18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 8

"There's not much at home, it'll be fine if I'm careful."

Stella hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed. If he had food supplies, her safety would be ensured. It was better for him to go out and get supplies than to target her. Jasper glanced around the living room. "Thanks for looking after Rosie."

"You're welcome. You helped me out yesterday too." Stella was a cautious woman. She had stored away her hoardings early. The kitchen only had some understated butternut squash and cabbage. Nodding, Jasper left.

With her cooking plans delayed, Stella turned on the bathroom light and continued her struggle with the pork she hadn't finished cleaning from Arcadia. Halfway through, there was a sudden power outage. She closed the door and slipped into Arcadia. Arcadia still had power. Stella was ecstatic, and her confidence in the dark apocalypse grew.

People were unpredictable. Even when dealing with a child, Stella was extra cautious, cooking simple pasta for dinner. Stella added a slice of ham which Rosie ate with great delight. Once Rosie was more comfortable, she was less fearful. "Ma'am, your cooking is delicious. My brother is a bad cook."

Being in his early twenties, it was understandable that Jasper didn't know how to cook. Seeing that Rosie had a good appetite, Stella gave her an extra half plate of food.

By six o'clock, it was completely dark.

The Sunrise Sanctuary was located on high ground, but the floodwater still reached the front gate of the residential area. Although the group chat was still lively, there were noticeably fewer food pictures. The raging storm and power outage had made them feel fearful and anxiety was spreading.

Stella raised the price to 30 dollars, but still, no one responded. Firstly, they were neighbors. If they were greedy for money, it would be awkward in the future. Secondly, they were also scared and had become cautious of the dreadful weather.

into darkness. The once dazzling city lights were no more, and a sense of unease pervaded the air. Stella closed the curtains and turned on the solar lamp.

He was wearing dry clothes and carrying a bag. "Stella, thank you for taking care of

of noodles, a box of cold medicine, an alcohol

"The power is out, and there might also be a water outage. You

immediately closed the doors and windows and turned on the gas stove. She started to cook more dishes. She cooked until the early hours of the morning. When she went out to throw away the kitchen waste, she noticed wet footprints on the corridor floor. The wet

didn't just remind her to stock up on water,

room, Stella fell into deep thought. This Jasper guy was

Stella continued to sleep. When she finally got up, it was already past ten in

world was a dull gray. It was impossible to distinguish where the sky ended and the water began. There was a faint noise from the ground floor. When Stella

power went out, the group chat was much quieter, but there were still people posting pictures. The water had

being answered, and even if they were, it was of no use. The

frantically moved their belongings upstairs. This place was close to a university town, so very few houses were vacant. Even those that weren't occupied were rented out. Some savvy residents were already asking in the group chat if anyone could provide temporary shelter. Normally, neighbors would help each other. But now, not only was the power out, but the gas was also cut off in the morning. With no rescue

evident in the silence of the group chat. The residents on the ground floor were depressed. Surely they couldn't just block the corridor? With the ongoing typhoon and flood, how

doors, asking floor by floor. If there was no other way, they were willing to pay to stay like in

or they claimed that their houses were already full. There was nothing they

the people from the ground floor. But it turned out to be Jasper. He had just woken up and looked slightly tired. "I've replaced the door at my place. Can I install the old one at the staircase?" Stella was gladly to do that and quickly went to assist

most of the work. She only held the door while