18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 361

Stella made her way to the reception area, but the attendant was running around like a headless chicken, completely clueless about the person she was desperate to find.

"The disaster hit us like a ton of bricks. The tornado scattered debris everywhere, injuring many, and the downpour triggered landslides all over the place. We've got a whole mess of folks-five or six hundred-bunked down here. We can't keep track of everyone just yet. You can either go look for your person yourself or wait until we can catch a breath to help you."

Stella couldn't wait; she had to start searching through the sea of tents herself.

There were only so many military-grade tents to go around, and they were swarming with people. Forget getting some shut-eye; some folks were lucky if they even had a spot to stand.

Everyone was on edge, clutching their belongings tight, eyes darting around suspiciously.

You never knew who you could trust. There were already tales of folks getting their supplies swiped right from under their noses.

After all, in times like these, those supplies were as good as gold.

Stella peeked into one tent after another, each time meeting a wall of resistance and suspicion. Despite her raincoat, the seasoned eyes of survivors were sharp; a quick glance was all it took to size her up.

After checking out half a dozen tents, Stella realized she was being followed. She pretended not to notice, stubbornly continuing her search.

Soon enough, a voice piped up behind her. "Hey, miss, you looking for someone? I've been around here a couple of days; know the lay of the land pretty well. Maybe I can help you out."

Stella ignored them, and they kept yammering on at her side.

Finally, fed up, Stella whipped out a Swiss Army knife from her backpack and hissed, "Scram!"

Did they think she was blind? t was obvious they were just trying to lure her to some secluded spot to rob her-and who knows what else.

The blade gleamed ominously.

The woman, taking one look at Stella's menacing glare, choked on her words and backed off quickly, not wanting to test Stella's resolve.

looking for a missing piece of her world. Many survivors, hoping against hope to find their loved ones, had flocked to the

tents with no luck, anxiety gnawed at Stella as she

Why are you messing with my tent? Are you

few harsh words if it meant finding

after a brief explanation, while others had less patience, cursing her out thoroughly. But Stella didn't let it get to

every last shelter without a trace of news, she felt a complex storm of emotions

had made it

was about to collapse when a hand reached out to steady

dizzy, "Is everyone accounted for

stranger steadied her. "I'm here for the same reason. Check out the tents behind the staff area. There's a few more there for the critically injured from the landslides." Stella munched on a candy bar for energy and

were more tents

in shock; others are hanging by a thread. They all need their rest." Anyone not on death's door

in her throat, Stella

on. The lack of oxygen was the final straw. Even if they were dug out, there

the suffocating aura of despair, inspecting each face with

them, yet dreaded what

them. Relief mingled

leave, a new group of rescuers rushed in with stretchers. "Come on, come on, lend a hand here! These folks were buried

watched as the injured were carried in, her

"Hey, sis?"

called from behind

around in

caked in mud stood a short distance away,

fall, and Stella rushed to catch

Rosie managed a faint smile before passing

Stella called out, frantic, "Where's

a nearby empty tent, changed her muddy clothes, and cleaned her

with fever, her body marked with wounds

had she survived all this