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.

remember to knock on our door

Stella returned home. Hector and Sadie were both gone. She

their constantly pestering, it would've been better to let these two enjoy themselves in the

morning. As Angela had instructed, Stella knocked

ready, fashioned from aluminum pipes to be light and

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

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

when you go out. If you run into trouble, it

to make a vest for Cooper too, but there

problem was... they didn't know Jasper's size, and Angela was a bit hesitant. "Maybe you could

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

was baffled. Anyone could see what was going on between them. Why would Stella

and Rosie

time to ask further. She went back to her room to

step but also held the rope in his mouth, thinking, "Come on, human, help me

Stella felt obligated to take

wielding a machete. They were also heading to Griffith Mountain to cut wood, so they all left together. Stella didn't

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

some modifications to make it more efficient and carry more firewood." He

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

could use a person instead. It was still better than

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

and quickly chased

something was dragging behind him. He turned his head instinctively wanting to

carrying wood.