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.

stepped out of Arcadia, the loud knocking on her door made her ears ring. "Stella!" The force was so strong that even the stainless steel door seemed

coming, I'm coming!"

air took her breath away, causing

opened the door, an anxious voice reached her. "Stella,

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

fur coat and then knocked on the door

awakened by his earlier knocking and were

in two fur coats, Stella now resembled

that Stella was a little slow, Jasper shook her by the shoulders. His expression

to go back

"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. Jasper picked her up and carefully fed her the hot ginger

tears will freeze and your face will end

three occupants were in a frenzy, putting on warmer clothes. Their hands

in 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 teeth were chattering from the cold. "If it wasn't for the million you found, we'd all be dead tonight." They had bought heavy clothes, quilts, and other warming items to

Lukas were hugging each other tightly. Stella warmed up faster, and managed to start a fire for

the three were alright,

door of room 1801 was still open,

charcoal stove. "She's warmed up after

and only her bright eyes visible. "I'm

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

Rosie instantly felt better and reached out to pet

charcoal stove was lit, warming up