18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 24

Hearing about Cody's predicament, Angela was fuming. "Give him a beating and get him out of there!"

Sure, Cody had made a mistake, but he'd stockpiled all of Stella's needed medicine - not only was it all there, but he'd saved her both money and hassle. As a friend, Stella couldn't just stand by. After all, Cody had taken a beating for her when they were kids. Without hesitation, Angela kicked the door in, shouting, "Listen up, you've got one minute to clear out. If you don't, you don't want to know what will happen next!"

However, the only response was silence.

Stella handed Angela a crowbar from her bag. Angela, with her brute strength, started prying at the door.

"Who are you?" A voice suddenly echoed from behind them.

A couple in their sixties were walking up the stairs with a young girl who looked no older than nine. They were carrying a hefty bag containing what looked like an inflatable boat. Spotting the bag, Stella immediately recognized it as the one she had anonymously bought for Cody.

The brand was a professional one, not the sort an average person would choose to buy. In other words, these people were not only leeching off of Cody, but they were also hoarding the supplies she had bought.

Stella dragged the young girl by the collar to the door. "If you don't open this door, I won't hesitate to hurt your parents and your daughter."

She even pulled out a knife, scaring the girl into tears. "Mommy, mommy..."

The parents rushed in, stomping and shouting, "Murder! Murder!"

"Go ahead and scream. Let the whole building know that you've taken over someone else's home and pushed them to the brink."

Cody out, this had to be a collective effort! Despite the girl being only nine, she was mature beyond

the next. The purer the smile, the darker the heart. Perhaps they didn't want to, but when hunger struck, it forced

at them, "What are you doing? We've told you we don't know Cody. If you keep causing trouble, I'll call

threw a

missing. A boy from inside the house screamed and threw

house, the clothes in the closet, everything belonged

him and pushed him hard against the wall. Regardless of what the adults did, the two children were well taken care of. But their survival was completely dependent on Cody's resources. They not only

fierce and remorseless. What did that mean? He knew what was going on; he was even a

lungs, and the couple was wailing and crying, putting on a show. But it

few punches left the

glared at the couple. "I don't hit the elderly, but if anything

house was a mess. The supplies Stella had sent were down to a few pounds of rice and two packets of salt. The oil didn't seem to be touched. Lukas packed everything into a bag, along with some of Cody's clothes and other necessary items. The elderly woman,

found them. Lukas then proceeded to lock the door. He also took the inflatable raft. Without the raft, there was no chance of survival. The old man didn't let go until Stella pulled out a bloody butcher's knife. The family

at the middle-aged woman. "You're

her up by the collar and threw her out the window.

and

inflatable raft, leaving the black widow struggling to swim not far away. What a pity, she could actually swim. As for

had taken on her behalf, she agreed. By the time they reached the Griffith Hotel, it was full to bursting.

systems had collapsed, and the water was littered with garbage. The refugees were starving. There was no hot water, and food was scarce, leaving a nauseating smell hanging

way through the crowd, finally emerging half an hour later, panting heavily.

couldn't get any more specific information. After all, the hotel was housing thousands of people, and both the internet