All Chapters of The Apocalypse Hoarder: Chapter 201 - Chapter 210

After Cyrus handed out the day's rations, he noticed how far the food went. A dozen people had died in the last two days, so supplies stretched farther now.Many familiar faces were gone. He had not seen Diana or Natalie for days, most likely frozen or starved in the dark.…Back home, Zoey stepped out of the kitchen in an apron with a warm smile. "You're back, Master."Her gentle, capable air eased his mood a little.Time had shaped her into the role she chose. She was a smart woman who understood that in this world, clinging to a strong tree offered the closest thing to safety. She met every demand he voiced and many he did not."What are you making?" Cyrus stripped off his cold-weather gear as he spoke.Zoey knelt, set his slippers in place, and moved his snow boots to the rack. "Beef brisket with potatoes. You like it, right? I'm trying it out. I hope it tastes good."Cyrus wanted something hot in his stomach. He settled on the couch.Zoey brought over a basin of steaming

At that hour, the neighbors in Building 25 curled up in their rooms with the rations Cyrus had handed out. They ate dinner in the dark, each family pressed together for warmth.No one had showered in nearly a month. Their skin itched until it burned. Several had developed raw patches. They had no way to heat enough water, and even a pot boiled over a small stove felt wasteful. They needed that water to drink. A bath meant sickness, and sickness meant dying in bed with no hope of rescue.Rowan and Callum shared a room. They had been close since college, worked at the same company, and lived like brothers.That night, they felt unusually lucky. Cyrus had given each of them a boxed beef meal. The boxes had been pulled from a supermarket shelf long ago and frozen into bricks. That did not stop them. They tucked the meals under their down jackets and warmed them for nearly half an hour until the food softened enough to bite.In the pitch-black room, buried under blankets, only their hea

Cyrus did not have time to stand around and think. The days stayed short and the nights stretched on. If he did not locate the armory soon, he would end up returning in the dark.The dormitory at least gave him a reference point. He climbed out through the snow and surveyed the area again, matching each landmark with the direction Kenneth had mentioned yesterday.The excavator roared back to life. This time, he did not search long before he found the real structure.The armory was sealed tight. Buried under snow, its full shape stayed hidden, but it felt like a solid concrete box. He found a metal door secured by a heavy silver lock.Cyrus wedged a crowbar under it and pulled with everything he had. After a long struggle, the lock did not budge."Figures. A military armory is not something you pry open easily. But I also cannot use a gun on it."He set his hands on his hips and thought for a moment. Then he remembered the machine he arrived with.He smacked his forehead, climbed

Cyrus spread his hands. "Then that's it for today."He waved them off and signaled everyone to disperse.Before the crowd broke apart, Larry spoke up. "Cyrus, it's hard for you to search alone. Why not bring more people? Your snowmobile can seat three. If everyone helps look, we can finish faster."Heads turned, and eyes shifted toward Cyrus with restless hunger.The idea of going outside pulled at them, especially after seeing Kenneth return with clothes for Chloe and her daughter. If they could get out there, they could take whatever they wanted."Cyrus, if you need help, everyone is happy to pitch in," a woman said, her voice tight with forced courage.Cyrus narrowed his eyes. A slow smile followed. "So you want my snowmobile now? If that's the case, we can end everything here. From today on, I will not take care of any of you."Larry opened his mouth to explain, but Cyrus no longer listened. He drew his pistol and switched off the safety with a crisp click.Faces drained of

Faced with the terror of dying, the residents began to remember how "good" Cyrus had been.One person said it aloud. In chaotic times people swayed with ease, and hunger pushed them even faster.The emptier their stomachs grew, the more delicious Cyrus' cooking seemed in memory.[When you think about it… did we push Cyrus too hard?][He goes out alone in the storm. Finding food for dozens of people can't be easy.][Exactly. He only came back empty today. We won't starve from one missed meal. We can endure.][Those people he shot were asking for it anyway. They poked at the one thing he hated.][Right. Who did Larry think he was, eyeing Cyrus' snowmobile? Serves him right.][Hey, that reminds me. Larry was trash. His dog almost bit me once. Never used a leash.][Seriously? Then he deserved to die. And he dragged us down with him.][Whatever else, we need Cyrus back on our side. We need him to keep finding food.][Yes. That's the only way we stay alive.][No joke. His apartme