18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 104

Having successfully evaded the soldier, Jasper provided Stella with a moment to catch her breath. Running in the biting cold, it felt like their lungs would burst.

After leaving Unity Village behind, they used the cover of night to return to Sunrise Sanctuary.

The night was as dark as ink, and danger lurked everywhere. They encountered several groups of robbers along the way. Stella, too tired to even speak, simply brandished her samurai sword.

"Sorry for bothering you guys." Recognizing the pair as formidable opponents, the robbers wisely stepped aside.

Just as they reached the entrance of their apartment complex, a figure rushed forward. "Stella?"

It was Angela's voice, accompanied by a visibly anxious Lukas. "Why are you guys just getting back?"

Relieved to see them both in one piece, Lukas sighed in relief. "We were waiting for you at Unity Village, but the military has it under lockdown. They have detained hundreds of people, and they couldn't fit them all in a dozen vans." It was not safe to talk outside, so they decided to continue the conversation indoors.

Back at their 18th-floor apartment, Stella, sipping hot water, explained, "We sneaked in, but we ran into military law enforcement. We had to find a place to hide to avoid being mistaken for looters. We didn't manage to slip away until nightfall." They both remained silent about the bikini party. That was one memory they'd rather forget.

Cody pondered, "So, we lucked out this time, stumbling upon a joint operation by three departments to round up The Chaos?"

Stella nodded. "Yes, we sure had a lucky escape."

Lukas was overjoyed. "That's great. Those guys are finally out of the picture."

With The Chaos out of the way, the 18th floor of Sunrise Sanctuary was now invincible. It was unlikely anyone would dare to challenge their authority any time soon.

The day's events had been nerve-wracking. They each retreated to their rooms for some well-deserved rest.

As they left 1803, Stella whispered, "Should I give you the stuff now?"

leave it with you for

was taken aback. "Are you

life-saving weapon, worth more than any amount of

was nonchalant. "You keep it

him in disbelief. Wasn't he afraid

through her. Jasper, who was always so stern, suddenly

his smile, Stella replied, "No." She didn't have a death

go." Jasper breezily opened the

annoyed. "I'm

"Sure."

sudden sense of disorientation. Jasper was becoming more

forward, whimpering and

piece of crispy fried fish. "Cooper is the best. Not only do you earn your keep, but you also protect the house." After

in their possession, they could finally rest easy. Stella was determined to lay low and fatten up for

Stella found herself unable to sleep. She dreamed of Jasper, clad only in swim trunks, his muscular chest and abs, and long legs on full

at her, then suddenly thrust

nightmare, Stella was panting heavily. Cooper nuzzled

to calm herself down. Not only was Arcadia still there, but so were

and finally managed to fall back asleep

was practicing boxing, Cody was practicing archery, and Lukas was

the protection fee collectors and in finding supplies, Stella and Jasper had done more. So the people from 1803

always wait for the weak. Just because she didn't

could be understanding, they would be able to avoid conflicts

a feast. It had been a while since the residents of the 18th floor had a gathering,

extreme cold was a challenge. With temperatures below negative 40 degrees, food would freeze into blocks as soon as it

suggested, "How about a stew? I still have some

ribs, and the people from 1803 provided lean meat, and dried