18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 347

Stella made a special trip to the local herbal research institute, where Collin and others had been toiling away. Thankfully, the greenhouse they had labored over was still standing.

The greenhouse, constructed by official experts, had a clever design that withstood the relentless assault of acid rain, ensuring the medicinal herbs were well-protected.

Having not seen them for half a year, Stella, who highly regarded her mentors and friends, brought gifts for everyone: Dr. Garcia's favorite tea blend, Collin's preferred sweets, Hugh's brand of cigarettes, and some preserved bacon and aged rice. She was careful not to overdo the quantities, keeping everything within a reasonable limit.

Hugh seemed much more cheerful, and Stella wondered if he had finally moved past the shadow of Lindsay. But she held her tongue, not daring to ask.

However, Bran mentioned in passing that Lindsay might be expecting. Hopefully she wouldn't cause any more trouble.

Seeing everyone in relatively good spirits, Stella felt reassured enough to head back to Griffith.

The escalation of natural disasters was undeniable, but the authorities had taken the prophecies seriously and prepared extensively. Stella hoped that when the day of the tectonic collision came, they could lead more survivors to safety. People like Dr. Garcia and Collin were surely on the government's list of key individuals to protect, so Stella didn't need to worry about them.

With the end of the acid rain, many in the neighborhood were reinforcing their homes, hoping to make them sturdier against the next disaster.

Knock on wood, Stella thought, there wouldn't be a next time.

That evening, after a glass of wine, she fell into a deep sleep.

"Bang!" It felt as though the earth had been struck a mighty blow, shaking the bed beneath her.

Stella sat up abruptly, her ears ringing. What the hell? The acid rain had barely ended, and now a tectonic collision? But that wasn't supposed to happen for almost two more years!

Jasper awoke beside her, quickly turning on the light. The two exchanged a glance, then hurriedly got dressed.

the commotion, swiftly gearing

about to deploy the survival pod in the yard when Cooper started barking furiously at the mansion across the way, his urgency clear. Then he began scratching at the front door. Jasper perked up his ears, "It's Buddy barking." By

there was no sense

with binoculars, he remarked, "Looks like the Porras

had woken many of the homeowners, who were now peering out and turning on lights, especially those near the Porras mansion. In moments, shouts filled the air, "Hurry, help! The house has collapsed!" Collapsed? Stella was baffled;

came through, tinged

Stella asked calmly, "Where's Shane

half the house had just crumbled, and his father had fallen, hitting his head and bleeding everywhere. His cousin's family were still trapped

Move your dad to a safe spot, and don't shake

a false alarm; the earlier tremor wasn't tectonic-it was something that

Porras family and that they had helped her a great deal

Jasper warned, "Rosie, fasten your seatbelt and take care of Cooper. Don't come out no matter what happens. Stella and I will

any more time and hurried

grabbed surgical equipment and medications from Arcadia, stuffing them all into her

dropping in disbelief. Who on earth was audacious enough to target the Porras family? Could it have been a rocket attack? After the initial shock, they all

in chaos, with

on his head, blood gushing out, soaking Bran's clothes. Several kids, terrified, cried beside them

shout silenced even

equipment from the Porras family. After the years of calamities, it was a

that Bran was unexpectedly composed in a

to proceed, a woman in her thirties grabbed her arm. "My son's arm is dislocated.

said gently, "Please wait just a moment." A dislocation was painful, but not as urgent as an open

her eyes filled with impatience and displeasure. Bran's gaze swept over, lethal in its intensity. Feeling

entered the treatment room,