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

halfway, but if Unity Village was

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

circled around Unity Village before finally ducking into a side

said, letting

Village being

gut tells me

special forces operative, Jasper's instincts were sharper

although she wasn't as sharp

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

was not only a gathering place

had come out to collect

voluntarily seeking refuge

preventing them from becoming hostages of the gang. Regardless, Stella felt a sense of relief. As long as they could

a long line of survivors

distributed today, will the gang's minions

would significantly reduce the

that their

two hours, it was finally

their relief food, they headed back

there, Jasper instantly

arm and quickly steered her in

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

she'd heard

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

an office building, a dozen men in

grazed them as they

they ran up

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

for a place

orders us to bring

Jasper shot two

they couldn't match

of gunfire, Jasper had killed five men and Stella

Stella ran into a sturdy-looking

the CEO's