18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 97

Gripes aside, life must go on.

Jasper laid out various attack strategies, simultaneously providing impeccable countermeasures. Stella sighed again, realizing that survival in this post-apocalyptic world was no easy feat.

In the evening, Katie hollered from downstairs, announcing that the relief food, originally scheduled for the day after tomorrow, would be distributed tomorrow. Angela and the others were puzzled. What's with sudden change of plans?

Stella instinctively glanced at Jasper, just as he looked her way.

Their eyes met briefly, then quickly looked away.

"Angela, I'm planning to fetch the relief food in the morning, then take Cooper out for a walk in the afternoon," Stella said.

Without giving it much thought, Angela agreed, "Sure, we'll go after you guys get back."

That night, sleep was elusive.

Stella was contemplative, thinking that with Arcadia, she could live a better life. But even this kind of 'better' came with a price. She hoped for a successful day tomorrow.

The relief food was to be distributed at nine in the morning. Stella and Jasper agreed to leave at seven over the walkie-talkie.

They set out early, only to find Angela cycling in the hallway.

Rosie was nowhere in sight, and she casually asked, "Isn't Rosie coming?"

Jasper nodded, "Rosie's still asleep."

It was still early for the relief food distribution, and they had left without Rosie. Angela smirked, realizing their denial was just a façade.

Of course, Angela wouldn't call them out on it. She'd just wait and see.

After leaving Sunrise Sanctuary, the two of them didn't queue for food but headed towards Unity Village.

Upon reaching the intersection, Jasper suddenly paused.

Confused, Stella asked, "What's wrong?"

Jasper swiftly put his arm around her waist.

Stella felt a sudden rush of adrenaline. If she didn't know him better, she might have drawn her weapon.

"There's surveillance. Don't look around." Jasper whispered as he held her close, navigating through the icy chill.

"We're being watched?"

"Unity Village is."

in Stella's eyes. Could it be that the police had taken her

halfway, but if Unity Village was indeed under surveillance, there might be

her mouth shut. She even overcame her discomfort and moved closer to Jasper, making them look more like a close

Village

sorry," he said, letting go of

Village being

sure, but my gut tells me it is. All four exits

forces operative, Jasper's instincts were sharper

and although she wasn't as sharp as

"Could the early distribution of the relief food have something to do with Unity Village?"

had observed that Unity Village was not only a gathering place for The Chaos gang but also home to many

come out to collect the

were either voluntarily seeking refuge or forced to

to draw these survivors out of Unity Village, preventing them from becoming hostages of the gang. Regardless, Stella felt a sense of relief. As long as they could wipe out

center where a long line of survivors

distributed today, will

significantly reduce the firepower

their strategy was a

hours,

food, they headed back to Sunrise

there, Jasper

grabbed Stella's arm and quickly steered

recognize them anywhere!" a

sounded familiar, like she'd

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

towards an office building,

they dashed into

hesitation, they ran up the

out a gun from Arcadia by

running up, looking for a place to

someone shouted. "Gregory orders us to bring him their heads as

Jasper shot two bullets from

they couldn't match

of gunfire, Jasper had killed five men

retreated, Stella ran into

the