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."

flashed in Stella's eyes. Could it be that the police had taken her

Unity Village was indeed under surveillance, there might be

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

her close as they circled around Unity Village before finally ducking

he said, letting go of

Village being

me it is. All four exits are

special forces operative, Jasper's instincts

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

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

that Unity Village was not only a gathering

come out to collect

voluntarily seeking refuge

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

returned to the community center where a long line

a hushed tone, "With the relief food being distributed today, will the gang's

would significantly reduce the firepower at

seemed that their strategy was

hours, it was finally their

their relief food, they headed back to

Jasper instantly became

arm and quickly steered

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

she'd

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

towards an office building, a dozen men in pursuit,

as they dashed into

ran up

prepared, pulled out a gun from Arcadia

running up, looking for a place

shouted. "Gregory orders us to bring

the stairs for cover, Jasper shot two bullets from above, scoring fatal

they couldn't match

Jasper had killed five

Stella ran

the