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

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 in the

o'clock and slept soundly until morning.

night, the sled was ready, fashioned

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

its weight, especially around the chest area,

this when you go out. If you run into

make a vest for Cooper too, but

would get a vest. The only problem was...

should I ask?" Stella was puzzled.

going on between them. Why would Stella hide

door of room 1801 opened, and Rosie came out rubbing

ask further. She went back to her room to change and

held the rope in his mouth, thinking, "Come on, human,

was accompanied by Rosie, so Stella felt obligated to take Cooper

Griffith Mountain to cut wood, so they all left together. Stella

me try." He didn't know how to rig a sled, but he had a good

sled could use some modifications to make it more efficient and carry more firewood."

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

a dog at home, but they could use a person

German Shepherd, had excellent stamina and explosive power. As soon as the ropes were tied, he bolted forward

quickly chased after him.

like something was dragging behind him.

for carrying