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.

English muffins. After eating, they stepped out to loosen up their stiff muscles. Since the central administration office wasn't open yet, they took the opportunity to explore the area with

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, with a military precision

standards, not to mention the real

trickle back in, their vehicles rusted and battered, their tires flat as if they'd

as they

sticking to it this long, meant loving

nearby cities had been picked clean. The idea of finding anything of value was laughable-not even a scrap of metal to

hundreds of miles out brought back

about their future, but one thing was for sure-they'd never resort to a

Death before desk-jobs!

the central hall's

bother neighbors, and the apartment blocks were often home to scavengers or survivor families-a hotbed for

decisively opted for a detached

to enjoy some privacy and

rent of 50 pounds of food and

other words, Stella had to fork over 300 pounds

over 150 pounds the day before, coughing up another 300 would

mused, "Can I pay with some liquor or

but it depends on the

she couldn't give away