18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 588

The giant moths were huge, their wingspan almost the size of a hand. Their powdery scales flaked off and filled the air as they fluttered around.

These moths weren't afraid of people at all, even diving at Stella and her fearless dogs, Wolfheart and Doglungs. Despite their usual bravado, the pair backed away, their barks all bark and no bite.

Stella quickly shut the door, just as her siblings, Jasper and Rosie, emerged to see what the fuss was about. She rushed into Arcadia to check on her dogs. Their eyes were red and swollen, and they were sneezing and tearing up-definitely not a good sign.

The moths' powder was toxic.

Most moths have harmless powder that helps them retain moisture and reflect light. Some people might experience mild allergies, but for Wolfheart and Doglungs, the reaction was severe-bloodshot eyes and rapid allergic symptoms.

Given the moths' vibrant colors, Stella knew they were in trouble. In these apocalyptic times, anything could happen.

She tried to wash the dogs' paws and eyes, but before she could start, she began coughing and rubbing her own itchy eyes.

Stella quickly rinsed her eyes with saline solution, used eye drops, and took some antihistamines. Soon, Jasper and Rosie also started showing symptoms. With their medical knowledge, they jumped into action.

Worried about Daniel and Vanessa, Stella suited up in protective gear, an N95 mask, and a face shield after treating herself, Jasper, Rosie, and the dogs. She hurried next door, where moths were swarming everywhere.

Stella had been woken by her dogs, but Daniel and Vanessa were early risers and had already noticed the moth invasion. They were trying to fend off the moths with household tools, but it only seemed to attract more.

Stella grabbed an insecticide spray and went to town on the moths. It took nearly a whole bottle to drive them away, filling the air with the scent of chemicals.

The sight of moths everywhere made Vanessa's skin crawl. "Where did all these moths come from?" she asked, her face pale.

Stella ushered them inside, shut the windows, and set up an air purifier. "The moth powder is toxic. It can cause allergic reactions if inhaled or if it gets in your eyes..."

handed out saline, eye drops, and anti-inflammatory and antihistamine medications. Vanessa, being a head nurse, knew

clean clothes, start your desensitization treatment, and make sure to drink plenty of water," Stella advised, leaving them with protective gear and warning them to stay inside for

one.

out of nowhere, and their powder was causing discomfort quickly. People were coughing, wheezing, their skin

extra care, so Stella brought two oxygen canisters. After sanitizing their home and purifying the air, Jasper helped next door, while Rosie, worried

eased, and he coordinated with the base via walkie-talkie. Alarms blared across the base:

instructions: close all windows and doors, stay inside, wash eyes with clean

were

allergy persisted, her eyes bloodshot and swollen, her skin covered in rashes. Despite the discomfort, she managed. "Old

take precautions if you go back to the hospital," Daniel replied,

feeling well, come to the hospital immediately," Vanessa

Vanessa wouldn't hold out, gave

base was in chaos, with toxic moth powder causing coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, vomiting, and even bleeding eyes. Emerging from

the hospital, collapsing along the way,

"Help, help me..."

and fell, their blurred vision causing them to grasp wildly, latching onto anyone they could find. Some took advantage of the

in gas masks, came to maintain order, shuttling patients to hospitals

taking Wolfheart and Doglungs next door. "Stay with grandpa, don't leave for anything. If you

replied, "I'll be fine; I'm

and couldn't afford any accidents. He had already sent medical staff their way, but

a heart condition; indeed, this was a

the guesthouse," she decided, feeling somehow

for a moment, "Be