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

it when people only spoke halfway, but if Unity Village was

suspicion, Stella decisively kept her mouth shut. She even overcame her discomfort and moved closer to Jasper, making them

her close as they circled around Unity Village before finally ducking

said, letting

Unity Village

but my gut tells me it is. All

operative, Jasper's instincts were sharper

been alert, and although she wasn't as

distribution of the relief food have

a gathering place for

many had come out to collect the

either voluntarily seeking

distribution of relief food was likely 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 the gang, this area should remain

center where a long line of survivors

distributed today, will the gang's minions come to collect their 'protection

significantly reduce the firepower

that their strategy was a

waiting for two hours, it was

they headed back

Jasper instantly

Stella's arm and quickly steered her in another

them anywhere!" a woman's shrill voice

she'd

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

as they sprinted towards an office building, a dozen men in pursuit,

they dashed into the

hesitation, they ran up

gun

kept running up, looking for a place to

upstairs," someone shouted. "Gregory orders us to bring

shot two

their superior firepower, they couldn't

round of gunfire, Jasper had killed five men

ran into

was the CEO's