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.

situation was utterly out of control. What to do? Oh

no food, and shoes with

it to Goldbridge, hundreds of miles

on a rooftop corroded by

man rushed to her, pulling her back, as she screamed hysterically, "Leave me

wife, he cried, "If you die, what about

she beat his chest,

husband pleaded through tears, "I promised your parents I'd take care of you all my

to go on, please

no

was human instinct, even if

miles; they'd go as far

short, and most people traveled in groups, from the same village or the same building, sticking together in hope of surviving the disasters. While the lower-class

hardly move fast, and honking was

of the problems; others threw stones at car windows. In more

open the doors, they would stomp on the

out, and another group would rush

on, it's

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

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

in their armored vehicle, they were careful not

people weren't the only ones trying to escape; criminals were too, robbing as they fled, and you never knew when

turns driving

Alice and their dog Cooper remained

had formed impromptu

robberies and brawls occurred along the way, a

the weak was never as profitable as targeting the wealthy; their Hummer had

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

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

and

crowd froze, unsure of whether to continue

at them, her smile cold