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.

looting, the situation was utterly out of control. What to do? Oh God,

hollow, no

put was a death sentence, let alone trying to make it to Goldbridge, hundreds of miles away.

by acid rain,

hysterically, "Leave me alone; I don't want

you die, what about

is gone," she beat his chest,

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

want to go on, please just

some in groups, no one spared a moment

still wanted to live; it was human instinct, even if

they'd go as far as

same village or the 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 secure

hardly move fast, and honking was out of the

of the problems; others threw stones at car windows. In more extreme cases, people climbed

you didn't open the doors, they

group would rush to hijack

it on, it's just

to maintain order, it was futile; people had

a past life, so they purposely kept their distance from the evacuation

their armored vehicle, they were careful

too, robbing as they fled, and you never knew when a grenade might come

they took turns driving and

back seat, Alice and their dog Cooper remained on

had formed impromptu caravans, trying to

the way, a stark reflection of

targeting the wealthy; their Hummer had become a

refugees, their vehicle was like a juicy steak, signaling with hands

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

headshot, and he dropped

unsure of whether

waved a grenade at them, her smile cold and