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."

Could it be

Unity

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

as they circled around Unity Village before finally ducking into

he said, letting go of

Unity Village being

me it is. All four

a former special forces operative, Jasper's instincts were sharper

alert, and although she wasn't as sharp as Jasper, she could faintly

the relief food have something to do with Unity

Unity Village was not only a gathering place

had come out to

voluntarily seeking refuge

Regardless, Stella felt a sense of relief. As long as they could wipe

where a long line of

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

the

their strategy was

waiting for two hours, it was

food, they headed

there, Jasper

grabbed Stella's arm and quickly steered

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

she'd

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

towards an office building, a dozen men in pursuit,

they

ran

pulled out a gun from Arcadia by pretending to

looking for a place

someone shouted. "Gregory orders us to

stairs for cover, Jasper shot two

superior firepower, they couldn't

gunfire, Jasper had killed five

retreated, Stella ran

the CEO's