18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 358

mouths without a thought for the days before the dust storms.

A ragged group shuffled into a side room, each clutching a half cup of water and a chunk of dense, dark rye bread. Starved and parched, their eyes lit up at the sight of food. They lunged like ravenous ghouls, gulping down the water and cramming the stale bread into their They ate in a frenzy, choking and coughing as they forced the dry food down their throats.

Rosie was still out cold, and someone eyed the untouched portion of food on the table with greedy intent.

The woman tending to Rosie shoved the intruder away. "We're all women here; no need to act like animals."

The pushed-away woman muttered, "She ain't your daughter. For all we know, you might not even make it through the night."

The caretaker's eyes turned icy. "Believe me, I'll cut you down if I have to."

deadly seriousness in her gaze and

rations, they regained some strength. Panic set in as one whispered,

carefully fed Rosie water and crumbled

yourselves up. Do a good job later, and there'll be plenty of food and drink for you," he sneered before

scooped it to their lips

face, thanked the woman who had cared for

clean, they were given second-hand clothes - worn and

they drew the men's hungry and lascivious gazes. Rosie, particularly frail, staggered dangerously close to them, her vulnerability eliciting a rare moment of

the rasp in her voice, stirring

darkness, many survivors had developed acute hearing. She could discern the wind outside, suggesting the

several men sat around a table laden with food that reminded them of

These men wore human skins but exuded