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.

Arcadia, the loud knocking on her door made her ears ring. "Stella!" The force

coming!"

like a blade. The cold air took her breath away, causing sharp pain in her chest. Cooper was coughing and kept scratching

opened

surprise. For a moment, she was dazed. But she quickly snapped back to reality. "I'm fine,

alright." Jasper buttoned up her fur coat and then knocked on the door of

his earlier knocking and were now frantically putting on

coats, Stella now

His expression looked stern. "Go back to your

turned to go back

her, "Don't lock

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. Jasper picked her up and carefully fed her the hot ginger tea. "Careful, it's

and

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 were shivering uncontrollably.

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 teeth were chattering from the cold. "If it wasn't for the million you found, we'd all be dead tonight." They

Stella warmed up faster, and managed to start a fire

three were alright, Stella finally left

door of room 1801 was still open, so she went in

a charcoal stove. "She's warmed up after

the blankets, and only her bright eyes visible. "I'm okay.

an opportunity to prove his robust physique. Unfortunately, he

fur, Rosie instantly felt better and reached out to pet his

was lit, warming up the