18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 184

The new development probably wasn't updated on the map. That wasn't a surprise.

Jasper had shared the general direction of the rescue efforts, and Stella had a hunch. They headed southwest. The area was a newly developed suburb, a part of the city's expansion, and indeed, new properties were under construction, and the land was rather vast. Jasper drove while Stella navigated. Upon reaching the area, they were met with the sight of abandoned buildings, dried-up riverbeds, and cracked earth.

They drove up an overpass and, using binoculars, Stella spotted a few buildings that showed signs of habitation. After she eliminated the old ones, they drove around, and sure enough, they found the place - it was the Eastwood Eden.

It was a riverfront luxury development, and the main entrance was grand yet artistically designed. There were about a dozen buildings inside, spaced far apart. Had the disaster not struck, the properties here would have started at $5 million. Although the development was massive, it didn't seem to house many people. Surprisingly, it was a whole other world inside.

There was a security booth at the entrance, and there were six guards on duty. Calling them guards might not be accurate. Judging by their clothes, they seemed to be residents of the community. Noticing the Hummer parked at the entrance, they immediately became alert, "What do you want?"

Stella leaned out the window, flashing a friendly smile, "Hey there, we're looking for a place to rent. Do you have any vacancies?"

Renters? The guards didn't let their guard down, "Where did you come from, and why do you need a place?"

"We live near the university town, and our house has developed cracks. It's not safe."

The guards whispered among themselves, "We have places, but you need to pay rent and pass an interview."

An interview for renting? Stella was surprised, but she got it. After all, in a world post-disaster, trust was a rare commodity. Who would dare to let strangers in?

Despite the surprise, Stella noted that the Eastwood Eden seemed united. They even had residents on guard duty. Unlike Sunrise Sanctuary, where anyone could walk in and the gates wide open and unguarded.

Stella couldn't help but become more interested, "How much is the rent?"

"Depending upon the conditions, it ranges from 10 to 20 pounds of grain per month."

"Is it coarse grain?" Stella asked. After receiving an affirmative answer, she inquired, "When is the interview?"

I'll go and

took turns guarding the entrance; they seemed to have a strong sense of

a book by its cover, but in a world post-disaster, you often had

Even though the guards were scrutinizing them, Stella only sensed caution and wariness, but no malice. Besides, she had the advantage of having Jasper, an expert lip-reader,

herself looking forward to living in the

the interviewer finally arrived. He was a man in his forties, wearing an old but clean gray T-shirt.

recognized him. He was the man who had led the

extended his hand, "Are you

"Yes, we'd like to

they were soon sweating. The man invited them into the guard booth and introduced himself, "My name is Mark. May I know

"My name is Jasper."

invited them to sit down and handed them a couple of

they fanned themselves, Mark asked them detailed questions - age, gender, address, hometown, family

rent a place. Are

when the disaster struck. A few property owners, including myself, had

for survival and gradually took in more

and the unpredictability of people, we are

I conduct the interviews. My hope is that everyone who moves

a psychologist. No wonder he questioned them so thoroughly. He could make judgments about their character from their conversations. Just a simple conversation could help him filter out the majority of survivors

Mark turned to Jasper, "Mr. Jasper,

but

Mark became very interested and

grew up in an orphanage, and I

for a moment, "If you move in, other than a child, do

was