18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 68

Cody's playful jab had Stella laughing, not bothering to rebut. If she was really a jinx, she secretly wished this icy chill would never arrive.

A quick observation revealed that Jasper was as stoic as ever, and his expression was neither sad nor happy.

Cooper was a bit restless, and still had not settled down after four hours of training, making occasional whimpering sounds.

Uncertain of when the severe cold would strike, Stella kept the electric blankets, down comforters, and cotton quilts at the ready. She put on thermal clothing before going to sleep. The intense training during the day had drained her energy. She had planned to stay up late but was soon fast asleep.

Abruptly, Cooper's noisy barking and the crackling of the walkie-talkie woke her. Stella opened her eyes and was hit by the bone-chilling cold. Sharp squeals of rabbits echoed in the room. She switched on the flashlight to find over 20 rabbits huddled in Cooper's bed, shivering uncontrollably.

"Stella, Stella!" Jasper's anxious voice came from the walkie-talkie.

"I'm... I'm here." Her teeth were chattering from the cold.

He urged her through the walkie-talkie, "It's getting cold. Get dressed quickly."

The air felt like a knife, making it hard for her to speak.

Stella brought Cooper and the rabbits into Arcadia. As the warmth enveloped her, her stiff limbs took a while to thaw.

She quickly pulled on the clothes she had prepared earlier: thermal gear, cashmere sweaters, fur coats, multiple pairs of socks, snow boots, scarves, and a warm face mask.

She bundled up Cooper in thermal gear, a cashmere sweater, and a fur coat. The two rabbits, Smoky and Snowy, were also wrapped like little balls. The rest of the rabbits were stuffed into a foam box lined with several blankets. Whether they survived or not, was up to fate now.

After all these preparations, Stella poured herself a steaming bowl of hot ginger tea, the spicy warmth spreading through her throat and stomach.

knocking on her door made her ears ring. "Stella!" The force was so strong that even

I'm coming!" Stella called

out, the icy air hit her like a blade. The cold air took her breath away, causing sharp pain in her chest. Cooper was coughing and

to open the door to find Jasper kicking it. The moment she opened the door, an anxious voice reached her. "Stella, are you alright?" As he spoke, he wrapped a fur coat tightly around

she quickly snapped back to reality. "I'm fine, I was

her fur coat and then knocked

had been awakened by his earlier knocking and were now frantically putting on warmer clothes.

fur coats, Stella now resembled

slow, Jasper shook her by the shoulders. His expression looked stern. "Go back to

to go back

her, "Don't lock

was still ajar, she quickly went in. "I've made some ginger tea. You and Rosie should have some to warm up." Rosie was bundled up like a ball on the bed, and her little face was pale from the cold. She was shivering and couldn't speak.

and your

of tea and hurriedly knocked on the door of room 1803. The three occupants were in a frenzy, putting on warmer clothes. Their hands and feet were freezing and they

fur coats and quilts, anything that could keep them warm. The southerners were shivering, feeling uncomfortable as if their heart was numb. It took a few cups of hot ginger tea to revive them. "Stella, you... you really are a jinx." Cody huddled on the couch, and his

were hugging each other tightly. Stella warmed up

the three were alright, Stella finally

1801 was still open, so she

was starting a charcoal stove. "She's warmed

blankets, and only her

finally found an opportunity to prove his robust physique. Unfortunately, he was wrapped up so much that

better

lit, warming up the room