18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 558

Four folks dug with gusto, their energy relentless, their efforts sincere. That Kindle Chest, though, was a behemoth, a time-consuming beast to unearth. But Stella, oh Stella, she played her cards with a cheater's grace in the parched wasteland. The loose soil, temporarily stashed in Arcadia, boosted our efficiency by leaps and bounds.

Joy came too soon. Not far beneath the surface, a stubborn layer of rock dared to show its face. The Chest was wedged tight between rocks, immovable stones pressing down like an unyielding weight. Stella switched gears, grabbed four steel rods sharp as stakes, perfect for prying rocks. All it took was loosening and hauling them away, but oh, did it chew through our time.

The day waned, and not even a third was done; we were spent, like kids after a day at an amusement park. No choice but to pitch tents come nightfall. Stella and Jasper took the first watch, Cole and Jake the latter. A tranquil night passed, and sleep claimed the weary pair swiftly. Then, in the dead of night, a soft tapping on the tent startled Jasper awake.

Cole, voice hushed, warned, "We've got company." Stella flipped on night-vision goggles and didn't forget to pass pairs to Cole and Jake. In the pitch-black night, shadows crept closer, a group armed with more than just their fists. We signaled silently, left the tent standing, Stella and Jasper backed against the Kindle Chest, while Cole and Jake circled wide. Stella tossed a mini recorder into the tent, and the sound of snores filled the air.

The shadows drew near, circling the tent with intent. As the tent was flung aside and frenzied stabs filled the air, a cacophony of curses followed. Ah, not our kin. Stella, assured, let the machine gun rip. Screams shattered the silence. Some shadows turned to flee, but gunfire echoed behind them. Stella, with ample bullets and night-vision advantage, fired until the last shadow fell.

after half an hour ventured out. The tent was Swiss cheese, the ground littered with the fallen. Dark, red, and pale skins mingled-a macabre melting pot. A few, not fatally wounded, clung to life. Stella, ever the merciful, ensured their swift departure with a final act

ruckus robbed us of sleep, so with one on lookout, the digging resumed. But with twenty-some lives ended, who knew if a larger force lurked? This place was no longer safe; our work took on urgency. As rocks loosened, Stella spirited them into Arcadia. By dawn, we were drenched in sweat and gasping like beasts of burden. Stella broke out rolls and porridge, and we sat on the ground to eat. To her, it was a breakfast as ordinary as they come, but for Cole and Jake, the milk- scented

baked by the sun, they rushed at us, babbling and brandishing clubs. At least two hundred strong, and among them, a handful clutched firearms. Whether they were loaded

waste precious, non- renewable bullets. The excavation was halfway done; another half-day might free the Chest. Damn it

The wild folk closed in. Stella clenched her teeth and, with a herculean effort, the Kindle Chest vanished. Overexerted, she stumbled, nearly falling. Jasper caught her. Jake sprinted to the chopper, "Move!" Together, they helped Stella to the helicopter. The wild folk, recognizing the chopper, chased with renewed frenzy, even firing as they ran. Just

leading wild man leapt, clinging

the landing gear, dang

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