18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 367

Tom's punch landed hard, and the young boy's lip split, blood trickling down as his head spun in confusion and pain.

Facing his father's blazing eyes, he clutched his cheek, too terrified to say another word in his defense.

Tom took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself, before bowing deeply to the crowd. "Everyone, I'm truly sorry. It seems I've failed as a father, causing all this trouble. Please accept my deepest apologies."

The crowd's anger simmered, but they knew the fault lay with the spoiled brat, not the refugee camp that had saved so many lives, including theirs. The camp leader had always been at the forefront of rescue efforts, even braving the rain to offer comfort. He was a good man; it was just his son who had gone astray. After a moment's thought, and despite their grievances, no one wanted to escalate things further.

Stella wasn't looking for a fight, especially since the camp was filled with Tom's people. Picking a real fight would only put her at a disadvantage due to their numbers.

She turned to Rosie, "Did they hurt you?"

Rosie shook her head, "No."

Stella relented, "Alright, for the sake of my sister-in-law being unharmed, I'll let this slide. But if there's a next time, I won't be so forgiving."

Tom thanked her, then turned to his son and slapped him twice more. "You ungrateful brat, apologize now!"

Under his father's stern gaze, Hunter braced himself and muttered, "I'm sorry."

Stella responded coldly, "I can't hear you. Say it louder."

though

chose to ignore it, allowing

others breathed a sigh of relief

her head, her expression complicated.

Stella," Lukas consoled her. "Jasper's tough; he'll be okay. He's probably just

their car to break down just outside the

pours; halfway through their journey, they were accosted by a group of desperate refugees blocking the road. The entire village had banded together for safety and surrounded their car, throwing stones and attempting to overturn it, all to force them

the car, scrambled inside to seek shelter from the storm. The vehicle was flipped, and

the sandstorm abated, they sought each other out, despite their pain. They found each other first, but then torrential rain brought mudslides, and they were trapped by a river, eventually straying further

But no matter the delays, they eventually reunited. Now, only Jasper and Cooper were unaccounted for. The camp had disbanded, but their search could continue. They were determined to find Jasper and Cooper. Despite his injured ankle, Cody was resolute. "Yeah, together we're stronger. We'll split up and cover more ground. We'll

moved by their solidarity but couldn't share the harsh truth. Jasper's injuries were severe; he needed the

them. "You're all hurt and should

are you saying we're a

a bone injury.' If I let you go out there all battered and bruised, you might end up in worse shape than when we started." Angela insisted, "Friends don't keep score. Besides, you and Jasper

searching for days and heard a rumor that survivors saw someone resembling Jasper heading west. I'm not sure if it's true or why he'd go that way, but I want to take Rosie and see if we can find him and Cooper. Luckily, I found a bike on the road. I'll ride with Rosie to

of them was frail and couldn't afford more strain. Yet the thought of Stella scouring the earth for Jasper while they could offer

and protected her again today. That's more than enough

reuniting after a separation was a

hearts heavy, they embraced her in farewell. "Stella, whether or not we meet again,