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hidden-cache
The discovery of a secret trapdoor and hidden box symbolizes hope and the potential for valuable finds amid widespread ruin.
1 chapter across 1 book
The Postman (1985)David Brin
Chapter 11
Gordon explores the abandoned town of Oakridge, searching for supplies amid the ruins left untouched by previous looters, indicating the absence of a nearby technological society. He discovers a hidden trapdoor beneath a rug in a physician's house, revealing a heavy metal box, but is interrupted by approaching locals who warn him to leave. After they depart, Gordon finds the box emptied and evidence of recent activity, suggesting the presence of other scavengers and the dangers of territoriality in this post-apocalyptic world.