18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 149

Before the big chop, Jasper made sure to snap a few pictures of Stella with his phone. As the buzz of the electric razor filled the air, a growing pile of hair littered the floor. Rosie scampered over, eyes widened as she took in Stella's newly shaved head. "Wow, Stella, you look like a boy."

Stella took a look at herself in the mirror, and... well, she didn't look bad. The buzz cut suited her, even. It gave her a certain edge, a dash of toughness she hadn't had before.

In this post-apocalyptic world, where smiles were far and few between, this new look gave her a certain 'don't mess with me' vibe. With her buzz cut, whenever Stella didn't smile, she looked like she was ready to throw down.

The next day, she went out to the rooftop to fetch some water and bumped into Cody and Lukas, who were popping some popcorn. Both of them were taken aback. "Good lord, when did we get a girl gangster on the 18th floor?" Stella decided to play along, flipping her water bucket at them. "Stick 'em up."

They handed over half a bowl of popcorn to her. "You know, Stella, that haircut really suits you. It's cool, badass, and refreshing."

"Are you guys just buttering me up?"

As the sun set, three buzz-cut figures were having a jovial time on the rooftop. Cody went downstairs and came back with three cold beers. They sat on the rooftop, enjoy beers.

As they drank, Stella noticed that Cody was downing his beer pretty fast. Lukas was a bit slower, but he too looked troubled. Having practically grown up together, Stella could tell when something was bothering them. "What's up?" She asked.

They didn't answer, and Stella didn't push.

...

month. They were finally long enough to be cut into two sections. Just as she was about to bag

her. Today was one of those days, with Cooper busy munching on popcorn next door. Seeing

in such good condition. She decided to bag them and let them wilt a bit before giving them away. After finishing her chores, Stella sat

official one and a military one. Each base could accommodate up to 300,000 people. The

into the apocalypse, the bases

official base was located in Goldbridge, situated in the northeastern direction of the province. It was a typical mountain city with

the province. It was a semi-industrial city, boasting the province's most abundant water resources, Lincoln River and Echo Lake. It was around 300 kilometers from Griffith. The

heard about the bases later. But what good did knowing do? She didn't even qualify to

each person needed to pay 20 kilos of grain. The military base required 50

couldn't understand, "Why is there such

class couldn't even afford 20 kilos of grain, let alone

explained, "The official base is hosted by the provincial government and jointly established and managed by various municipal

state. Soldiers establish and manage it entirely, so there's a fundamental

truth, "The military base, also known as Kindle Society, is humanity's last hope in a crisis. The 50 kilos of grain

Whether you were low class or high

Survivors who enter will be under military management. Those who don't follow orders or cause trouble will be expelled after three strikes.

it made sense. Even though it seemed harsh, special times called for special measures.

strict rules. Otherwise, it would inevitably lead