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.

on our door when

home. Hector and Sadie were both gone. She made

if it weren't for their constantly pestering, it would've been better to let these two enjoy themselves in the post-apocalyptic world. Giving them a quick death was

morning.

was ready, fashioned from aluminum pipes to be light and

brought over a thermal vest. Actually, there were two vests, with thin steel

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

this when you go out. If you run into trouble, it might just

a vest for Cooper too,

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

puzzled. "You can just

baffled. Anyone could see what was going on between

and Rosie came out rubbing her eyes. "Stella,

went back to her room to change and

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

Rosie, so Stella felt obligated to take

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

how to rig a sled, but he

sled onto Cooper. "The sled could use some modifications to make it more efficient and carry

a sled, and got interested. "When we get back, try to make one. It will be easier for us to carry more

use a person instead.

As soon as the ropes were tied, he bolted forward

chased after him. "Cooper,

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

his master had made for carrying wood. He held back