18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 276

Angela could never have fathomed the hidden truth behind her parents' death. They hadn't succumbed to a heat stroke; they had been starved to death.

The children, frightened into submission, spilled everything.

No one could have predicted the calamity would last this long. At first, there was peace in the family, but soon, greed took over.

The eldest brother accused the younger of eating more than his share, while the younger suspected the elder of hoarding warm clothes. In the end, they each resorted to dipping into their parents' life supplies.

Reluctantly, the family divided. Deprived of compassion, they manipulated and exploited their parents, leaving them without any supplies. Each brother felt wronged, blaming their parents for being selfish and not evenly splitting their resources.

Guarding their separate stashes of food, neither brother stepped down, allowing their parents to starve to death. But they had their pride, and so they fabricated a more respectable cause for their parents' deaths.

Angela, upon learning the truth, lost her mind. She stormed into her brother's house, beating the life out of them. Had military personnel not intervened, there might have been casualties.

During the chaos and emotional turmoil, Angela miscarried, bleeding profusely. Fortunately, there was a doctor at the base camp who managed to save her life. But due to lack of medicine for immediate treatment, she developed repeated infections, and her once robust health took a severe hit. To add to the complications, Angela was evicted from the base due to the violent nature of her actions.

With no other choice, the trio was forced to return to Griffith to scrape out a living. In order to survive, they had to resort to their old ways.

Stella could only sigh at their fate. They had left with hope, only to return battered and bruised.

Lukas had to continue his patrols and couldn't stay in the vehicle for too long. With a bitter laugh, he stepped out and walked away.

Before he went too far, he turned back and said, "Forgot to tell you, Cody found a partner."

Stella blinked, "Is she old lady?"

a bit too drunk and slept with Cody."

used to lead a team. When the team grew too big and unruly, she

she hasn't made any commitments. No one knows how much longer it

an address, suggesting she should

Lukas' figure receded in the distance, Stella sat in the car for a while before driving home.

came downstairs, "What happened?

Collin off at Swan Hill." Stella paused, "On the way back, I ran into

to see an old friend? Instead, she

happen to

on the sofa, Stella

through this. Even if Angela's parents hadn't died, their family

nieces, and nephews, not everyone can withstand the tests of the

just need to

should she say when she did? Two years had passed, and not only had Lukas changed, Angela had suffered both

presence might create a stark contrast, making Angela

a long time, but for some, it felt longer than a lifetime. Back at the 18th floor, everyone started

lights to sleep, Stella discussed with Jasper, "I want

"Where do they live?"

mentioned the address Lukas

moment, "That place is chaotic, full of survivors from the lower classes. It's basically a

the surroundings. That area, close to the edge of the city,

accompany you, but I won't go

relationship with the the people living in 1803 were merely professional, not personal. Secondly, he was not good with words. With him around, Angela might not feel comfortable opening up to

You stay back and look