18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 433

The massive drone, after colliding with the underwater vessel, tore away from the ocean's whirlpool, bobbing up and down amid the thunderous waves, emitting a deafening wail that echoed through the air. The abyss on the ocean floor expanded wildly, as if eager to

swallow everything in its path.

...

With considerable effort, Stella managed to bring the full-speed submarine into the haven of Arcadia. Thank goodness it wasn't moving too fast; a speeding helicopter might have turned Arcadia into a pile of shrapnel. Of course, that was just her guess-Stella wouldn't risk testing it unless absolutely necessary.

Once the submarine was securely docked inside Arcadia, Jasper quickly reached out to steady Stella as she swayed with exhaustion. "Stella, you okay?"

"I'm fine," she insisted, slumping into a chair.

Jasper unwrapped a chocolate bar and popped it into her mouth. "Here, get some sugar in you." Feeling dizzy, Stella leaned her head on his shoulder. "Wonder if Iran got sucked into the vortex?" "Even if they didn't, they're in for a world of hurt."

Once they had both caught their breath, they hurried to check on Rosie and Cooper. "You guys okay?"

Stella couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt thinking about Iran's fate. Cooper was fine, wagging his tail non-stop. Rosie, however, felt a bit queasy and dizzy. After a thorough check, Stella was relieved to find no serious injuries.

Chasing Iran for an entire day and night had pushed them all to their limits, both mentally and physically. After securing the scattered items inside the submarine, Stella and Jasper laid out a feast on the dining table, inviting their furry companions to join them. In the grand scheme of things, a good meal trumped all.

Meatloaf, surf and turf, crab cakes, braised beef, and fresh veggies. The portions were generous, and the three humans and one dog ended up stuffed to the brim. After a short rest and a clean-up, it was time to sleep.

Resting her head on Jasper's arm, Stella thought deeply. "We should tell Rosie about Arcadia."

Rosie was smart, and Jasper had raised her well. She was so well-behaved she rarely asked questions. But that didn't mean she knew nothing. Growing up in an orphanage and surviving the calamities of two lifetimes had made Stella wary and distrustful. Without repeated life-and-death bonding, she found it hard to trust unconditionally. Rosie was practically raised by her, after all.

developed a strong bond. Stella was like a sister and a mother figure to her. Rosie, having survived nine years of disaster, didn't resent but

Rosie was not only smart

Jasper by surprise. "You

not that I don't trust Rosie," Stella explained, nestling closer. "It's the uncertainty of the future I worry about. But we can't predict tomorrow, and Rosie's smart enough to

future, they'd deal with

talk to her," Jasper said, holding her tight. "Stella, no matter what

Through thick and thin.

each other's arms, their bodies and hearts as close as could

submarine's hull. It was surprisingly resilient; despite the collision with Iran, there wasn't even a scratch. After spending some time outside, even

check on the systems while

the sight of The Garden's lush vegetation, the rows

"Remember how many times we survived on these supplies,

sipped her

to you," Jasper confessed. "This is Arcadia, a chance Stella got from the apocalypse. It's not compensation

tried to understand. "What

"Imagine a magic pouch that can store and retrieve things at will... A place to keep

time explaining Stella's Arcadia to

before the catastrophes. It was activated by the good fortune amassed by

you also amassed good fortune,

"Maybe it was the good deeds of my past

hand gently on her shoulder. "Arcadia belongs to Stella. She makes the rules. She shares it with us because she loves us. But no matter how close we are,

lifesaver in a pinch. It appeared unexpectedly and might vanish just as quickly. We can't afford to become complacent or greedy just because it shelters us. Our true strength will always come from within, not from external things." Rosie looked at the objects before her,

hair. "Do

Rosie answered without hesitation. "She's like

you might not be here. Will you respect and take care of her for the rest of