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."

possible for a single woman to kick Cody out, this had to be

a world as ruthless as this, a child could be smiling at you one moment, and plunging a knife into your heart the next. The purer the smile, the darker the heart. Perhaps they didn't want to, but when hunger struck, it forced people

middle-aged woman with a sallow complexion who barked at them, "What are

a

was knocked to the ground, and her face was bloodied. Several teeth were missing. A boy from inside the house screamed and threw a

house, the clothes in the closet, everything belonged

of. But their survival was completely dependent on Cody's resources. They not only showed no gratitude, but they

He knew what was going on;

was wailing and crying, putting on a show. But it was all pointless. Everyone else was half-starved and had no time to concern themselves with the fate of

A few punches left the woman unable

hit the elderly, but if anything happens to Cody, I'll make sure your entire family

seem to be touched. Lukas packed everything into a bag, along with some of Cody's clothes and other necessary items. The elderly woman, relying on the fact that she was female, fearlessly tried to wrestle the bag from Lukas. Stella kicked her down. "He doesn't

there was no chance of survival. The old man didn't let go until Stella

woman. "You're a real black widow, aren't

dragged her up by the collar and threw

and

could actually swim. As for how to deal with her, that was up to Cody. If Cody continued to be foolish then there was no need to save him. Even as friends, there was not much they could do. It was the end of

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

water was littered with garbage. The refugees were starving. There was no hot

through the crowd, finally emerging half an hour later, panting heavily. "The accommodation is divided by area, Cody should be

any more specific information. After all, the hotel was housing thousands of