, they would have been torn apart between working and


    defending against the thugs.


    Ste held the keys, but going out during the eternal night was indeed dangerous. She believed in


    Lukas'' lock-picking skills, "You can go straight there. The residents all know us. Just mention my


    name along with Jasper''s, and they''ll let you in."


    Austin handed Monkey a walkie-talkie. They kept in touch regrly and had heard that their


    rtions with the people of Eastwood Eden were amicable. Under Christian''s lead, the building was


    kept fairly secure.


    Thus, Lukas and the others packed their supplies and weapons and headed to the apartment


    across the police station.


    Two hourster, the walkie-talkie crackled with Monkey''s voice, "Miss, there are four guys


    mentioning your name wanting to move in. Is that right?"


    "Yeah, that''s correct."


    Ste reported the names, heights, and appearances of Lukas and the others. "They are my close


    friends. I appreciate your help."


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Once Monkey and his crew confirmed their identities, they let them in. "Don''t worry, Miss. Your


    friends are our friends."


    When Jasper came back from his shift, Ste told him about it.


    Jasper didn''t object. The initial purchase of those apartments was for emergencies. The best-case


    scenario was not having to use them. Now that they could help Lukas and the others, it was a good


    thing.


    During dinner, he mentioned, "Tracy and her daughter from Building 36 seem to have left. Only the


    two boys are home. They were injured in an attack by thugs and without medical supplies, they


    were only getting worse. When the patrol team noticed that the Riley family hadn''t shown up for


    their shift, they went to check and found the children had passed away from their illness."


    Ste said nothing and continued eating. If Tracy really wanted to save them, she would have found


    a way to get the medicine. The natural disaster was cruel. People were dying every day, and Ste


    had very little empathy left, only enough for a few people.


    A month into the eternal night, an agricultural institute brought some good news.


    The agricultural institute had sessfully developed a nt that could grow with minimal light.


    Griffith had already arranged for personnel to collect it, and it could be distributed in three days.


    The government encouraged survivors not to venture out during the eternal night. They should form


    groups within theirmunities to collect supplies while being mindful of their safety. After


    discussion, themunity decided to go.


    This was somewhat unexpected for Ste, but understandable. The rich wouldn''t put all their eggs


    in one basket. They had secret bases for storing supplies, and the vi could at most store a year


    and a half''s worth. Many property owners had lost a significant amount of supplies due to thug


    looting.


    However, the outside was too dangerous. How to bring the supplies back was a big problem, so


    they all pinned their hopes on the Porras family.


    The Porras family was in a predicament. Their RV was too conspicuous, and they would be torn to


    pieces if they went out.


    It was Bran who came up with a solution. With a cheeky grin, he approached Jasper, "Jasper, how


    about we go collect the supplies?"


    Jasper refused.


    "Don''t be so stingy," Bran cajoled. "Your Hummer is bulletproof and bombproof. It''s very safe


    compared to my Land Rover, which might as well be made of paper."


    When it came to car modifications, he was a professional. Bran knew Jasper''s apocalyptic vehicle


    was very impressive.


    "Ah, if only that damned thief hadn''t stolen my Predator," hemented. "Then I wouldn''t have to ask


    you. All I''d need is a press on the gas pedal to crush those thugs into dust." He couldn''t bear to


    think about it. His heart ached.


    Jasper grimaced. Finally, under Bran''s relentless persuasion and the promise of a three-day rest,


    Jasper reluctantly agreed.


    Upon learning that only he and Bran were going, Ste, who had little trust in this yboy, decided


    to apany them. Leaving Cooper and Rosie with Austin, they armed themselves and set out.


    Bran was even more extravagant. He wore a bulletproof vest, helmet, and night-vision goggles.


    Inside his coat, he had seven or eight guns and a few grenades.


    Ste rubbed her temples but said nothing.


    Bran was excited, touching here and there once he got in the car. Seeing Ste roll her eyes, he


    wasn''t the least bit embarrassed. "Ste, I haven''t touched a car this nice in a long time. If my


    Predator hadn''t been stolen..."


    "Are you done?" Ste snapped at him. "Just let it go. Do you think constantly bringing it up makes


    you look capable?"


    Bran, who was already heartbroken over his lost car and now felt like his wound was being salted,


    fell silent. "I...I won''t mention it again, okay?"


    They drove out of themunity, speeding through the darkness.


    Indeed, the danger lurked everywhere in the dark. Thugs armed with weapons asionally rushed


    out from the sides of the road. Unfortunately for them, they couldn''t catch up to the four wheels.


    There were even more annoying ones who picked up stones and threw them from afar. Jasper,


    wearing night-vision goggles, swerved the vehicle in an S shape to dodge the flying stones. None


    hit the car''s windows.


    Having seen through their clumsy tricks, Jasper and Ste were no longer surprised. Bran in the


    back seat, however, was furious and pulled out his gun, "What the hell!"


    They soon arrived at Griffith''s agricultural institute, which was already crowded with peopleing


    to collect supplies. Everyone had a pot helmet on their heads and weapons in their hands.


    Groups eyed each other warily, their gaze saying, "Don''t mess with me."


    Bran had a gun permit and openly showed his firearm. The others immediately backed away from


    him.


    After waiting for over an hour, it was finally Hopefield''s turn.


    The agricultural institute had developed edible moss, which was ck in color. The moss felt rough


    to the touch, yet it was notably resilient to the cold and enjoyed shady areas. It could thrive under


    the faintest light, growing at a rapid pace. You could simply transnt it into rotting wood or soil.


    On-site staff, equipped with a megaphone, exined that the moss, a sort of ck lichen, could be


    kept indoors as long as the humidity was maintained at a suitable level.


    Hopefield collected tworge bup sacks of the stuff, cramming it all into the trunk of their vehicle.


    Bran, ever the speed demon, was itching to take control of the steering wheel, but the others paid


    him no mind.


    Ste made a special trip to the local university. The Herbal Medicine Research Department was


    temporarily closed, the interior shrouded in darkness.


    Three years of perpetual night, implying the department would also be closed for three years.


    Thankfully, Collin had once offered that Ste coulde to him in Swan Hill anytime she needed.


    Riots were breaking out everywhere, and the butterfly effect was strong. She hoped he would be


    safe amidst all the chaos.


    On the way back to their residential area, they found themselves in the midst of a looting spree, with


    hundreds of thugs reveling in the chaos.


    After the bandits had had their fill of plundering, they rushed out of the building, running straight into


    police officers on duty. The officers didn''t even have time to open the car door before they were


    swarmed by the rioters.