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."

and Bran had it

been saved by the

a token of thanks. For those who have been especially helpful, invite them over for a meal, but

or family was powerful enough to stand against nature's wrath. The bonds

their immediate help, many Porras would have perished, making all the efforts to maintain good relations

"You did okay this time, didn't waste a chopper and a

his pride,

received a gift-a whole box of fresh meat,

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

invited his neighbors. "Jasper, sister-in-law, Bran's treating us. Do you

were indifferent. "Whatever

cook themselves, bringing out their treasured liquor, but unsurprisingly, they failed miserably. In the end, they settled for a hotpot, with Stella providing the base

eaten their fill, the toasts began. "Here's to you, sis, and brother-in-law, and to you, Old Qin. We wouldn't have made it without you... it's

drinking non-stop, even chugging

this was the hard stuff,

Bran was troubled but

moment they were eating

rats, scurrying for cover, always at risk of being squashed by

their toll, and it was a miracle they

joined in the drinking, his speech

face. "Jasper, sister-in-law, do you think this

nor Stella could give a definitive answer;

"Let's hope for a

be, when the satellites stop falling? What's waiting for us then?" Austin followed suit, blowing into the

We live

rather than slowly eroded away by acid rain or paralyzed like Bentley,