18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 362

Dr. Bennett patched up Kitty's cuts with the deft hands of someone who had done it a thousand times before. A few neat stitches later, all he could do was hope for the best.

Stella opened up a thermos, carefully giving Kitty some fever-reducing meds and antibiotics. Once done, she explained to the shelter staff who they all were and her plan to take care of them personally. The staff didn’t object, so Stella grabbed a tent from her oversized backpack and set up a two-room shelter right there.

Rainwater was everywhere, so she laid down a moisture barrier, inflated some air mattresses, and moved Angela and Kitty inside. She and Rosie took the other room. The rain pounded on the tent, mirroring Stella’s cold and lonely feelings.

Ever since she got a second chance at life, Stella had done everything to be prepared. Stockpiling supplies, braving dark dangers—anything to keep control in her own hands. But against nature’s wrath, she still felt so small. A single storm could wipe out everything and everyone she cared about, leaving her to dig through the earth in vain. Disasters were unpredictable, enough to drive anyone to the brink of despair.

No news was both a blessing and a curse. Each passing day made survival seem less likely. The journey from the disaster site to the shelter was only half an hour, but it felt like a battlefield.

Stella tried not to think about it, but she couldn't stop worrying if Jasper had become one of the casualties.

"Stella," Rosie said cautiously, her face full of concern.

Taking a deep breath, Stella pulled out a cold sandwich from her bag and handed it to her. "Don’t worry, Jasper and Cooper will be fine."

Rosie was too anxious to eat, holding the sandwich but unable to take a bite.

That night, they lay on their air mattresses, restless and sleepless. Both were thinking about the same man and the same dog, but neither dared to voice it, afraid of adding to the other’s stress.

Finally, Stella took a melatonin and managed to drift off.

She woke up groggy, worn out from nightmares. Angela and Kitty were still asleep, but Kitty's fever had broken. She was still in a daze, murmuring something under her breath. It took Stella a moment to realize she was calling out for Cody. Clearly, her sister had fallen hard for him, but his whereabouts were unknown.

The rain was letting up outside. Stella gave Kitty more fever reducers and antibiotics, left Rosie to watch over her and Angela, and kept an eye on the newly rescued survivors at the shelter.

Unable to sit idle, Stella decided to head out and search again.

Rosie, frantic with worry, said, "Stella, let me come with you."

"If we both leave and Jasper comes looking for us, what if he rushes off to find us elsewhere?"

It made sense to leave someone behind as a precaution. Besides, the outside was too dangerous. Stella could adapt on the fly with her survival skills, but taking Rosie along would add too many complications. The storm and mudslide had taken a toll on even the fittest bodies. Rosie was weak, and if anything happened to her, how could Stella face Jasper?

Rosie nodded, understanding. "Okay, I'll wait here for you and Jasper. Cooper will be alright too."

The shelter had no extra food to spare. They were down to two meals a day, each a fist-sized lump of bread made from dried algae, barely enough to stave off hunger. Stella left some energy bars behind and instructed Rosie to stay safe.