18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 318

Katie's reflexes were sharp as a tack. "Stella, are you talking about a C-section?"

Stella nodded solemnly.

Panic edged into Katie's voice. "We've gotta do it, absolutely. This is Molly's baby, a Moore through and through."

But Stella had to lay it out straight. "Molly's been in labor far too long, and without any prenatal care, there's no telling if the baby's alright. If it's been deprived of oxygen for too long, it could be stillborn or face serious disabilities. You need to think this through."

Without a moment's hesitation, Katie affirmed, "This is a Moore baby. If there's even the slightest breath left, we will not give up."

Mikey's voice was a hoarse whisper. "I don't agree."

Molly was gone. Why cut into her? She was so vain, so afraid of pain. It would only hurt her more.

Katie knew her grandson was heartbroken, but they couldn't afford to give up now. "Mikey, I know you're hurting, but Molly gave her life for this baby. She would have wanted the child to live. This baby was protected by Molly’s very life. You can't make this decision for her."

Joey and Amber tried to reason with him, too.

Unfortunately, Mikey was drowning in grief, clinging to Molly's lifeless body, unyielding to his parents' tugging.

Amber, feeling desperate, slapped her son across the face. “Snap out of it! Think of Molly’s last wishes!”

Molly had insisted that no matter what, they had to save the child.

"You promised her." Amber wept, slapping him repeatedly. "You gave her your word. You can't let her down, not like this."

Mikey's tears flowed as his grip finally loosened. Joey took the chance to pull him away to another room.

Amber rushed to boil water, while Katie, unbothered by old wives' tales, assisted.

Time was of the essence. Stella may have been new to this but knew the human body well. She had practiced on pork, after all. Taking a deep breath, Stella lifted Molly's gown and made the first incision across the swollen belly.

After a grueling effort, they lifted out a bloodied form. Katie took the infant quickly, frantically cleaning the blood and filth from its tiny body. The baby was tiny, no more than a couple of pounds, wrinkled and purple-faced.

Katie felt for breath and panicked. "There's no breath."

Stella, inexperienced but quick-thinking, took the baby. The airway was clear and the body was still warm. Flipping the child, she smacked its bottom. Just like she’d seen on TV. A last-ditch attempt.

Smack, smack, smack…

After several attempts, just as Stella was about to give up, the infant stirred and let out a feeble cry, weaker than a kit’en's mew“.

"It's alive, it's alive!" Katie cried, tears streaming down her face. "Molly, your baby's alive. It's a miracle."

They handed the baby to Katie and Amber to care for. Out of respect for the deceased, Stella stitched Molly up.