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 that the police

people only spoke halfway, but if Unity

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

around Unity Village

he said, letting go

Village being

sure, but my gut tells me it

operative, Jasper's instincts were sharper than

and although she wasn't as sharp as Jasper, she could faintly sense something was

distribution of the relief food have something to do with

Unity Village was not only a gathering place for The Chaos

example, many had come out to

survivors were either voluntarily seeking refuge

from becoming hostages of the gang. Regardless, Stella felt a sense of relief. As long

community center where a long

being distributed today, will the gang's minions

would significantly reduce the firepower

seemed that their strategy

hours, it was

they headed back to

there, Jasper instantly

grabbed Stella's arm and quickly steered her in another

them anywhere!" a woman's shrill voice echoed

sounded familiar, like she'd heard it

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

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

they dashed into

they ran

a gun from Arcadia by pretending to get something

for a

someone shouted. "Gregory orders us to bring him their

for cover, Jasper shot two bullets from above,

their superior firepower, they

round of gunfire, Jasper had killed five men and

retreated, Stella ran into a

the CEO's