18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 326

They were well prepared this time, and wouldn't necessarily be infected, but going to the research institute might be a different story.

Everyone was afraid of death. Stella wouldn't have risked so much to pick up herbs if she wasn't afraid of dying. And she'd taken the trouble to take care of them for the past few years.

The smog sneaked in during the eternal night, and the toxicity and the speed of infection was even more astonishing. Although the siblings had worn masks when they went out before, they had opened the windows at home to ventilate the house. If one person was infected, the whole family was doomed.

About a dozen people in the villa where Monkey lived were almost all symptomatic, and there was a lot of coughing while talking on the neighborhood channel.

It was an ominous sign - the virus was among them.

Stella's heart was heavy with dread. She knew it was only a matter of time before the infection breached her doorstep. In these times of crisis, no one in their right mind would dare venture out, but could they truly outwait the reach of the haze?

Jasper had lived through the initial outbreak in his past life, which many had mistaken for a mere cold. He had worked tirelessly for six months before the virus claimed him, and he knew all too well that developing an antiviral took time - much longer than they had. Though Stella had provided a breakthrough medication, the ticking clock of their health was a nemesis no one could predict.

"I'm not one to sit around," Stella declared with grim determination. "The research facility is a dangerous place, but it's also our best shot. If we can get in, we'll have access to top-notch care at the first sign of symptoms."

Jasper understood her fears, yet he couldn't bear the thought of her walking into the lion's den. "Stella, I don't want you to go," he pleaded, recounting the harrowing days of his sickness when it felt as if millions of parasites were devouring his insides. Back then, he had nothing to lose, but now they had loved ones, and the thought of one of them perishing was unbearable.

Jasper tried to convince her, "We're both healthy, haven't been sick in years, and as long as we sanitize every day, we won't get infected. Don't worry too much."

Since they've been together, this was the first time he took such a firm stance. Stella thought about it and didn't resist, perhaps she was really worried. Jasper was right, she was not alone now, beside her were him, Cooper, and Rosie.

didn't sleep well at night, she kept feeling dizzy, as if hearing coughs in

in the morning, Cooper wagged his tail and came over. Before he even got close, he sneezed three times

first. She thought Cooper's sneezes were caused by the cleaning product. But as the sneezes

the past, he would've finished all of them without hesitating. Stella knew his appetite well; he always cleared

down his throat. She couldn't

dog's eyelid, the base of his eye was slightly yellow, with a hint of dark blue. Her head started to thump, Stella's eyes began to hurt, and she hurriedly went

room, "Are you

Stella replied while packing, "Cooper may be infected. I

tried to reassure her, "Calm down, it's

throat is red and swollen with white spots, and his eyes are yellow and turning blue.

of fried fish lately. It may be just a throat inflammation, why not try

at him, "If Rosie was the one who got infected, would you stay so calm?" Her

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that,

her, then helped her pack,

need, you stay home and

The research institute was the most dangerous place; they couldn't afford to take risks with a family. She could just take Cooper alone, so they wouldn't all be

you and Rosie are healthy, but Cooper is

morning," Jasper revealed shockingly, "In just a few short days, she went from getting sick to dying very quickly, and her entire family got infected. Stella, if you plan on going to Swan Hill alone with Cooper, whether I get

Stella felt reluctant, "But..."

held her tightly, "Stella, if something happens to you in Swan

will also get infected. They held each other tightly. Their voices were a bit loud, attracting Rosie to