18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 97

Gripes aside, life must go on.

Jasper laid out various attack strategies, simultaneously providing impeccable countermeasures.

Stella sighed again, realizing that survival in this post-apocalyptic world was no easy feat.

In the evening, Katie hollered from downstairs, announcing that the relief food, originally scheduled for the day after tomorrow, would be distributed tomorrow.

Angela and the others were puzzled. What's with sudden change of plans?

Stella instinctively glanced at Jasper, just as he looked her way.

Their eyes met briefly, then quickly looked away.

"Angela, I'm planning to fetch the relief food in the morning, then take Cooper out for a walk in the afternoon," Stella said.

Without giving it much thought, Angela agreed, "Sure, we'll go after you guys get back."

That night, sleep was elusive.

Stella was contemplative, thinking that with Arcadia, she could live a better life. But even this kind of 'better' came with a price.

She hoped for a successful day tomorrow.

The relief food was to be distributed at nine in the morning. Stella and Jasper agreed to leave at seven over the walkie-talkie.

They set out early, only to find Angela cycling in the hallway.

Rosie was nowhere in sight, and she casually asked, "Isn't Rosie coming?"

Jasper nodded, "Rosie's still asleep."

It was still early for the relief food distribution, and they had left without Rosie. Angela smirked, realizing their denial was just a façade.

Of course, Angela wouldn't call them out on it. She'd just wait and see.

After leaving Sunrise Sanctuary, the two of them didn't queue for food but headed towards Unity Village.

Upon reaching the intersection, Jasper suddenly paused.

Confused, Stella asked, "What's wrong?"

Jasper swiftly put his arm around her waist.

Stella felt a sudden rush of adrenaline. If she didn't know him better, she might have drawn her weapon.

"There's surveillance. Don't look around." Jasper whispered as he held her close, navigating through the icy chill.

"We're being watched?"

"Unity Village is."

Surprised flashed in Stella's eyes. Could it be that the police had taken her letter seriously?

She hated it when people only spoke halfway, but if Unity Village was indeed under surveillance, there might be lip-readers around.

To avoid suspicion, Stella decisively kept her mouth shut. She even overcame her discomfort and moved closer to Jasper, making them look more like a close couple.

Jasper held her close as they circled around Unity Village before finally ducking into a side street to escape.

"I'm sorry," he said, letting go of her.

"Is Unity Village being watched?"

"I'm not sure, but my gut tells me it is. All four exits are being monitored."

As a former special forces operative, Jasper's instincts were sharper than most.

Stella had also been alert, and although she wasn't as sharp as Jasper, she could faintly sense something was off.

She had a sudden thought, "Could the early distribution of the relief food have something to do with Unity Village?"

"Possibly."

Jasper had observed that Unity Village was not only a gathering place for The Chaos gang but also home to many survivors.

For example, many had come out to collect the relief food.

These survivors were either voluntarily seeking refuge or forced to stay.

The early distribution of relief food was likely to draw these survivors out of Unity Village, preventing them from becoming hostages of the gang.

Regardless, Stella felt a sense of relief. As long as they could wipe out the gang, this area should remain peaceful for quite some time.

They returned to the community center where a long line of survivors had already formed.

Stella asked in a hushed tone, "With the relief food being distributed today, will the gang's minions come to collect their 'protection fee'?"

Jasper nodded, "Yes."

This would significantly reduce the firepower at Unity Village.