18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 29

It wasn't until Stella started loading the cases of bourbon that she realized that the antiques and the antique rack she'd collected the night before were nowhere to be found. She searched high and low, but they were definitely gone.

The bourbon, diving gear, watches, and safes were all accounted for; only the antique paintings and the rack were missing.

Could it be that these ancient artifacts possessed some sort of spiritual quality that triggered the expansion of Arcadia? It was plausible, considering the amulet she wore was of the finest quality.

But the antique rack was not of this nature, so why did they disappear too?

As Stella pondered over the secret to Arcadia's expansion, Cody knocked on the door.

Perhaps the hunger he'd experienced during the hurricane had left a lasting imprint on him, as he now seemed to have a heightened sense of urgency about their food supplies. Their rations were quickly depleting with three people to feed.

Waking up to find the water level had risen again, he was more convinced than ever that the end of the world was upon them. “Yesterday we only searched my office building. There are two more nearby. Why don't we get to them before anyone else does?" Cody proposed.

At first, Stella planned to fill up the apartment and Arcadia and then lay low. But with an extra 150 cubic feet of space, she was suddenly interested again. They had enough food, but surviving the apocalypse required more than just sustenance.

Being wealthy could be a curse. Perhaps having plenty of food could make them a bigger target.

Items like the samurai sword and golf clubs they'd found yesterday could’ve been invaluable in defending themselves against dangerous intruders. If they ever ended up in the water, diving equipment could potentially save their lives. Moreover, if they could find more spiritually charged items, perhaps Arcadia could expand even further?

With these thoughts in mind, Stella enthusiastically agreed.

So, Cody went to knock on the door of apartment 1801. Jasper had no objections, and everyone quickly packed up their belongings and set off.

Despite their discretion, they still attracted attention. The looks from others were meaningful.

It seemed like despite their precautions, they had been discovered the night before. But what did it matter? They had earned their supplies with their own efforts.

The city's water flow was stable, and to remain inconspicuous and conserve fuel, they chose to row away rather than start the motor. However, they were still being watched.

As they were leaving their apartment complex, a thick rope suddenly emerged from the murky floodwater. Jasper reacted quickly, using his oar to block the rope, saving them from being tripped up. If they had started the motor, they would have been flipped over into the water with the boat.

In the brief moment of confusion, several men emerged from the buildings, each armed and quickly swimming towards the raft. It was clear the people were up to no good.

Stella stood up, and her face looked stern as she drew her samurai sword, slashing at the approaching men.

"Ahh!!!"

Accompanied by a shrill scream, a man's arm was cut off, and his blood was staining the floodwater.

Killing just one wouldn't be enough to deter the others. Without hesitation, Stella aimed for his head.

If it weren't for today's events, she wouldn't have realized how many people had their eyes on them. The alliance between the other apartment buildings was just the tip of the iceberg; who knew how many others were lurking in the shadows?

The people of the 18th floor were seen as a fat lamb, ready for the slaughter. If they showed weakness or cowardice, they would be swarmed, their supplies would get stolen, and even Angela and Rosie could lose their lives.

So, there was no room for retreat. Any sign of softness would be their downfall.

Although Lukas and Cody were physically weaker, they quickly accepted the reality.