18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 576

Good news-Reagan had finally come around.

But he was as weak as a newborn calf, barely able to say a word.

Emily was right there, fussing over him like a mother hen. "Stella, I can't thank you enough for the medicine."

"Just doing what I can," Stella said, handing over a steaming bowl of chicken soup. "Uncle Hugh's as weak as a leaf, and porridge won't cut it. Luckily, the farm's chickens were ready for the coop, so I cooked one up especially."

Emily knew too well that porridge was about as nourishing as a wet paper towel compared to a hearty potato stew.

The aroma of the soup was tantalizing. Even someone of Reagan's stature hadn't had a taste in years.

Knowing her husband needed strength, Emily didn't hesitate. She figured she'd return the favor with a gift once her husband was on the mend.

Carefully, she spoon-fed him.

After a few comforting words, Stella got to her feet, suggesting Emily should drop by the farm whenever she could to pick up some chickens and help Uncle Hugh regain his strength.

Exiting the intensive care unit, the pair carried another bowl of chicken soup toward the monitoring room.

Nicholas was gone. Mrs. Shaw was there, a symphony of sobs escaping her as she kept vigil by her son's side.

After receiving medicine, Nicholas had woken up the night before, but he was in a

bad way.

He wasn't out of the woods yet, and from all the tests, it seemed the fever had triggered meningitis.

Even before the calamity, meningitis was a notorious killer, and without antibiotics, the survival rate was abysmal.

Nicholas had brain damage, his hearing gone, and he kept vomiting.

even with antibiotics to stave off the worst, life could be a living hell, not to

short, they had to

The meds were the same. Why is

very picture of calm, replied, "Please, Mrs. Shaw, every patient is

it. "You must have botched it, swapped

"The prescriptions were identical. Nicholas was present when they were administered. As for the traditional remedies, they were duplicated,

been meticulous, especially with Nicholas, a man known for being

still, they faced

life hanging by a thread,

What are you waiting for?

had just stepped into the doorway, kicked the door open, her

met Stella, was about to scold this brash intruder in the monitoring room when it dawned on her

pale as a

with fine fabric and a healthy glow, it was

the hospital, and

after all, was the daughter

off cold, "Mrs. Shaw, you can mess

Space for explanations,

Stella left no space

doctor. It was Nicholas

the port until I gave Out of respect for his service to the country and his relationship with my father, I came straight

people oversaw the process, and the hospital vetted the medicine. And now you dare claim it was tampered

nation's top physician stood here, he wouldn't dare guarantee a cure for your

the ground. The clay floor held,

Stella and took

attending to her

had come hurrying over. She didn't give him the time of day

Across the street at the police station,

torn, her body

didn't take