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.

was overwhelming: people crying, screaming, looting, the situation was utterly out of control. What to do? Oh God, show us a

clothes, eyes hollow, no food, and

it to Goldbridge, hundreds of miles away.

stood on a rooftop corroded by acid rain, her

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

he cried, "If you die, what about me, what about our

gone," she beat his chest,

pleaded through tears, "I promised your

want to go on, please

hurried by, some alone, some in groups, no one

was human instinct, even

go as far as they

same building, sticking together in hope of surviving the disasters. While the lower-class survivors relied on their feet, officials

cars could hardly move fast, and honking was out of

in their agitation, they were quick to violence. Blocking the way was the least of the problems; others threw stones at car windows. In more extreme cases, people

doors, they would stomp

another group

it on, it's just another

maintain order, it was futile; people had lost

a past life, so they purposely kept their distance

in their armored vehicle, they were

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

they took turns driving and

seat, Alice and their dog Cooper remained

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

along the way, a stark reflection of

targeting the wealthy; their Hummer had become

and desperate refugees, their vehicle was like a juicy steak, signaling with hands or glances, plotting to

trifled with, was clad in a bulletproof vest with a steel helmet secured. Lowering the window, she faced the man with a metal pipe approaching and without hesitation, pulled the

and

of whether to continue or

grenade at them, her smile cold