18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 335

The cries of the victim were futile in the affluent neighborhood plagued by a vicious virus. With everyone's strength sapped, no one had the energy or inclination to come to the aid of another. Finders keepers was the unspoken rule, though some homeowners fought tooth and nail to protect their property, often paying with their lives or being spat upon with a virus-laden bloody cough. The chaos in the villa district was different from the rioting in the streets. As long as no one broke the unspoken truce, a veneer of civility and composure remained intact.

Whispers and jealous rumors did circulate about the two families who had received more supplies, but the four individuals who managed to thrive in these apocalyptic times paid them no mind. If no one knocked on their door, life went on as usual. If anyone dared to cause trouble, they'd pay a steep price.

Several had eyed the property at building 50, but any attempt to take it by force was thwarted by Angela and Kitty, who, despite being women, had a ferocity that men often lacked. After a few close calls that left would-be invaders clutching their sides, building 50 was left in peace.

Angela went through the supply list. "Stella, anything here you need?"

Stella had no want for extra supplies, but since Angela had asked, she played along. Stella pretended to give the list a thorough look before pushing it back. "We're good for now, but we'll let you know if that changes."

Up on the rooftop, the men worked to install solar panels while Angela and Kitty busied themselves in the kitchen. The illness had left everyone weakened, and it was vital to regain strength as soon as possible.

Nearly all of Kitty's carefully reared poultry had died, save for a lone hen and drake, plus a couple of quails. Kitty decided to cook the drake, tossing together dishes like crispy kale with scrambled eggs, and spicy pepper stewed with dried greens.

None of the dead animals were wasted; they were either cooked thoroughly or preserved for future use.

Knowing Jasper and Stella's standards, Kitty hesitated to serve them the preserved meat. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to fall ill because of her cooking.

Stella, helping with the installation, mentioned, "Experts say the volcanic ash might be acidic. If it doesn't clear up soon, it might contaminate the soil. And if it rains, aren't we looking at acid rain? You might want to cover those panels with something to protect them from erosion."

building a glass enclosure.

team, Cody's relations with his former colleagues and the police were still strong. He wondered if it might be worth asking for a favor from Evan, who had

some strings

a modest power supply despite the heavy smog. It was

of moonshine at dinner. "Here's to you, Stella and Jasper. Thanks for looking out for us all these years. Without you, we'd be nothing but bones by now." "Don't talk like that," Stella retorted sharply. "Friends look out for each other. Besides, if you hadn't taken that brick for me when we were kids, I'd be the one reduced to bones." Cody drained his glass with a laugh. "Ah, I'm not good with words. The

the food, and

Night is over, what are you planning to do with the property across from the precinct?" Stella

they had managed to

sure. "Should we sell ours

homeowners gone, the remaining few lacked the strength to enforce the old rules. They could continue

are plenty of empty houses around," Stella said. "The smog might not lift for a while, and

the grandest villa, she caught a glimpse of a slender figure leading a little boy by the hand. "Mommy,

familiar, and it took Stella

rage, had broken her son's other arm when he couldn't move past his heartbreak. She had nearly

shook her head in wonder. Was Bentley's charm that great, or had luck favored him, bringing his girl back

care much for Bentley's affairs, but she did worry about Hugh. Those

no longer resembling a ghost town. Despite low visibility, people started to venture

was no exception. With patrols interrupted by the disaster, bold thiefs sneaked in, hoping to

as a rail and pale as a ghost, clad in nothing but a flimsy nightgown. "Wha-what are you doing here? Cough, cough, cough..." Her coughing was so violent that the thief thought her lungs might pop

thief was taken aback and said. "Hey, easy there, don't cough!