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.

intentions and attempted to rob her, Stella delivered swift justice

fell, she stumbled upon a makeshift cave. Inside, a woman sat motionless, blood crusted at the corners of her mouth, beside a body with its thigh bone grotesquely exposed. Without approaching, Stella took aim with her

weren't Jasper's,

After a moment's thought, Stella released

scream; she

and the possibility that Jasper might have been

Rosie volunteering, helping to welcome and settle

lit up, but dimmed again

handing Stella a thermos of hot water.

couldn't hold back her worry.

"None," Rosie replied.

was Rosie's way of seeking news about her brother and Cooper, hoping

"Angela woke up around noon and went out to look for others. It's late, and she hasn't returned yet. Aki woke up this

hillside, a journey that took over an hour in the dark. Once assured of privacy, Stella took fireworks out of her pack, set them up, and lit them with a

shot up, bursting into a brilliant display against

second New Year's she'd known Jasper,

were a couple, celebrating with Rosie and Cooper, looking to bring some festivity to the

over,

could see the fireworks, he might find his way back

too bright against the darkness, and Stella didn't dare continue. She threw the remaining fireworks back into her pack and slipped away into the

camp, everyone was talking

fireworks,

got the guts to set

was that really

just reached her tent when Angela

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

awoke, touched that Stella had been the one

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

happened to Rosie, Jasper

discomfort from the past, Kitty expressed her gratitude, "I'm no saint,

found herself indebted