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 had taken her letter

people only spoke halfway, but if Unity Village was indeed under surveillance,

Stella decisively kept her mouth shut. She even overcame her discomfort and moved

as they circled around Unity Village before finally

he said, letting go of

Unity Village

sure, but my gut tells me it is.

forces operative, Jasper's

also been alert, and although she wasn't as sharp as Jasper, she could faintly sense something

of the relief food have

not only a gathering

had come out

seeking refuge or forced

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

community center where a long line

a hushed tone, "With the relief food being distributed today,

would significantly reduce the

their strategy was a

for two hours, it was

they headed back to Sunrise

there, Jasper

Stella's arm and quickly steered her in another

anywhere!" a

familiar, like she'd heard it

"Bang, bang, bang."

Bullets whizzed past.

sprinted towards an office

they dashed into the

hesitation, they ran

gun from Arcadia by pretending

looking for a

shouted. "Gregory orders us to bring him their heads

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

firepower, they couldn't match Jasper's

round of gunfire, Jasper had killed five

Stella ran into a

was the