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

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

woman with a sallow complexion who barked at them, "What are you

threw a punch. "Screw

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

house, the clothes in the closet, everything

charged at them fiercely. Stella slapped 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 showed no gratitude, but they also

came at them, his face was fierce and remorseless. What did that mean? He knew what was going on; he was

was wailing and crying, putting on a show. But it was all pointless. Everyone

life. A few punches left the woman unable to scream, and she was thrown out of the house

hit the elderly, but if

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, relying on the fact that she

keys and 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 finally showed fear. Their faces turned pale,

middle-aged woman. "You're a

that, she dragged her up by the collar and threw her out the window.

and Angela

blink an eye as she walked down the stairs and left. They rowed away in the inflatable raft, leaving the black widow struggling to swim not far away. What a pity, she 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

and Angela discussed, deciding to heading to the Griffith Hotel to look for Cody. Stella was torn, but remembering the beating Cody had taken on her behalf, she agreed. By the time they reached the Griffith Hotel, it was full to bursting. The staff was overwhelmed by the

starving. There was no hot water, and food was scarce, leaving a nauseating smell

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

was housing