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 his

chose to ignore it, allowing Tom

sigh of

her head, her expression

okay. He's probably just delayed

car to break down just outside the city. It took a while to fix, and

attempting to overturn it, all to force them out. Kitty, in desperation, floored the gas pedal, hoping to break

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

his ankle and sustained multiple injuries. Lukas suffered a concussion from a flying rock. Separated, they were lucky to keep their supplies and managed to survive. After the sandstorm abated, they sought each other out, despite their pain. They found each other

one of bitter hardship. But no matter the delays, they eventually reunited. Now, only Jasper and Cooper were unaccounted for. The camp had disbanded, but their search could

but couldn't share the harsh truth. Jasper's injuries were severe; he needed the best care, and traveling with the group would only worsen his

all hurt and

was baffled. "Stella, are you saying we're a

I let you go out there all battered and bruised, you might

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

to stand without feeling dizzy or nauseous. After days of hardship, every one of them was frail and couldn't afford more strain. Yet the thought of Stella

today.

was a luxury. Stella looked at her lifelong friends, her

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