18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 93

Stella had no patience for nonsense. "If our mere presence is such a curse, then do us a favor and get lost."

"Why should we move?" Korey's wife glared at her viciously. "Because of you, my son was kidnapped and my husband was hurt. This isn't over!" Stella was speechless. "What do you want?"

Korey held back his wife. His eyes were filled with pain as he looked at Stella and her group. "I'm sorry. I know I messed up. I shouldn't target you guys. But I was desperate. My son is only eight. If I don't do as they said, they will kill him. I know I brought this on myself, but my mistakes shouldn't affect my son. Can you help me save him?"

Stella was speechless. She couldn't believe he had the audacity to ask that.

If he stood with them, like the Moore family, and told them about the kidnappers' true intentions, she might offer to help him by providing the latest news about the gang. But he had chosen to hide, putting them in danger time and time again. And now he wanted them to risk their lives to save his son?

"You're dreaming," Stella snapped.

She ignored him and walked straight to room 1702, kicking at the door. "If you have any guts, stay in there and never come out."

Angela added a kick. "Listen up, if you don't come out now, I'll break down this door!"

But, the door of 1702 remained shut.

"Fine, be that way," Stella scoffed. "See if we ever come here again."

After that, she walked away, heading back upstairs. Angela and the others followed suit. No one wanted to be the sacrificial lamb anymore. They'd let the 17th floor deal with their mess.

Korey's wife wanted to confront Stella, but her husband held her back.

"Listen, I can't hold on much longer, Jane," he admitted.

she sobbed, holding him

on the 18th floor after I'm gone. The gang won't let go of them and the 18th floor won't compromise. You need to survive, for me and for Jacky." "I can't live without you,"

could return. You need

to the kitchen and grabbed a knife before heading downstairs. "I'll fight them, but you, you need to survive. You need to be there for Jacky when he comes

as he

his last bit of strength, he made it to the seventh floor,

returned home, her dog, Cooper, came bounding up to her,

okay, boy. I'm alright," she assured him, crouching down to scratch

was still agitated. His paw accidentally punched her on the shoulder. Stella winced and the others watched in shock. They hadn't expected the dog to be so fierce, especially since he seemed to respect Stella. They thought it was best not to interfere, so

into Stella's arms, letting out continuous sobs. He felt rejected,

are lethal. You would die if you were hit." Stella

looked up at her. 'Was she

linking her finger with

the courage to hit Stella. Anyone

have the guts. The lingering trauma from Stella's

and teardrop circling her eyes restlessly. He gently stroked his

do it too." Why was it that every time there's danger, he either tied her

laid out the weapons they had found, wondering how they should be divided. Holding one of these would definitely boost their confidence. Stella was pleased to see this. Finally,

hesitation, he picked one up and placed it in Stella's hand. Then he picked up

others were stunned by Cooper's actions. Stella laughed and took the second weapon from him, placing

about

that Stella and Jasper would agree too. This would

before speaking. "I don't need

probably found this crude weapon to be beneath him and damaging his