18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 529

It was like a kid's first adventure, a rite of passage into the wild world of the Griffith compound. The crack of a gunshot was a harsh wake-up call that could send the sentries into a frenzy. Despite their grumbling, no one dared to make a move.

The Griffith base was infamous for its heavy-handed justice. Even on the outskirts, any misstep could lead to banishment or worse-a noose. At first, many scoffed at the warnings, only to end up horrified as the bodies piled up.

The irony was that you had to play by their rules without question, even though you weren't in their home. It was like being a guest forced to follow house rules without ever having been invited.

Still, the promise of safety drew many, especially those who were alone and vulnerable. As long as Griffith's troops were in charge, there was at least a semblance of security.

Despite the distance, Jasper had a gut feeling. "We're being watched."

Stella felt it too. "Must be the patrol from the lookout tower."

They acted as if nothing was wrong, continuing their trek towards the gates of Griffith.

At the entrance stood a massive rock, carved with the word "Griffith" in bold, sweeping strokes that danced like dragons and snakes—a testament to the artisan's skill.

Stella stood before the stone, her eyes welling up with tears. It reminded her of a similar stone that once marked the entrance to Griffith Park in her beloved city, which had succumbed to disaster. In a moment of nostalgia, it felt as though her city had risen from the ashes.

Memories flooded her mind as she stood there for several minutes, trying to compose herself.

As twilight fell, she surveyed the city before her. It rose from the wasteland, its gates built of stone and fortified with an electric fence, all held together by earthen walls.

Judging by its construction, it couldn't have been more than half a year old.

A faint light glowed to the right of the gate, barely illuminating a sign that read "Australia Survivor Reception."

The three of them walked towards it, embraced by the night.

Inside, a uniformed officer greeted them, "Welcome to Griffith."

Stella got straight to the point. "Hello, we've come from afar and would like to enter Griffith. What are the requirements?"

"Are you looking to stay temporarily or to become residents?"

Stella pondered briefly. "What's the difference?"

"Different screening criteria," the officer explained. "Temporary residents need to provide half a pound of provisions per person per day and can't stay longer than five days. No dangerous weapons are allowed within the city walls.

Residents, on the other hand, just need to pass an interview. They don't need to give up any provisions and will be allotted land, but any dangerous weapons must be surrendered."

Stella still had a sour taste from the thorough checks back at South Base, where they didn't even leave you with your underwear. She disliked the feeling of being so oppressed.

with temporary residence. If we want to stay, can

to go through the

process, Stella signed up

reception. The officer kindly advised, "Remember, you need to answer truthfully. If we find any

more like an interrogation than

frowned but thanked

only one interview room, and

knocking politely

in military garb,

scholarly and approachable than stern or

with a smile.

years of disaster, who carried identification anymore? Stella was tempted to make something up, but his easygoing nature reminded her of

His friendliness was a facade to

many Australian survivors

Stella replied truthfully, "Stella."

flickered with surprise, but he quickly regained his

asked with an air of casual

Stella answered honestly.

out of the blue, he

"And more

"Why?"

had no choice but to defend myself if I didn't

shifted gears. "You're in much better shape than 99.9% of survivors. How have you

"We used to

stay at South Base,

plenty of food. When the land sank, we drifted in

dour

dur sub hit a reef.

truth with

we found new land to live on. Eventually, we grew tired and

challenging her story. "What's in those big bags you carried

would lie to a military psychologist. "There's a dog we've been raising, and in the Arctic, we met a

further questions, the interviewer sent Stella out to

been inside for nearly

out, she briefly briefed

back out in less than five

stampede of frustration. They were clearly

enough, the results were in. They were granted entry, but