18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 349

The community garden was the pride and joy of everyone in the close-knit town. So when two satellites came crashing down, tearing through the tender crops, Collin and the others were beside themselves, mouths filled with bitter curses. Disaster struck without warning, leaving humanity powerless. Just in Griffith and Swan Hill alone, there were several satellite crashes, and who knew where else they had landed? It was as if the universe was conspiring to wipe out mankind. Stella saw how heartbroken Collin was but didn't know how to comfort him. "Coach," she started, "maybe... just maybe, this disaster will pass someday."

Together, they salvaged what they could from the wreckage of the greenhouse, desperately trying to save some of the medicinal herbs.

By the time they got back to the neighborhood, night had completely fallen.

Rosie, glancing up by chance, gasped and pointed, "Look, a shooting star!"

Stella looked up to see the streak of light glide through the night sky before vanishing into the darkness.

She remembered being a child, how thrilled she would be at the sight of a shooting star. Now, the joy was gone. Those weren't stars; they were satellites falling from orbit, each one a potential harbinger of doom.

Without any bomb shelters, the survivors had to dig their own basements or reinforce their homes. The random nature of these accidents was more terrifying than any predictable disaster-you never knew when the reaper would come for you. Stella visited the Porras family every few days to check on their wounds and remove stitches. Shane had been lucky; a gash on his forehead and a mild concussion, six stitches that were ready to come out.

Little Tommy's once bright and cute face now bore a jagged scar, his smile gone. "Grandma, where's Mommy?"

Aunt Linda of the Porras family tried to stay strong. "Mommy's gone to a faraway place, honey. She'll come back when you're grown up."

Illness and injuries had thrown the Porras family into chaos.

Bran managed to spare some medical supplies for Stella. "Sis, this is for you, your payment."

Stella was taken aback by his generosity. "This is too much."

It was indeed a lot, it felt like half of the Porras family's supplies.

"Keep it, sis. If it feels like too much, you can help out the Porras family when we're in need," Bran said with a weary smile. "Consider it stored with you. If another satellite hits, at least we won't be wiped out completely." Stella hesitated before agreeing. "Okay."

was hefty, and Bran had it delivered

by the quick

have been especially helpful, invite them over for a meal, but keep it low-key. It's important not to

that no individual or family was powerful enough to stand against nature's wrath. The bonds with

their immediate help, many Porras would have perished, making all the

his son. "You did okay this time, didn't waste a chopper and a hundred tons

pride, and Bran

dusk, Austin received a gift-a whole box

others received some rice and smoked meat, but his share was

as always, he immediately invited his neighbors. "Jasper, sister-in-law, Bran's treating us. Do you fancy hotpot

were indifferent. "Whatever you

slightly over the years, thanks to Rosie's occasional coaching and Monkey's frequent visits. They planned to cook themselves, bringing out their treasured liquor, but unsurprisingly, they failed miserably. In the end, they

fill, the toasts began. "Here's to you, sis, and brother-in-law, and to you,

were drinking non-stop, even chugging

the

noticed Bran was troubled but didn't advise him to

to earth, one moment they were

rats, scurrying for cover, always at risk of

pent-up frustration had taken their toll, and it was a miracle they

the drinking, his

his face. "Jasper, sister-in-law, do you think this disaster will ever

Jasper nor Stella could give a

downed a couple of shots. "Let's hope

falling? What's waiting for us then?" Austin followed suit, blowing into the bottle. "Or say, the day they stop,

depressing Stella. "Who cares what's next? We live while we can; if we can't,

than slowly eroded away by