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

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

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

circled around Unity Village before finally ducking

sorry," he said, letting

Unity Village

but my gut tells me it is. All four exits

former special forces operative, Jasper's

been alert, and although she wasn't as sharp

sudden thought, "Could the early distribution of the relief food have something to do with Unity

a gathering place for The

many had come out to collect the relief

either voluntarily seeking refuge or forced to

to draw these survivors out of Unity Village, preventing them from becoming hostages of the gang. Regardless,

a long line of survivors had

"With the relief food being distributed today, will the gang's minions come to collect their 'protection fee'?" Jasper

would significantly reduce the

that their strategy was

hours, it was finally their

they headed back

there, Jasper instantly

grabbed Stella's arm and quickly steered her

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

like she'd

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

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

as they dashed

ran up the

had come fully prepared, pulled out a gun from Arcadia by pretending

up, looking for

to bring him

shot two bullets from above, scoring fatal

they couldn't match

had killed

retreated, Stella ran

the CEO's