18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 336

The haze was a killer, claiming lives with its suffocating grip. Stella fretted over the potential difficulty in selling her house amidst this chaos. She decided to pay a visit to the local real estate center for advice.

Upon arrival, she handed the receptionist-a cheery young lady-half a packet of cinnamon gum, which seemed to make the woman's day. Suddenly, everything was on the table for discussion.

"Your place is in a prime spot," the receptionist beamed, popping a piece of gum into her mouth. "I'd say you could list it for triple the current value. And if anyone's looking to buy, I'll be sure to put in a good word for you." Triple the value? In the wake of a virus that had toppled so many, Stella had expected the opposite-a buyer's market.

Reading Stella's puzzled expression, the receptionist smiled. "You must be out of the loop. Our little town of Griffith is blessed, you see. We've got survivors flocking here from all over, desperate for a safe haven. Houses here are selling like hotcakes." Stella was taken aback. She was no hermit; the radio was a constant in her daily routine.

"Griffith was the first to send out disaster warnings, and we've donated more antiviral meds than anyone else. Plus, we're sister cities with Swan Hill, but our real estate is way cheaper. If that's not a stroke of divine favor, I don't know what is." The receptionist's pride in her hometown of Griffith was palpable. "Living here means a higher chance of survival. Many who left for official shelters have returned."

Stella realized that the receptionist was doing her a solid, based on the goodwill of the half-pack of gum. Others weren't so savvy, undercutting their own sales, oblivious to the value they were giving away.

Sensing an opportunity, Stella handed over the rest of her gum. "You're a lifesaver."

"Don't mention it," the receptionist grinned, her smile reaching her eyes. "Now, when the house sells, do you want credits or goods? Credits are flexible for spending, but if you need specific supplies, you can make a request now." Stella pondered, "What kind of goods are available?"

The receptionist handed her the latest list of available items.

Truth be told, Stella didn't need any supplies, and credits didn't appeal to her either. She checked the list several times before settling on seeds and books.

Thanks to the relentless efforts of the local Agricultural Institute, a variety of heirloom seeds had been salvaged-rice, vegetables, even exotic herbs-all precious commodities in these apocalyptic times.

Stella chose varieties she didn't already have.

It seemed the authorities were trading with survivors for their books, refurbishing them, and selling them to those in need. But who would trade their precious supplies for books when daily survival

marked her choices. Once her house sold,

Wanting seeds was one thing, but books? What

proceeded at a snail's pace, thinking wistfully that a scooter would've been

After a quick registration at the familiar gate,

she went straight to check on Hugh. Pushing open the door, she nearly jumped at the sight of him. "Hugh, what in the

seemingly drained by a succubus, his face a patchwork of bruises. It was clear that love-or the

Stella said, "If

deep breath and said. "Thanks. I

outside as she pulled up a stool

smoke," he

old pack of cigarettes from her bag and lit one for him, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Thinking of romance when you can barely keep

when I'd fall for someone in the middle of the end

she had real feelings for you,

lit another cigarette,

can't even feed yourself. How are you going to provide for

winced. "I am your teacher after all, Stella.

for if not to stab you a

the sting of her words, fell

bruises are Bentley's work?" Stella

was taken aback before realizing she meant

a soft one. He's been injured before, and you're fully able, yet