18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 369

Hunter's eyes widened as realization hit him. Panic seized his voice as he blurted out, "Was it you who hit me last night?"

"Yep." Rosie's voice was soft, but there was a sharp edge to it. "I spared your life last night, but you just had to push your luck. It's really irritating."

"It wasn't on purpose, I swear! I didn't know it was you. Please, give me another chance."

Shaking her head, Rosie refused, "I already gave you a chance, but you blew it."

Despite Hunter's usual bravado, he knew when to grovel. He started sweet-talking urgently, "My dad's a big shot in Raven Port, and he's helped a lot of people during the disaster relief. You guys benefited from that help too. He's only got me as a son. Can't you spare me for his sake?" Rosie had her own principles. "Hmm, your dad's a good man, which is why I spared you. Last night, I didn't take your life, but you still had the nerve to try and take ours."

She smiled at him, her voice cold as ice, "Besides, your dad is your dad, and you are you. They're not the same."

Hunter felt a chill run down his spine. "I'm sorry, I really am. Rosie, please, have a heart and let me go."

"I don't like letting things go; they tend to leave a stench," Rosie replied, unimpressed.

Her eyes slowly filled with a deadly resolve, and Hunter knew she meant business. He scrambled desperately on the ground, crying out in despair, "Dad, save me, please save me!" But in the desolate miles around them, his screams were futile.

Rosie watched him crawl, waiting until despair consumed him completely before raising her gun...

It was her brother's lesson all over again a clean headshot.

This was Rosie's battle, her need for catharsis. Stella approached and

took a deep breath and

body there, disposing of it and erasing their tracks. For safety, they moved

medicinal pastes. She was grateful for the years of dedication and the skills she'd learned from Dr. Garcia and Collin.

One natural disaster after another struck without giving them a moment's respite. She hoped they could all

over every few hours, and he expressed his guilt, "Stella, I'm putting you through so

But having survived life-and-death situations and still being able to

the one taking care of

hand, "You're great. What tolerance are

her life. Living was important, but living with quality

wonderful," Jasper kissed her

and as they playfully bantered, she didn't forget

was bouncing back quickly, while Jasper was still bedridden. Stella devoted herself to Jasper's care, while Rosie and Cooper handled patrols and security. Under her attentive care, Jasper's back was healing, and he could now bear the pain to take a few steps. Gazing out at the sunlight beyond the RV, he

asked as she brought over a bowl of soybean and pigtail soup,

honest, "I'm wondering if

days of unconsciousness, he had countless dreams, some as sweet as the present moment, but he would wake up in a dark cave. Stella understood his uncertainty. When she first came back to life, she was haunted by nightmares, constantly

leaned forward and bit his shoulder hard. Jasper yelped in pain. Satisfied, Stella smiled,

sipped the warm soup, a slight smile

"Was I not good

were, but now you're

you still think I'm