18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 210

To avoid heatstroke, the welfare distribution happened in two time slots, from five to seven in the morning and from seven to nine in the evening.

Jasper's team was assigned the morning slot. They woke up at three in the morning, Stella coaxed their dog, Cooper, with some fish and chips. "Cooper, guard the house, Okay? We'll be back soon." Cooper whimpered, and finally agreed.

With their backpacks slung over their shoulders and buckets in hand, they met with the other early morning residents at the main gate. There were over seventy people, including elderly and children. Everyone was nervous, but when they saw Jasper and Stella, they felt more at ease.

Mark took attendance and made sure everyone was present before they set off.

People who had survived two years of the apocalypse didn't put on airs. They walked in the dark, guided by their flashlights. There were no complaints. After all, Jasper had a car, yet he chose to walk with them.

The community center was quite a distance away. When they arrived at 4:30 am, there was already a long line of people.

After arranging their team, Stella and her team queued at another window to update their residency information.

At 5 am, the welfare window opened on time. There were police officers maintaining order. Despite the large crowd, no one caused any trouble.

Who had the energy to cause trouble when they were hungry and thirsty anyway?

The people from Eastwood Eden didn't arrive early. They waited for an hour and still hadn't taken their turn.

By 6 am, the sky was already bright. People were getting anxious, hoping to collect their supplies and return before the heat of the sun hit.

The scorching sun was super hot. It could cause skin to redden and itch quickly, and even cause sunburns and blisters that could lead to infections.

Stella estimated they had about ten more minutes to wait. They would likely return before 8 am, which was ideal.

However, she felt something was off today. The eastern sky was usually bright by now, but today it seemed gloomier and the air was becoming more humid. Just as she was about to speak to Jasper, a frantic sound echoed.

"Thud. Thud. Thud."

Then, screams erupted, and the crowd instantly panicked.

Before Stella could react, a sharp pain shot through her shoulder.

"Run, it's hailing."

Jasper yelled, pulling Stella towards the community center building.

Hailstones fell from the sky, some the size of pigeon eggs, chicken eggs, and even as big as fists.

In the chaos, Rosie slipped on a hailstone and fell. Fortunately, Jasper was holding her arm. Otherwise, she might have been trampled.

Carrying Rosie and dragging Stella, Jasper pushed forward. The crowd was rushing towards the community center, and it quickly filled up.

Jasper's team was not too far away, and his quick reaction allowed them to get inside quickly.

The community center was small, and those who were late or slow could not squeeze in. Even if they couldn't get in, they tried, pushing and shoving until the place was packed. Some children were crying out of fear. There were shouts, shoves, people being trampled on, and even those seizing the opportunity to steal water and food. It was chaos.

Those who couldn't get in covered their heads with their bags or water buckets and sought shelter nearby.

The hailstorm came without warning, and many survivors were hit. Some were injured, some bleeding from their heads, and some were struck by fist-sized hailstones, falling to the ground clutching their water buckets, never to get up again.

Once inside the community center office, Jasper didn't stop. He pushed through the crowd to get further inside. The restroom at the end was smelly due to the lack of water. He kicked open the door to a storage room nearby.

The storage room was small, filled with mops and brooms, just enough space for three people.

Stella's shoulder hurt terribly. Just as she was about to check it, she noticed that Rosie's forehead was bleeding profusely.

"Rosie." Stella was shocked. "Where are you hurt?"

Rosie reached up to touch her wound, her hand came away covered in blood. She had been hit on the forehead, and it hurt so much she forgot to cry. Her brother had told her not to cry, that tears were useless. Jasper looked back at Rosie, shocked.

Stella ignored the pain in her shoulder, quickly took out a first-aid kit from her bag, and started to treat Rosie's wound. She stopped the bleeding, disinfected the wound, and bandaged it.

Rosie staggered. "Jasper, I feel dizzy."

Jasper held her in his arms, anxiously asking, "Stella, how is Rosie's wound?"

Without medical equipment, Stella couldn't tell the exact condition. If it was a concussion, Rosie would recover with rest and care for the wound. If it was a brain hemorrhage or fluid accumulation, that would be troublesome.

With Jasper's anxious expression, Stella didn't dare to mention the worst-case scenario. "It might be a concussion. Let's stop the bleeding and medicate for now."

The disaster had just begun, and although the hospitals' medicine was quickly used up, many doctors were still at their posts, treating patients without prescribing medications. But there were too many patients. Some who were dying due to lack of medication or their family members became extreme, believing that the hospital was withholding medication. They thought the hospital was only willing to give medicine to the rich and influential, or if they thought the doctor's attitude was bad, there were many violent incidents.

Doctors were also ordinary people. Many died in various disasters. If they had the opportunity, they would choose to go to the base.

So the hospitals had been completely closed. Even if it was open, the equipment could no longer function.

Stella hoped it wasn't the worst-case scenario, otherwise, she feared Jasper wouldn't be able to handle it.

"Rosie, how do you feel?"

Rosie leaned on her brother. "Stella, my head hurts so much. I feel like throwing up."

Stella comforted her. "You're hurt, but you'll be okay, don't be afraid."

Jasper noticed Stella's expression. "Are you hurt too?"

Stella nodded, pressing her swollen shoulder and took out two ice packs from her backpack to apply.

Jasper took the ice packs and applied them to Rosie's forehead, asking with concern. "Stella, are you seriously hurt?"

She didn't want him to worry too much. Stella applied an ice pack to her shoulder. "I was hit by hail, but it should be fine."

Just as Jasper was about to suggest checking it, the storage room door was knocked. "Who's in there? Do you have medicine? I smell it. Open the door. Please give me some medicine. I'm hurt too."

Jasper blocked the door with his body. "You're mistaken. We don't have any medicine."

"Why won't you give us medicine if you have it?" The man kept knocking on the door, his voice agitated. "I've lost a lot of blood. I'll die if I don't stop the bleeding and bandage it."

He saw the man pushing and kicking at the door, even shouting out loud, "They have medicines in there. They just won't give them up!"

Sure, Stella had some medicine, but there were so many injured people. How much difference could it make even if they handed everything out?

If they gave it to them, what would they do later? Wait for death?

Rosie held her forehead, "Jasper, I'm scared."

"Don't worry, I'll protect you."

"I...I think I see Mom and Dad."

Jasper's face turned pale, "No, Mom and Dad are gone, but you won't die. I won't let you."

As he said this, he turned anxiously to Stella.

Stella was at a loss too, "Rosie, don't let your mind wander, and don't sleep. Stay alert."

With this, she took out a bag of candied orange peels, pinched a small piece, and put it in Rosie's mouth, "Taste it, it's delicious."

"It's so sweet."

"I promise to feed you with delicious food every day. Don't sleep. Stay with your brother and me forever. Cooper is waiting for us to return."