18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 372

The Kindle Collective's organization and governance made the local authorities look like amateurs playing at city planning. Maybe this stark difference was what set the provinces apart from the nation's capital. After a long day of intense focus, the trio and their dog were beat. Stella pondered aloud, "Should we crash at a motel or just bunk in the van?"

Jasper, ever the vigilant one, suggested, "Let's rough it in the van tonight. No need to splash out on a motel."

Being newcomers, they weren't entirely sure if the base was as secure as advertised. Moving their stuff in and out of the van might draw unwanted attention, but leaving it unattended seemed like an invitation to thieves. Stella had no objections. A night in the van was fine by her.

They settled in, closed the doors, and Jasper dug out some hearty meatloaf meals from their backpacks-leftovers they'd packed from their last stop in Arcadia. The rice was fragrant, the meat tender and savory. After the meal, they washed it down with some fruit juice to cut through the grease, chatted about this and that, then reclined their seats to sleep.

Their SUV was spacious enough that lying down to sleep wasn't too cramped.

Even in the safe confines of the base, they were out like lights due to their exhaustion. Only Cooper, the dog, remained alert, occasionally opening one eye to check the surroundings before dozing off again. They were roused at the crack of dawn by the stirring sound of bugles-the military's morning drill.

Stella checked her watch with heavy eyelids-it was only 4 AM.

Still dark out.

She turned over and went back to sleep.

Jasper was more alert. He covered Stella and Rosie with blankets before stepping out to stretch his legs.

Stella woke up around 6 AM to find Jasper had already been for a run and back.

muscles. Since the central administration office wasn't open yet, they took the opportunity to explore the area with Cooper

brought binoculars. In the distance, neat rows of survivor dormitories stood tall-twelve stories each, a stark contrast to the chaotic construction seen in other settlements. Clothes weren't strewn about everywhere here. Everything was orderly, uniform,

ordinary survivors had such standards, not

their vehicles rusted and battered, their tires flat as if they'd fall apart

they carried it off to the trade

especially sticking to it this long,

this post-apocalyptic world, the nearby cities had been picked clean. The idea of finding anything of value was laughable-not even a

hundreds of miles out

but one thing was

Death before desk-jobs!

rolled around, Stella headed to the central hall's housing department to

unlikely. The smell from cooking could bother neighbors, and the apartment blocks

she decisively opted for a detached

to enjoy some privacy and comfort while they could,

of 50 pounds of food and a minimum lease of six

had to

150 pounds the day before, coughing up

I pay with some liquor or tobacco

but it

was top-notch, of course, but she couldn't give away the