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.

said, "Stella, remember to knock on our door when you leave

a bit more conversation, Stella returned home. Hector and Sadie were both gone. She made a hearty

been better to let these two enjoy themselves in the post-apocalyptic world. Giving them a quick death was

seven o'clock and slept soundly until morning. As Angela had instructed, Stella knocked on the door of room

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

vest. Actually, there were two vests, with thin steel

especially around the chest area,

dangerous out there. Wear this when you go out. If

wanted to make a vest for Cooper too, but there wasn't

only problem was... they didn't know Jasper's size, and Angela was a bit hesitant. "Maybe you could ask

ask?" Stella was puzzled. "You can just ask him

was going

and Rosie came out rubbing her eyes. "Stella, let's

the time to ask further. She went back to her room to change and gathered some belts

followed Stella with every step but also held the rope in

was accompanied by Rosie, so Stella

to cut wood, so they

to rig a sled, but

he managed to rig the sled onto Cooper. "The sled could use some modifications to make it more efficient and carry more firewood." He explained his ideas

interested. "When we get back, try to make one. It

a person instead. It was still better

German Shepherd, had excellent stamina and explosive power. As soon as the ropes were tied, he bolted forward like a

was stunned and quickly chased

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

made for carrying wood. He held back and decided