18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 363

Seeing her stay silent, the young man grew even more arrogant. "Hey, sis, wanna hop on board for some fun? I've got food and drinks here," he boasted, shaking the beer can in his hand like it was a prize. Stella acted as if he were invisible and kept walking.

Irritated by her indifference, the young man bristled with indignation. Women always clamored for his attention, and now that he made the first move, she snubbed him.

"Sir, maybe this isn't a good idea?" his lackey interjected with a sigh. "We snuck out, and getting caught wouldn't end well. We've already had a tour; maybe we should head back?"

"Dock the boat-I'm going to set her straight today!" the young master barked.

Reluctantly, the lackey steered the boat closer to the shore.

"Right now, immediately!" the young master demanded.

With no other option, the lackey moved to the nearest landing spot.

As the young man prepared to disembark, the inflatable boat wobbled unexpectedly, punctured by something sharp hidden beneath the murky waters. He stumbled, nearly falling overboard. "Damn it, we're leaking air!" the lackey exclaimed.

The rapid escape of air from the compromised vessel was alarming, especially since the young man couldn't swim, and the water was filthy, strewn with debris-and worse.

Despite his usual bravado, he was quick-witted in a pinch. He grabbed a rope from the boat and threw it toward the shore, "Miss, do me a solid and pull me in, will you?" The rope landed near Stella's feet.

Without a word, Stella kicked the coarse hemp back into the river.

Desperate, the young man pleaded, "Look, I'm sorry for before. My dad's the head honcho at Raven Port, and I'm here on a relief mission. Please, help me out-the boat's supplies are yours if you want them." Stella didn't respond, just kept walking.

Even in a relief effort, his arrogance shone through. Why save someone who'd squander the resources? He'd probably revert to his old ways once out of danger.

The deflating boat spun helplessly, drifting farther and farther away.

The young man's pleas turned to anger, and then to a stream of expletives as despair set in.

Stella trekked through the rough terrain, encountering several stranded survivors.

To the kind-hearted, she gave directions to a nearby refugee camp.

and attempted to rob her,

corners of her mouth, beside a body with its thigh bone grotesquely exposed. Without approaching, Stella took

on the corpse weren't Jasper's, but

body was a stranger. After a moment's thought, Stella released the

didn't scream; she

back at the camp, and the possibility that Jasper might

helping to welcome and settle the

eyes lit up, but dimmed

Stella a thermos of hot water. "Drink some

back her worry. "Any

"None," Rosie replied.

seeking news about her brother and Cooper, hoping against hope with each arrival,

to look for others. It's late, and she hasn't returned yet. Aki woke up this evening with a fever; I've given her medication." Stella rested briefly at the entrance before sending Rosie back

that took over an hour in the dark. Once assured of

into a brilliant

the second New Year's she'd known Jasper, bought from someone nicknamed

were a couple, celebrating with Rosie and Cooper,

had plenty left over, stored

fireworks, he might find his way

continue. She threw the remaining fireworks back

everyone was

fireworks, am I

guts to set off fireworks in these

really fireworks? So

had just reached her tent when Angela returned

a knowing, bittersweet smile. Only those who've lost their most cherished can understand

had been the one to administer

truly been saved was debatable, but Stella was genuinely grateful for Kitty's help in the

happened to Rosie, Jasper would never

no saint, but I do repay my debts.

found herself indebted