18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 82

Cody and Lukas were immediately intrigued when they were told they were making a sled for the alpha dog. They hadn't seen a sled in person, but they'd seen pictures. They figured they could whip one up with a bit of tinkering. "Cooper, you are indeed a force to be reckoned with. You can even pull a sled."

Cooper looked utterly baffled, thinking, "What's a sled?"

No worries. If his master believed he could do it, then surely he could. "Woof!"

Seeing a pile of thin, cut steel plates on the table, Stella asked curiously, "What are you guys doing with these?"

Lukas teased, "Guess."

"I don't want to guess." Stella raised her fist. "Just tell me."

Cody explained with a smile, "You know there's a gang that's been terrorizing the neighborhood, demanding food for protection. They're armed, and we're just flesh and blood. So Lukas and I thought we'd make some bulletproof vests."

Stella was taken aback. She hadn't expected them to be so prepared. But steel plates couldn't stop bullets.

"They might not stop bullets but they could provide some cushioning. If we get shot, they might just save our lives."

"No, no, don't talk about such ill-fated things."

Stella felt a sense of relief seeing them trying so hard to survive. When she told them she was going with Jasper to cut some bamboo the next day, Cody and Lukas wanted to help. But the situation was getting more dangerous, and they needed to stay behind to guard their floor.

"Don't worry about us. Anyone who wants our supplies will have to step over our dead bodies."

Stella wanted to tell them not to be so dramatic, but she knew if their floor was breached, the invaders wouldn't spare their lives.

remember to knock on our door

and Sadie were both gone. She made a hearty meal to celebrate and opened

would've been better to let these two enjoy themselves in the post-apocalyptic world. Giving them

soundly until morning. As Angela had instructed, Stella

just one night, the sled was ready, fashioned from aluminum pipes

were two vests, with thin steel plates sandwiched in between and

weight, especially around the chest area, where

Wear this when you go out. If

vest for Cooper too, but there wasn't

was no rush. Everyone on their floor would get a vest. The only problem was... they didn't

I ask?" Stella was puzzled. "You

see what was going on between them. Why would Stella

of room 1801 opened, and Rosie

went back to her room to change

only followed Stella with every step but also held the rope in his mouth, thinking, "Come on, human, help

by Rosie, so Stella felt

the father and son of the Moore family coming out, each wielding a machete. They were also heading to Griffith Mountain to cut wood, so they all left together. Stella didn't want to waste Cooper's talents, so she tried to tie the sled to him when they

try." He didn't know how to rig a

could use some modifications to make it

got interested. "When we get back, try to make

use a person

power. As

quickly chased after him.

was dragging behind him. He turned his head instinctively wanting to bite

was something his master had made for carrying wood. He