18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 354

dozens of meters into the air, continuously feeding the dark smoke above.

Black smoke billowed into the sky, rapidly ascending and spreading. Following the dark spectacle, plumes of ash-gray fog erupted, soon accompanied by flickering tongues of black and red flames. The flames shot from the mountaintop like a colossal blowtorch, reaching Molten lava spewed in all directions, splattering like grotesque fireworks. The blaze, the thick smoke, the flowing magma-they all expanded uncontrollably, like a hellish demon freed after eons, its ghastly visage unfurling claws and teeth, lunging at the insignificant humans below. Indeed, the volcano had erupted.

For a moment, everyone was paralyzed with shock.

"Move it!" Jasper's voice cut through the chaos, low and urgent.

Stella snapped out of her trance, quickly ushering Rosie and Cooper into the car, reminding them to buckle up. The streets were in turmoil as people frantically scrambled for their vehicles. In their haste, accidents happened-one car after another collided, creating a new tragedy.

them clear of the wreckage, safely and swiftly driving forward. Stella glanced back to see the volcanic ash staining

the air felt scorching and oppressive, distant objects warping and trembling. The tremors, even at this distance, bore witness to the severity

ash cloud. Out of the corner of her eye, Stella noticed helicopters in the sky- more than one. Whether private or government, she couldn't tell. Air, land, and sea resources were likely being deployed, everyone pulling out

full attention. They pulled over for a break, to relieve themselves and stretch. Tensions were high; Stella observed a group nearby

out her binoculars and searched for signs of Griffith. Odd, the ash seemed to

by panicked shouts. Stella turned to look and her pupils dilated in horror. A massive dust storm, swirling with sand, soil, pebbles, and dead branches, was devouring the landscape, barreling straight toward them. A dust storm, here

recent years had seen a spate of natural disasters that left rivers dry and forests dead, causing extensive soil erosion, it was unthinkable for a dust storm to rise here. But there was no time for contemplation as the gale hit with a

the evacuation saw the dust storm first and screamed in terror as they tried to turn their vehicles around. But as hands reached for the steering wheel, others, mistaking the brake

"take cover!" She saw him running toward the Hummer, but the storm was upon them in a blink. Instinctively, he dove to shield her. The harsh sand grated against her face, mingled with pebbles

sickening force. With the sensation of broken bones, Stella bit her lip and held on desperately, even as the tempest tossed her

to see, she reached out blindly, finding someone in the passenger seat a weight that eased her panic. She quickly climbed into the Arcadia. When the storm's fury