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.

"Stella, remember to knock on our door when you

gone. She made a hearty

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

soundly until morning. As Angela had instructed, Stella

the sled was ready, fashioned from

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

weight, especially around the

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

a vest for Cooper too,

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

was puzzled. "You can just ask him

was baffled. Anyone could see what was going on

and Rosie came out rubbing her eyes.

She went back to

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

was accompanied by Rosie, so Stella

to Griffith Mountain to cut wood, so they all left together. Stella didn't want to waste Cooper's talents, so she tried to

He didn't know how to rig a

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

got interested. "When we get back, try to make

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

power. As soon as the ropes

stunned and quickly chased

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

for carrying wood. He held