18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 246

Scrambling to escape was a luxury they couldn't afford. The place was exploding, like the Fourth of July fireworks.

The group behind the car witnessed the entire scene, their jaws dropping, before dispersing like a flock of startled birds.

The Hummer didn't stop. It drove straight ahead, stopping right before the spike strip. Ensuring that no one was watching, the two of them put on their bulletproof vests and helmets before stepping out of the car.

The spike strip, sturdy as it was, could make a decent trap back home. Not wanting to waste it, Stella and her companion hoisted it onto the roof of their car and secured it.

They continued to drive.

They encountered two more roadblocks, but the people were few and unarmed. Upon seeing the intimidating Hummer, they hesitated and didn't dare to surround them.

Mount Murray was about 30 kilometers away from Lincoln. They left the highway behind and slowly drove into the forest.

Along the way, they passed by ruins of old farmhouses, now devoid of any human presence.

The high and steep Mount Murray came into sight. They managed to drive the car to a flat and safe area at the foot of the mountain.

Not in any rush to get out, the group first had a meal in the car. After airing out the smell of food, they reclined their seats and went to sleep. They hadn't had a proper rest in the past few days, and they needed to recharge before climbing the mountain.

Despite the seemingly deserted mountain and their bulletproof car, Stella left a small gap in the window.

If there was any rustling, Cooper could detect it immediately.

They slept soundly for seven to eight hours. Upon waking, they stretched their limbs, recharged with some food, and then geared up for the climb.

Securing the car, the three of them, along with Cooper, set off for the mountain.

Cooper had a habit of taking the lead, but with Stella's stern warning, he stayed obediently by their side, strictly following the rule of not straying more than five steps away.

The same applied to Jasper. He would not allow Rosie to leave his sight.

The geological structure here was unlike that of Mount Greenwood, composed of countless rocks and soil. After the mega-earthquake, the safety index had plummeted.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Stella was taken aback by the sight in front of her.

The entrance to the mountain had been blocked by massive rocks and landslide debris.

"Be careful," Jasper warned.

The earthquake had occurred just over half a year ago. The structure was unstable and much more dangerous than it would be five years later. This was also why he didn't want Stella and the others to be here. In their quest for the life-saving medicine here in his past life, three of their teammates had lost their lives. Even if given another chance, the terrifying memory was deeply ingrained in his bones.

Truthfully, Stella was also somewhat worried. She didn't want to risk bringing Cooper and Rosie along, but what if they encountered villains when left alone?

Sure, they could handle a few, but what if a large group came?

Sigh, the worries of parenting.

After some thought, Stella left the choice to them, "The mountain is very dangerous. Do you want to find a safe place to hide and wait for us to come back?"

Upon hearing the word 'dangerous', Cooper decisively clung onto her trouser leg.

Rosie was determined, "I want to follow you guys."

Stella and Jasper exchanged glances, ultimately deciding to bring them along into the mountain.

They climbed over the rocks and carefully tread on the landslide debris, leaving a trail of footprints behind. The mountain path was destroyed in many places, and they could only walk where it was safe.

Back in Mount Murray, looking at the mountainous terrain and vegetation, Jasper's memory became increasingly clear. He led the way to where they had found the Dragonlily in his past life.

Afraid of getting separated or encountering danger, Stella came up with a good idea. She tied a rope around their wrists at a certain distance, securing the other end around the dog's neck. If they encountered danger, she could pull everyone into the Arcadia in an instant.

They waded through water and climbed mountains, stepping on soft ground which often collapsed under their weight, causing rocks to tumble.