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.

knock on our door when you leave

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

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

set her alarm for seven o'clock and slept soundly until morning. As Angela had instructed, Stella knocked on the

night, the sled was ready, fashioned from

brought over a thermal vest. Actually, there were two vests, with thin steel plates sandwiched in between and stitched

in her hand and could feel its weight, especially around the chest area, where additional plates were added to enhance the impact

go out.

vest for Cooper too, but

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

Stella was puzzled. "You

baffled. Anyone could see what was going on between them. Why would Stella hide

Rosie came out rubbing her

have the time to ask further. She went back

also held

Stella felt obligated to

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

rig a

a while, he managed to rig the sled onto Cooper. "The sled could use some modifications to

dog pulling a sled, and got interested. "When we get back, try to

person instead.

excellent stamina and explosive power. As soon

and quickly chased

bit strange, and it felt like something was dragging behind him. He

master had made for carrying wood. He held back