18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 373

Stella was fresh off the bus, lugging a duffle bag and wearing an expression that screamed "new in town." Her local guide, Mike, a seasoned guy who'd seen it all, took it upon himself to clue her in.

"Joining the military's no joke," he said, chewing on a toothpick as they strolled down the dusty roads. "You go through hell every day, but at least you get a solid meal and a roof over your head. And if Mother Nature throws a fit, the base has got your back." "Factory workers have it rough too," Mike continued. "They're busting their butts all day, but they get dorms. Not fancy, but better than being out in the sticks."

"Scavengers used to have a decent gig, sort of. Risky business, but if you got lucky, you could make a killing. One good haul could cover your bills for months. Those days are gone though. Now, going out is just a waste of time."

Outside the base, scavengers were reduced to fighting each other for scraps.

"They keep it civil on base," Mike said. "But outside, it's a free-for-all. Winner takes all."

"And some even raid mob hideouts. It's a jungle out there."

Mike noticed Stella and her friend seemed overwhelmed. "You might want to rethink this scavenger gig," he said. "It's no walk in the park."

Stella managed a wry smile. "We'd enlist in a heartbeat, but we've got a kid to think about."

Everyone's got their burdens, Mike figured, so he didn't push it further. It was their choice.

Back at the main hall, Stella laid out her bartering goods: four packs of stale cigarettes, five bottles of premium liquor, and six pounds of tea.

The real estate office wouldn't give her a price, directing her to the trading post to convert it into credits.

So they headed to the trading center, only to find out they needed an extra thirty pounds of food to cover half a year's rent.

Stella wasn't about to dip into her food stash, so she bartered more tea.

With paperwork done and keys in hand, she noticed there was still daylight left. She was curious about the submarines at the harbor, but Jasper, her friend, wasn't keen on the idea.

"Kindle Society has its own rules," he said, running a hand through his messy hair. "We're not dodging gangs here; it's the military we've got to be careful about. We just got here; it's not smart to go snooping around. We'll find another way to get the info." Stella trusted Jasper. He knew the ins and outs of the armed forces.

a modest two-story house with three bedrooms and a living room, about 800 square feet

Jasper was thorough, nearly tearing the walls down

packed tight, with barely fifteen feet between them. Speak too loudly, and the neighbors could

they were sure it was clear, they hung curtains for privacy. No need to

desk, a couch, all secondhand stuff

hours of setup, they finally

scarfed down a quick lunch and then retired to their rooms for some

"If only the disaster would end, and we could live a

a nineteen-year-old girl into a 28-year-old survivor, and Jasper was no longer the young guy he used to

even little

part; it was the constant struggle for survival that wore them down. When

"As long as we don't give up, maybe there'll come a day when it all

only

to come to her senses until

their trusty watchdog, on guard, they had allowed themselves the luxury

back the curtains to see

God, it was Cody, Lukas,

was overjoyed. "You made

had they made it, but

stash the

for a

visibly moved.

look for you guys later. Didn't expect you'd show up so soon." Relieved to hear

each other's stories, Stella learned that the group had been injured and had to recuperate for a month in a safe

Society, encountering refugees and highway robbers. But they were survivors, seasoned by years of living on the edge. They dealt with the threats and even snagged some supplies along the way. Once at Kindle Society, their priority was to locate Stella and Jasper, but

military assessment, and Angela's past scuffles, which had gotten her kicked out of her previous town, came

thought they'd be turned away, the military officials surprised them by offering

puzzled. "Since when does the military bend