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.

won't die," she

pain was unbearable. "Don't seek revenge on the 18th floor after I'm gone. The gang won't let go of

wins, there's a chance our son could return. You need

body to the kitchen and grabbed a knife before heading downstairs. "I'll fight them, but you,

wife watched as he walked away, calling after him, "Wait,

stop. With his last bit of strength, he made it to the seventh floor, but not much further.

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

assured him,

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

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

would die if you were hit." Stella continued to

her. 'Was she really not fooling

finger with his paw in a 'pinky

only Cooper had the courage to hit Stella. Anyone else would have been punished severely many times

case, they didn't have the guts. The lingering trauma from Stella's beatings in their childhood

resentment and teardrop circling her eyes restlessly. He gently stroked his

time there's danger, he either tied her to a tree or locked

wondering how they should be divided. Holding one of these would

weapons. Without hesitation, he picked one up and placed it in Stella's hand. Then he picked up

Cooper's actions. Stella laughed and took

suggested, "How about

agreed, hoping that Stella and Jasper would agree too. This would give them more confidence

before

crude weapon to be