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.

to knock on our door when you leave

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

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

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

night, the sled was ready, fashioned from aluminum pipes

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

feel its weight, especially around the chest

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

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

rush. Everyone on their floor would get a vest. The only problem was... they didn't know Jasper's size, and

I ask?" Stella was puzzled.

could see what was going on between them.

Rosie came out

further. She went back to her room to change and

being left behind, Cooper not only followed Stella with every step but also held the rope in

Stella felt obligated to

got to the 17th floor, she saw 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

He didn't know how to rig a sled, but he had a

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 to

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

at home, but they could use a person instead. It was still better than carrying

German Shepherd, had excellent stamina and explosive power. As soon

chased after

like something was dragging behind him. He turned his

was something his master had made for carrying wood. He