18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 78

Katie was getting on in years, and her heart couldn't handle the stress. Moreover, that guy wasn't the only one going mad in the apartment building. So, she made a decisive move to the 17th floor. Although there had been killings on the 18th floor, they were committed in self-defense and were far more reasonable than others.

Not only did the two families move their belongings up, but they also removed their stainless steel doors, wanting to create a safe fortress like the 18th floor had, complete with three doors in the staircase. But, they lacked the necessary tools, so they knocked on the 18th floor for help.

Stella didn't hurry to answer but looked towards Jasper, Cody, and the rest. Arcadia had tools, but Stella couldn't lend them out.

Jasper had a handheld impact drill, and apartment 1803 had an acetylene torch for spot welding. However, people could be wicked, and moving to the 17th floor showed they were seeking asylum. Throwing out a free olive branch would only foster a dependency.

The residents of the 18th floor weren’t saviors, protecting themselves was hard enough, let alone others. Still, having three more doors in the staircase would benefit the 18th floor, providing a buffer in case of an attack.

They just needed to maintain a balance in their interactions with the 17th floor.

A silent exchange of glances between the 18th floor residents and a consensus was quickly reached.

"The impact drill is almost out of power, and we don't have much acetylene left. You can borrow them, but when will you return them?" Stella asked, choking the other two families into silence.

Katie sensed what Stella meant. "Young lady, we have to look out for each other, seeing as we are living so close to each other. These items are indeed special, and we can't return them immediately. How about we offer other items to hold as collateral?"

"Alright, discuss it amongst yourselves."

In the end, Katie offered a bracelet, the Palmer family, who had a child, offered a jade statue, and the family in 1703 presented a gold necklace.

Stella, on behalf of the 18th floor, accepted the items and handed over the impact drill and acetylene torch to the 17th floor residents. She also sent Lukas and Cody to provide technical guidance, insisting the doors be sturdy and secure.

In addition, the 17th floor residents requested access to the rooftop to collect snow for water. The rooftop was communal, and the two floors had established a cooperative relationship, so refusing them access seemed unreasonable. However, each visit would require opening the door and could pose a risk to the 18th floor.

Stella considered. "Every day at four in the afternoon, only one person can come up. Decide amongst yourselves who that will be."

Only one person?

The 17th floor residents weren’t happy about this, but they were in a weaker position than the 18th floor residents. After some discussion, they assigned the task to Mikey.

After the staircase doors were installed, Lukas returned with three keys. "Going out and coming back won't be easy anymore; we'll have to pass through six doors."

Furthermore, the 17th floor residents offered a skateboard, and in exchange, Lukas decided to give them his three-pound box of nails to weld their doors, providing an added sense of security.

In the meantime, the Moore family decided to go chop wood the next day.

In the freezing weather, it was unbearable to stay indoors without firewood. Despite having collected quite a bit, it quickly ran out as they burned it from dawn till dusk.

The survivors could have managed a little longer, but the stark absence of trees along the southern coast, and the depleted reserves of furniture and firewood within the city, compelled them to journey into the mountains in pursuit of firewood. Ivywood Estates was surrounded by mountains, but they were too far away. Even a day's walk wouldn't be enough to go there and back. The nearest was Griffith Mountain, where the early bird got the worm.

Lukas and Cody had a strong sense of danger and felt the need to stockpile. "Stella, are you going?"

Stella shrugged. "I don't feel like moving. We'll talk about it in a few days."

Jasper also decided to stay in, not inclined to go out to chop wood.

The whole of 1803 set out, with Lukas brandishing a foldable mechanical saw blade, ready to make his mark. Cooper wanted to go out and wander, but his owner, Stella wouldn't allow it.

In the morning, Stella watched from the balcony as the 1803 residents, fully armed, set out.

They were wrapped up so tightly that it was hard to tell who was who. Suddenly, several figures dashed out from Building 8, trying to snatch Lukas' coat.