18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 158

Stella was a bit slow on the uptake, watching them clear out of the 18th floor and trudge down the staircase.

She hesitated for a moment but couldn't contain herself, racing to the stairwell to stop Cody and the others, "If things don't go well in Lincoln, remember, you can always come back." Lukas and Cody nodded, "Stella, no matter where we end up, you'll always be our friend."

She didn't say goodbye, instead, she watched them leave the 18th floor until their faint footsteps faded away.

Cooper was whimpering, rubbing against his owner now and then.

An hour later, Jasper returned. Seeing Stella lost in thought on the couch, he sat beside her, trying to comfort her, "Don't worry. They can take care of themselves. Plus, I've reminded them to be careful on the road." Both vehicles should keep a distance of about 50 yards, if the first one got into trouble, like a flat tire from a caltrop or a spike strip, at least the second vehicle could still be used, giving them a chance to escape or fight back. They were skilled with crossbows and had guns, and with their experience as security patrol officers, ordinary bandits wouldn't be able to touch them.

Stella leaned gently into Jasper, "I believe they'll do just fine."

"Stella, even though Cody and Lukas have left, you still have me, Cooper and Rosie. We aren't going anywhere."

In these apocalyptic times, saying goodbye was all too common, but that night, Stella suffered from insomnia, tossing and turning without a wink of sleep.

She was downcast for a few days, but then gradually returned to normal. However, she still felt strange. The 18th floor was too quiet, no longer filled with the laughter of those two, or the sound of Angela's boxing practice.

In the evening, Katie went to the rooftop to fetch water, "Stella, where have Lukas and the others been? Haven't seen them for a few days."

Stella didn't hide anything, "They've gone to Lincoln."

To the base? Katie was surprised, but also a little envious. Life at the base seemed good. Not only was there military protection, but there was also no shortage of water.

She wanted to go too, but each person needed to contribute 50 pounds of food to get in. Moreover, she heard that not everyone was allowed in the base; the screening process was very strict.

experiences, Katie had a hunch that

family were scholars, always busy with research. If they couldn't find suitable jobs at the base, they'd be stuck

children weren't exactly built for hard labor. After much thought, she decided to stay in Griffith. Her sons might be buried in their research day and night, but at least they were valued by the authorities and

forcibly requisitioned. As for compensation, the ordinary folks had no

surprised. She hadn't expected the city to move so quickly. Were

not only requisitioning building-related materials and factories but even farmlands, planning to build greenhouses to grow crops, and recruiting farmers and workers on a

intense heat was tough to endure, they believed their home

their hopes for the future but also knowing that having a job meant they wouldn't starve or die of thirst. They might not have enough to eat, but at least they

for farming positions was far beyond imagination. It was almost like anyone who applied got

farmland, the vacated factories were also used for indoor

but who knew how much was left after two years of natural disasters? Even if there were leftovers, the coastal areas in the south, which were low-lying, were never in

face of global disasters, every place was fending for itself. Who

if the national government gave orders, the priority would be to transfer to major bases. The share for each city would

couldn't just sit

even if an earthquake came, the outcome would be better than last time. Life went on,

Cody and the others gone, Stella found a silver lining. At least she didn't have to hide

the fertilized eggs of the ducks and quails, striving to achieve a self-sufficient poultry and meat supply. Jasper interrupted her plans, "How much

you have

large, but with two people continuously filling it up, there wasn't

want to go to Swan Hill or Mount

was puzzled, "What

Arcadia for cultivation, they wouldn't starve. However, they were short on meat and needed to prepare in advance. "Inland cities

growth cycle, so the city couldn't continuously provide survivors with food.

fishermen couldn't go out to sea to