18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 224

The faint movement didn't set off the alarm.

Stella cocked an ear, recognizing the familiar footsteps. Jasper returned, Cooper trailing behind, both covered head to tail in dust and reeking of sweat.

"How'd it go?" Stella fetched a bottle of water for him to freshen up, "Did you manage to save anyone?"

"Yeah, over a dozen." Jasper stripped off his dust-coated shirt, revealing a muscular torso. "Mark organized it well, forced breaks every hour. Cooper was great. He detected the scent of survivors, which helped us focus our rescue efforts. Saved us a lot of time and energy."

Stella had assessed the dog as soon as he entered. He seemed quite energetic, and his anti-cut protective gear was intact. His paws were also uninjured.

Jasper chuckled, "Cooper's a clever one. He only does the searching, doesn't lift a paw more than necessary."

Stella gave him a playful shove, "Are you saying, like owner, like dog?"

"No, I just think he's doing a great job."

"I noticed you've become quite the smooth talker." Stella gave him a mock glare. "Our Cooper is so capable. How about Mark's Luna?"

Don't get him started. What could that little dog do? All it did was tail Cooper around. A pet dog without special training, how could it handle rescue work?

As Jasper bathed, Stella checked his backpack. All the water was gone, but he had not used any of the emergency medical supplies.

Seemed like he had the situation under control. Stella breathed a sigh of relief.

After his shower, Jasper soaked his dirty clothes in disinfectant before washing them.

Stella brought out a pot of chicken soup and some cornbread and biscuits for breakfast, a comforting treat for the two heroes.

After breakfast, Stella thought Jasper would rest and was about to leave the room to him, but he swiftly locked the door, scooping her up in his arms. Wasn't he tired after a whole night's work? After a few rounds of passionate lovemaking, he fell asleep.

Stella felt tired but strangely energized and relaxed. The stifling post-apocalyptic atmosphere could be eased by physical comfort.

She woke up late, lounging on the couch with a cob of corn, watching TV.

Jasper woke up in the evening, had dinner with Stella and Rosie, then left for his duty with Cooper.

The next morning, Jasper returned with a finger injured by a rock, but it wasn't serious. He had promptly disinfected and bandaged it.

Stella, worried, advised him, "You should take some antibiotics."

She also checked Cooper, who had no visible injuries, but was struggling with the heat. She quickly turned on the air conditioning and gave him plenty of iced lemonade for hydration.

The rescue mission lasted three days, after which Mark called it off.

Not that they didn't want to continue the rescue efforts, but for regular people, being without water for three days was already extremely dangerous. Additionally, the severe earthquake struck amidst sweltering heat, making it feel as though people were tossed into a blazing oven. Not only did they face high temperatures and dehydration, but also the risk of suffocation. What were the chances of survival? The number of people rescued on the second day was half of the first day, and on the third day, none at all.

With the swift decomposition of bodies in the heat, Mark didn't want to risk the lives of the community members, so he pragmatically called it quits.

They'd done their best.

"For this disaster relief effort, I have already reported to the neighborhood committee. Everyone has worked hard, so go back and rest for a couple of days," Mark patted on the relief team members' back, while reminding them, "This earthquake was severe; few buildings remains standing. Many survivors have lost their homes, their supplies buried beneath the rubble.

"People need to eat and drink to survive, but the government can't arrange for so many victims in a short time. We can't harm people but we have to beware of people's intentions. It's likely to get chaotic outside, so it's best not to go out if it's not necessary, especially alone." After wrapping up the disaster relief, Mark didn't take a moment's rest and immediately started well repairs with his team. If the water source wasn't secured soon, the residents of Eastwood Eden would face great danger.

The morning after, Stella was chilling on the couch with a book when a loudspeaker downstairs announced, "Stella from building 5, someone's here for you at the main gate."

Stella was confused. Who could it be in this post-apocalyptic world?

She shouted from her balcony, "Who is it?"

"Don't know, a bunch of guys."

Well, that sounded ominous. Did she owe someone something?

"Who would it be?" Jasper was equally puzzled, "I'll go with you."

"No need, you should rest."

Just a few men, what could they do to her? If they didn't have any business with her, she would give them a piece of her mind.

The man who called her was still waiting downstairs, "Stella, those guys look like trouble, riding their old-fashioned bicycles, one of them even smoking. Doesn't seem like good news. Watch out." Trouble? She didn't have any friends or enemies like that.

Unless the tattooed guys from Silver Asylum or Alpha Outpost survived and were looking for trouble?

No problem, she was ready.

Despite her bravado, Stella was cautious. She didn't rush out but hid in the shadows, trying to get a good look at the men.

When she recognized them, she grimaced. How on earth did Monkey replace her?

And what was Austin doing with a blood-soaked bandage on his head, smoking like he was on vacation?

Two old bikes, and four suspicious-looking men, no wonder the man had been concerned.

Stella approached them, "You were here to see me?"

At the sight of her, Monkey's eyes lit up, "We were worried about you."

Stella didn't buy it, "How did you replace me?"

"Rob," Monkey pointed at the bald man, "He recognized Jasper when the Eastwood Eden rescuers came to his building yesterday."

Stella glanced at Rob. She must have seen him before when trading water.

Noticing her eyes on the bikes, Monkey hurriedly explained, "The earthquake ruined the roads. These bikes are more reliable than cars." Stella turned to Austin, "Austin, what happened?"