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

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

it would've been better to let these two enjoy themselves

o'clock and slept soundly until morning. As Angela had

the sled was ready, fashioned from aluminum

a thermal vest. Actually, there were two

around the chest area, where additional plates were added to enhance the impact

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

make a vest for Cooper

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

should I ask?" Stella was puzzled. "You can just ask

was going

opened, and Rosie

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

being left behind, Cooper not only followed Stella with every step but also held the rope in his mouth, thinking, "Come on, human, help me tie the

by Rosie, so Stella felt obligated to

each wielding a machete. They were also heading to Griffith Mountain to cut wood, so they all left together.

rig a sled, but

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

back, try

a person

power. As soon as the ropes were tied,

chased after him. "Cooper,

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

master had made for carrying wood. He