18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 386

Stella never thought she'd run into an old friend at the Kindle Society-a guy named Sam.

Sam pushed through the doors, clearly stunned to find not just one but two familiar faces in such an unexpected place. His surprise was evident, a bright smile spreading across his face. Stella raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You guys are here too?"

Sam's grin had a hint of sadness. "No, it's just me and a few of the guys from the old block."

Stella's curiosity piqued. "What about Mark and your dad?"

"Deputy Mayor Howard took the folks from Griffith over to Goldbridge. My dad and the rest are all there... It's just that we..."

Parents always want the best for their kids, to lay down the foundation for their future.

Christian didn't want to be a burden on his son, so he suggested that Sam head to the Kindle Society. It wasn't just him. Any young, able-bodied person from the Eastwood Eden community was encouraged to join the Society. Sam and his dad had been each other's rock for years, but with his father getting on in years and natural disasters wreaking havoc, who knew how much time they had left.

Sam disagreed with leaving, but Christian was adamant. If his son refused to go, he'd rather stay in Griffith and let the volcanic eruptions take him.

Torn between agony and duty, Sam eventually agreed to his father's wishes.

Stella, knowing Sam for years, expressed her concern. "You all made it out okay during the evacuation?"

The mention of the disaster brought back a flood of memories. It was a blessing in disguise, yet thinking about it still sent shivers down his spine.

The satellite collision with Mount Oak came out of nowhere, and the government's decision to evacuate was just as abrupt. Most residents were reluctant, so the evacuation was slow, and complications kept cropping up. They didn't start moving until around noon, and just as they'd made some distance, Mount Oak erupted. The evacuation convoy had to speed up desperately.

After a half-day's journey, as they were about to leave Swan Hill by evening, the volcanic ash had spread, and they could only press on while covering their noses and mouths.

Then, out of nowhere, a once-in-a-century sandstorm hit.

Thankfully, they were still within the city limits, so the buildings slowed the storm's impact. Everyone took shelter inside, avoiding what could have been a catastrophic loss of life.

the volcanic

spared from landslides, dodging three disasters in a

stopped,

others knelt to bid farewell to their elders, holding back

to settle for labor assignments within the base. Coming from Eastwood Eden, the young

today to buy an escape

honor their parents' hopes and sacrifices. Thinking of how

his father, to have the chance to

moved. "One day, you'll be

exchanging pleasantries, Sam hurried off to purchase the escape pod. Walking

puzzled.

around. "I feel like

"With the kind of credits we're talking about, it's

Stella said, unable to shake the odd feeling that this

more alert, though he

just

at their little homestead, Jasper got to work

a mid-sized sub, capable of withstanding storms at sea, complete with riveting capabilities, and several control screens. In the face of a

they wouldn't be separated in a major disaster, so Stella didn't hesitate. "Since we're learning, let's get Rosie and Cooper

Cooper barked in agreement.

and precautions, he gave an oral briefing to Stella, Rosie, and

dock, a place off-limits to civilians and

to make a reservation in advance, and the military would send someone to escort

early, had breakfast, packed some provisions, and

gate, after waiting for about ten minutes, a military jeep pulled up, and

it was the same soldier

with

"You're picking

soldier explained, "Actually, an instructor from the Navy's submarine division was supposed to come, but since you guys found all that rare metal, solving a crisis at the military factory, the brass