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."

Stella's eyes. Could it be that the police

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

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

her close as they circled around Unity Village

sorry," he said, letting go

Unity Village being

me it is. All

forces operative, Jasper's instincts

and although she wasn't as sharp as Jasper, she

sudden thought, "Could the early distribution of the

a gathering place for The Chaos gang but

example, many had come out to collect the relief

seeking refuge or

food was likely to draw these survivors out of Unity Village, preventing them from becoming hostages of the gang. Regardless, Stella felt a sense

community center where a

asked in a hushed tone, "With the relief food being distributed today, will the

the firepower

their

two hours, it was finally their

collected their relief food, they headed back

there, Jasper instantly

quickly steered her in another

I'd recognize them anywhere!" a woman's shrill voice echoed from

familiar, like she'd heard it

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

as they sprinted towards an office building, a dozen

them as they dashed into the

hesitation, they ran up the

who had come fully prepared, pulled out a gun

running up, looking for a

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

for cover, Jasper shot two bullets from above,

superior firepower, they

of gunfire, Jasper had killed five men and

Stella ran

the CEO's