18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 275

There was still a distance between the two new towns, and the transition zone was pretty chaotic with a lot of risks coming and going.

Knowing Stella's prowess, Collin didn't refuse.

Swan Hill Medical Research Institute was significantly larger compared to Griffith's temporary outpost. The Hummer parked outside just in time to see someone walking out with a medicinal plant, indicating that their cooperative cultivation model was doing well.

"Stella, if you guys hadn't shown us the way, we would have never thought of this brilliant method." Collin was pleased, "I spend most of my time here, if you ever need anything, feel free to come directly."

"Thank you, Dr. Collin, I'll be bothering you more often, I hope you won't find me annoying then."

Collin wasn't bothered, in fact, he hoped for more people like Stella. Cultivating a skilled herbal medicine expert was extremely difficult. The sudden apocalypse had claimed many doctors, and a talent gap was the most terrifying thing.

He pulled out a weathered book from his bag, "This is a book my mentor gave me years ago, and it's been out of print for decades. It records the difficult diseases encountered by traditional medicine over thousands of years and their solutions, now, I'm lending it to you for your study, remember to keep it safe."

The thick book, worn and yellowed from use, showed its value. Stella was pleasantly surprised, "Thank you, Dr. Collin."

Collin's mentor must be the old professor who developed the treatment for smog-induced lung and liver infections. She hoped one day she could meet him.

Waving goodbye, Stella drove back to Griffith. Just as she reached the Griffith boundary, a figure darted out from the roadside.

Unable to stop in time, she hit the figure, sending it flying. It lay motionless. Was this what the apocalypse had come to, people running into cars for compensation?

Stella, her head slightly dazed from the impact, didn't get out to check but took out her gun, wary of her surroundings.

Not far away, another figure sprinted over, agile and swift, an arm sporting a security patrol badge, and a baton in hand.

Looking at the man lying in a pool of blood, he was taken aback before crouching down to check. The man was barely breathing, beyond saving.

Taking the cloth bag clutched in the man's hand, he dragged the body to the roadside, then gestured for Stella to get out of the car.

Stella looked at the man outside the car window, her blood rushing to her head. Their gazes met, both taken aback.

Stella got out of the car, the man first showed joy, then complexity, and then rushed over in excitement to hug her, "Stella."

She hadn't expected to meet Lukas under these circumstances. In fact, she'd almost not recognized him.

Two years apart, Lukas seemed like a different person. His once smooth and delicate skin was gone, replaced by rough, dark complexion, even a scar on his cheek. Once feminine-looking, he had been turned into a rugged man.

In contrast, Stella had hardly changed. She looked even more beautiful, her clean-cut charm now accompanied by a touch of brilliance and allure.

The two, who started from the same place, were now worlds apart.

"Why are you here?" Stella asked, immersed in the joy of reunion, "Jasper and I went to Mount Murray a few months ago and even went to the military base to look for you guys, but they said there were no records of you, we thought you guys went to the military base in Jia City."

Mentioning the past, Lukas managed a small smile, "After reaching Lincoln, we went to the official base."

It wasn't safe to talk on the roadside, so Stella pulled Lukas into the car, "How are Cody and Angela? Was the official base not good? Why did you guys come back to Griffith?"