18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 54

Stella had stocked up on a few guns, thinking they might come in handy in a pinch. She never expected Jasper to actually have a real gun.

The world order had collapsed, but the core parts of the government were still functioning, albeit at a snail's pace due to the flooding. Yet, gun control was still quite strict.

So she wouldn't resort to the real deal until absolutely necessary, and certainly not in broad daylight. Rousing the authorities was one thing, but she also had no logical way to explain it to Angela and the others.

Staring at the firmly shut door of apartment 1801, Angela pulled Stella inside, curiosity piqued. "How does he have a gun?"

"He used to be a SWAT officer, probably has his connections."

"Damn, not only can he fight, but he's a crack shot too."

Things should settle down now; Drew and his gang would probably lie low for a while.

Honestly, seeing the madman killed by Jasper was a relief for Angela and the others. He was a great yet pitiful father. Wounded as he was, there was no way he could survive, and falling into the hands of those people, he probably wouldn't have died a whole man. A swift death was better. At least he went out with some dignity.

Having a real gun in their group made Angela and the others feel more secure, but they were still a bit worried about being investigated.

They thought they were in for a fight, but it was disrupted by a madman. It was a blessing in disguise.

They watched as the uninjured scattered like birds, while the injured, realizing the 18th floor had no intention of helping, could only mutter curses as they left. Soon, the 17th floor quieted down.

This stand-off had attracted quite a crowd, but many were just lip service, not really participating.

The residents of the 17th floor wisely kept their doors locked. After all, they were too close to the 18th floor. If there was any retaliation, they would be the first to suffer.

met with a distressing scene. The hallway was

planned to dump the bodies into the flood waters and

deceased, who were furious upon learning that the bodies had been

accusations, the 17th floor

ask for any of this! Why are we always the ones to suffer? We didn't kill these people, so why are we being blamed for not opening our doors? You knew they were criminals. Why didn't you stop them? Now you blame us for their deaths?

the knives waving in anger, the family of the deceased dared not argue anymore. They left, muttering

they had calculated how much they could salvage from the 18th floor residents. Who knew they didn't get anything but their men would also be killed by the madman? How were these widows and orphans going to survive? Oh, God,

Lukas and Cody brought back some

spree lived on the seventh floor. He was a divorced father living with his daughter. Their home had been broken

to selling her body to survive. When he found out, he was furious and slapped her. Overwhelmed with shame, she jumped into the

and went on a vengeful killing spree. Several were slashed to death on the spot, a few bled out, and others were

were unconscious, with little hope of

greatly dampened the spirits of their

else. Those who looked healthy and robust during the standoff were probably the masked robbers. Although the madman had killed a few of them, some had escaped. They would have to be careful of this gang in the future. The fight hadn't happened, leaving Cooper, the bulldog, feeling out of sorts. Stella

a grudge against Hector?" asked

had a grudge against Hector

hugged Cooper, her eyes growing

...

from a nap, the walkie-talkie

was Jasper. Stella replied,

inevitable. The only way out was to

the door was heard, and Cooper ran to open the door with his paws, voluntarily exchanging places with Rosie,

seemed a bit down. "Stella, when

grow fast, and you'll be able