18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 353

Alice and Tom weren't rushing to head out. They waited for about an hour, understanding that leaving too soon to gather supplies might mean running into familiar faces.

Alice gazed out the car window, a hint of sadness in her voice, "I want to say goodbye to Dylan."

Tom nodded, "Go ahead."

In their neighborhood, there were plenty of kids, but Alice was always selective with her friends. Over the years, she had grown particularly close to Dylan.

But sometimes, being close wasn't the best thing, especially in a world torn apart by disasters. Emotional ties could lead to heartache or even gut-wrenching pain when faced with separation or death. Alice handed Dylan a drawing, "Dylan, I'm leaving. This is for you."

Dylan looked stunned, handing her a rag doll in return, "Alice, when I grow up, I'll find you."

Alice paused, then smiled warmly, "I'd like that."

In no time, they were no longer kids. Alice was as tall as her Aunt Stella, and Dylan was nearly as tall as his dad.

In a peaceful world, they might still be considered youngsters, but in this harsh new reality, they were seen as adults.

Dylan knew there was a gap between him and Alice. He wasn't ready to join the Kindle Society yet, but he believed he would be one day.

As he turned to leave, he grabbed her hand, panic and resignation in his voice, "Alice, will you wait for me?"

Alice knew the Kindle Society might not be the best choice for her brother and sister-in-law, and the future was uncertain.

But looking into Dylan's hopeful eyes, she couldn't bring herself to be brutally honest, "Sure."

Striving for the Kindle Society was a good goal and wouldn't hurt him.

Dylan stood at the door, watching her walk away.

Austin put his arm around his son's shoulders, "Come on, stop looking. When you're strong enough, you'll catch up to her."

Dylan stared in the direction Alice had disappeared, silently vowing to himself.

people crying, screaming, looting, the situation was utterly out of control. What

no food, and shoes

it to Goldbridge, hundreds of miles away.

on a rooftop corroded by acid rain, her foot

back, as she screamed hysterically, "Leave me alone; I don't want to live,

"If you die, what about

is gone," she beat his chest, "All three of our kids are

husband pleaded through tears, "I promised your parents I'd

pointless, I don't want to go on, please just let me

by, some alone, some in groups, no one spared a

live; it was human instinct, even if they

miles; they'd go as far as

same building, sticking together in hope of surviving the disasters. While the lower-class survivors relied on their feet, officials transported essential goods and personnel using trucks, setting off first to

fast, and honking was out of the

left to lose, and in their agitation, they were quick to violence. Blocking the way was the least of the problems; others threw stones at car

didn't open the doors, they would stomp

out, and another group would rush to

on, it's just another

trying to maintain order, it was futile; people had lost the will to live, preferring a swift end to

past life, so they purposely kept their distance from the evacuation points and took back roads out

armored vehicle, they were careful not to let their

to escape; criminals were too, robbing as they fled, and you never knew when a grenade might

turns driving and keeping

their dog Cooper remained on

many survivors had formed impromptu caravans, trying to get ahead of the

along the

profitable as targeting the wealthy; their Hummer had become

a juicy steak,

bulletproof vest with a steel helmet secured. Lowering the window, she faced the man with

and he

unsure of whether to continue

grenade at them, her smile