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."

be that the police had taken her letter

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

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

Village before finally ducking into a

said, letting go of

Unity Village being

but my gut tells me it is. All four exits are being

special forces operative, Jasper's

had also been alert, and although she wasn't as sharp as Jasper, she

"Could the early distribution of the

that Unity Village was not only a gathering place for The Chaos gang but also home to

many had come out to collect the relief

either voluntarily seeking refuge or forced

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

where a long line

food being distributed today, will the gang's minions come to

the firepower

their strategy was

hours, it

food, they headed back to Sunrise

Jasper instantly became

grabbed Stella's arm and quickly steered her in another

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

familiar, like she'd heard it

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

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

they dashed into

they ran up the

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

for

orders us to bring him their heads

Jasper shot two bullets from above, scoring fatal

superior firepower, they

of gunfire, Jasper had killed five men and Stella

ran into a

was the