18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 210

To avoid heatstroke, the welfare distribution happened in two time slots, from five to seven in the morning and from seven to nine in the evening.

Jasper's team was assigned the morning slot. They woke up at three in the morning, Stella coaxed their dog, Cooper, with some fish and chips. "Cooper, guard the house, Okay? We'll be back soon." Cooper whimpered, and finally agreed.

With their backpacks slung over their shoulders and buckets in hand, they met with the other early morning residents at the main gate. There were over seventy people, including elderly and children. Everyone was nervous, but when they saw Jasper and Stella, they felt more at ease.

Mark took attendance and made sure everyone was present before they set off.

People who had survived two years of the apocalypse didn't put on airs. They walked in the dark, guided by their flashlights. There were no complaints. After all, Jasper had a car, yet he chose to walk with them.

The community center was quite a distance away. When they arrived at 4:30 am, there was already a long line of people.

After arranging their team, Stella and her team queued at another window to update their residency information.

At 5 am, the welfare window opened on time. There were police officers maintaining order. Despite the large crowd, no one caused any trouble.

Who had the energy to cause trouble when they were hungry and thirsty anyway?

The people from Eastwood Eden didn't arrive early. They waited for an hour and still hadn't taken their turn.

By 6 am, the sky was already bright. People were getting anxious, hoping to collect their supplies and return before the heat of the sun hit.

The scorching sun was super hot. It could cause skin to redden and itch quickly, and even cause sunburns and blisters that could lead to infections.

Stella estimated they had about ten more minutes to wait. They would likely return before 8 am, which was ideal.

However, she felt something was off today. The eastern sky was usually bright by now, but today it seemed gloomier and the air was becoming more humid. Just as she was about to speak to Jasper, a frantic sound echoed.

"Thud. Thud. Thud."

Then, screams erupted, and the crowd instantly panicked.

a sharp pain

"Run, it's hailing."

yelled, pulling Stella towards

some the size of pigeon eggs, chicken eggs,

hailstone and fell. Fortunately, Jasper was holding her arm. Otherwise, she might have

and dragging Stella, Jasper pushed forward. The crowd was rushing towards the community

too far away, and his quick reaction allowed

who were late or slow could not squeeze in. Even if they couldn't get in, they tried, pushing and shoving until the place was packed. Some children were crying out of fear. There were shouts, shoves, people being trampled on, and even those seizing

get in covered their heads with their bags or water buckets

were injured, some bleeding from their heads, and some were struck by fist-sized hailstones, falling to the ground clutching their water buckets, never to

inside. The restroom at the end

room was small, filled with mops and brooms, just enough

Just as she was about to check

was shocked. "Where are

the forehead, and it hurt so much she forgot to cry. Her brother had told her not to cry, that tears were useless. Jasper looked back at

out a first-aid kit from her bag, and started to treat Rosie's wound. She stopped

"Jasper,

arms, anxiously asking,

was a concussion, Rosie would recover with rest and

Jasper's anxious expression, Stella didn't dare to mention the worst-case scenario. "It might be a concussion. Let's stop

were dying due to lack of medication or their family members became extreme, believing that the hospital was withholding medication. They thought the hospital was

disasters. If they had

Even if it was open, the equipment could

otherwise, she feared Jasper wouldn't be able

do

head hurts so much. I feel like throwing

but you'll be

Stella's expression. "Are you hurt

shoulder and took out two ice packs from