18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 138

The ice layer melted under the sun's exposure in an astonishing speed. The surface was smooth with no grip, making it impossible for the people in the water to climb back up.

Two individuals, quick on their feet, darted towards the building, but their pace was no match for the speed of the cracking ice. They slipped, fell, and were immediately swallowed by the icy waters below.

A year of disasters had pushed their bodies to the brink. Already severely weakened, they were unable to resist the bone-chilling water that filled their mouths and nostrils. They fell and rose in the water, but never managed to climb back up. Stella's walkie-talkie rang, drawing her back to the present.

"Stella, the heatwave is coming earlier than expected."

A chill ran down her spine at the thought. "Do you feel like the sunlight is too glaring?"

Jasper was knocking at the door. "Yes, and the temperature is rising too quickly."

Once the door was opened, their eyes met.

Many had died of heat in their previous lives. Now that the heatwave was arriving earlier, the consequences would be even worse.

Remembering the sauna-like weather she had experienced before, Stella felt a shiver run down her spine. Given a choice, she would rather face the freezing weather. At least they could snuggle under the blankets then.

Seeing her serious expression, Jasper reassured her. "We've prepared for this. We'll pull through."

Yes, they would pull through.

She had survived before when she was alone, without food or water. Now, not only did she have Arcadia and Cooper, she also had a boyfriend, and some friends. Her situation was far better than before.

After breakfast, they discussed the matter of harvesting the potatoes.

They had the growth stimulants, but the heatwave had arrived early and the potatoes weren't fully grown yet.

They dug up a pot and found that the potatoes were smaller than the previous batch and their taste was even more bitter. If they were to harvest them now, not only would the yield be significantly reduced, the immature potatoes would also be harder to preserve. Jasper asked, "Should we harvest them?"

The potatoes on the balcony, exposed to the sun, had wilted under the rising temperatures.

Stella thought for a moment. "Let's not harvest them for now. I'll put them in Arcadia's Garden and see if they'll grow some more."

And so, the dozens of pots of potatoes were all taken into Arcadia and neatly arranged in the garden.

"Jasper, I feel hot."

Ever since she woke up, Rosie had changed her clothes three times. Even in a dress, she was still sweaty.

The ice had just melted and the water was still cold, but being on the top floor, the concrete roof had been baked to a blinding white.

The temperature read 39 degrees Celsius, but the ground temperature had already reached 72 degrees. Even in the living room, they could feel the heat seeping down from the ceiling.

That was the biggest downside to living on the top floor. Without air conditioning, it was already unbearably hot usually, let alone during a heatwave.

Not only was Rosie feeling hot; even Cooper couldn't bear it.

The usually lively and energetic dog was now crouched quietly, panting with his tongue sticking out.

Stella entered the master bedroom of 1801, taking out the power bank and the portable fan, and made sure to add some ice inside.

She wanted to turn on the air conditioner, but the noise from the external unit was too loud.

On the 18th floor, there were already quite a few water tanks. If the air conditioner was turned on, it would undoubtedly signal to all survivors that the 18th floor had both water and electricity-come and grab it. There was no rush. They would wait and see.

The moment the fan was turned on, it was immediately claimed by Cooper and Rosie. The cold air blowing from the fan made Rosie cheer with joy. "Wow, it's so cool."

Stella, wearing a thermo-regulated suit, didn't feel particularly hot. However, she was a bit worried at the moment. "I want to go out for a while."

Cody and the others had been gone for several days, but they hadn't returned. Could something have happened?

Jasper asked, "You want to go pick up Cody and the others?"

Stella nodded. "There are fewer people outside now, so it's relatively safer."

"Let's wait a bit longer. A lot of areas still have ice. If the inflatable boat gets punctured halfway, it'll be more dangerous."

Jasper analyzed the situation for her. "Perhaps they're also waiting for the ice to melt before coming back. If we miss them, it'll be more troublesome." He had a point, so Stella decided to wait a little longer.

After lunch, she took a nap and used a large ice cube to cool down. With the fan and air conditioner blowing, the hot air gradually cooled down.

When she woke up in the afternoon, the sun was still scorching hot, showing no signs of weakening. It seemed to be compensating for the past year of its absence, relentlessly baking the steel and concrete that stood above the water. Stella went to the balcony to check the temperature when a hot gust of wind greeted her. It was 43 degrees. The water was shimmering under the sunlight. The ice had completely melted.

Dressed in her thermal suit with a sun-protective layer over it, and donning a hat and mask, Stella sent Cooper to apartment 1801.

Jasper was worried. "You stay home. I'll go get them."

Stella was adamant. "No need, I can handle it."

If the people in 1803 weren't her friends, would he go? She appreciated his concern, but she didn't want to rely on him for everything and ultimately become over-dependent. Besides, she was wearing a thermal suit and wouldn't get a heatstroke. Seeing her insistence, Jasper didn't push further. "Be careful."

Carrying the heavy inflatable boat, Stella went down to the 7th floor.

The 7th floor was noticeably cooler, but the indescribable smell assaulted the nostrils. On the water surface, there were various garbage bags floating everywhere. It was nauseating to look at them for too long.

Stella put on two masks, placed the inflated boat on the water, and skillfully began to row. The roar of the engine attracted the attention of the survivors in the apartment.

It was the people from the 18th floor again.

Their rubber boats had hardened and burst when inflated. Why was hers intact?

Envy and resentment filled them, but everyone knew that the people on the 18th floor were tough. They could swear at them in their hearts, but no one dared to confront them.

The heat was intense, but the water absorbed a lot of it, it was just the smell that was unbearable.

Stella was right. Along the way, there were hardly any inflatable boats or rubber rafts to be seen.

Firstly, many had been damaged by the freeze. Secondly, most survivors were huddled at home to combat the cold. Little did they know that overnight, the weather shifted to an extremely hot mode. Unless necessary, no one would willingly go out. However, there were still people trapped by the floodwaters, desperately waving and calling out to Stella for help. She ignored them and zoomed past.

Avoiding the garbage and bodies in the water, Stella sped off towards her destination. It took her about half an hour to reach the security patrol station where Cody and his group were.

To her surprise, a crowd was gathered at the entrance, all of them waving at the sight of the inflatable boat. Stella kept her cool and stopped about thirty meters away.

There were dozens of people crowded at the entrance, some security patrol officers and some survivors who happened to be nearby. They were all clamoring for help. "We're trapped here. Could you give us a lift?"

They were stranded by the floodwaters. The city council would send rescue teams, but they didn't know when that would be.

If Stella were to take pity on them and give them a lift, whether she or the inflatable boat could safely make it back home was worth questioning.

Seeing her unfazed, a sense of discomfort permeated the crowd. "What's her deal? What's the harm in giving us a lift? It's not like we are going to do anything to her." Some, however, were more polite in their approach. "I've got half a pound of grain, how about you give me a ride home in exchange?"

"I'll give a full pound."

"I'll give two."

"Miss, pick me, pick me. You don't have a boyfriend, do you? My brother's quite the catch. I can introduce you."

The cacophony was incessant, irritating Stella to no end. She reached into her bag and pulled out a crossbow. "Wow, she's armed, so fierce."

"No wonder she's so aloof, she's got some tricks up her sleeve."