18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 335

The cries of the victim were futile in the affluent neighborhood plagued by a vicious virus. With everyone's strength sapped, no one had the energy or inclination to come to the aid of another. Finders keepers was the unspoken rule, though some homeowners fought tooth and nail to protect their property, often paying with their lives or being spat upon with a virus-laden bloody cough. The chaos in the villa district was different from the rioting in the streets. As long as no one broke the unspoken truce, a veneer of civility and composure remained intact.

Whispers and jealous rumors did circulate about the two families who had received more supplies, but the four individuals who managed to thrive in these apocalyptic times paid them no mind. If no one knocked on their door, life went on as usual. If anyone dared to cause trouble, they'd pay a steep price.

Several had eyed the property at building 50, but any attempt to take it by force was thwarted by Angela and Kitty, who, despite being women, had a ferocity that men often lacked. After a few close calls that left would-be invaders clutching their sides, building 50 was left in peace.

Angela went through the supply list. "Stella, anything here you need?"

Stella had no want for extra supplies, but since Angela had asked, she played along. Stella pretended to give the list a thorough look before pushing it back. "We're good for now, but we'll let you know if that changes."

Up on the rooftop, the men worked to install solar panels while Angela and Kitty busied themselves in the kitchen. The illness had left everyone weakened, and it was vital to regain strength as soon as possible.

Nearly all of Kitty's carefully reared poultry had died, save for a lone hen and drake, plus a couple of quails. Kitty decided to cook the drake, tossing together dishes like crispy kale with scrambled eggs, and spicy pepper stewed with dried greens.

None of the dead animals were wasted; they were either cooked thoroughly or preserved for future use.

Knowing Jasper and Stella's standards, Kitty hesitated to serve them the preserved meat. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to fall ill because of her cooking.

Stella, helping with the installation, mentioned, "Experts say the volcanic ash might be acidic. If it doesn't clear up soon, it might contaminate the soil. And if it rains, aren't we looking at acid rain? You might want to cover those panels with something to protect them from erosion."

Cody nodded, already considering the same. "We've been thinking about building a glass enclosure. It's costly, and not easy to get, but we're trying to replace a way."

Despite no longer being part of the security team, Cody's relations with his former colleagues and the police were still strong. He wondered if it might be worth asking for a favor from Evan, who had always been good to them. But with everyone so busy, it might be best to wait.

Stella agreed, "Yeah, pull some strings if you can."

The generator was a success, providing a modest power supply despite the heavy smog. It was enough to light their evenings.

Cody uncorked a bottle of moonshine at dinner. "Here's to you, Stella and Jasper. Thanks for looking out for us all these years. Without you, we'd be nothing but bones by now." "Don't talk like that," Stella retorted sharply. "Friends look out for each other. Besides, if you hadn't taken that brick for me when we were kids, I'd be the one reduced to bones." Cody drained his glass with a laugh. "Ah, I'm not good with words. The sentiment's in the drink."

The conversation flowed as easily as the food, and the mood was light.

Mid-meal, Lukas brought up a suggestion. "Stella, now that the Eternal Night is over, what are you planning to do with the property across from the precinct?" Stella pondered. "I think I'll sell it."

They bought it as a precaution, but since they had managed to keep the neighborhood safe, it made sense to let it go.

Lukas wasn't sure. "Should we sell ours too?"

With many homeowners gone, the remaining few lacked the strength to enforce the old rules. They could continue paying rent, or just as easily not.

"Sure, there are plenty of empty houses around," Stella said. "The smog might not lift for a while, and the authorities have bigger problems. Keep living there if you want."

After dinner, Stella took a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. As she passed the grandest villa, she caught a glimpse of a slender figure leading a little boy by the hand. "Mommy, is he really my daddy?"

The voice sounded familiar, and it took Stella a moment to place it-little Bentley.

Rumor had it that after losing a plane, Bentley's mother, in a fit of rage, had broken her son's other arm when he couldn't move past his heartbreak. She had nearly thrown him out of the window in her fury, declaring she could always have another child.

Stella shook her head in wonder. Was Bentley's charm that great, or had luck favored him, bringing his girl back from the clutches of a typhoon-with a child in tow?

Stella didn't care much for Bentley's affairs, but she did worry about Hugh. Those who coveted rich CEOs's girl never fared well, regardless of what they were.

With antiviral medicine becoming available, the city began to buzz with life once more, no longer resembling a ghost town. Despite low visibility, people started to venture out-some to work, others to prey.

The villa district was no exception. With patrols interrupted by the disaster, bold thiefs sneaked in, hoping to snatch unguarded treasures.

Just as the thief thought he'd found the perfect mark, which seemed dead, not a soul in sight, out popped this woman, thin as a rail and pale as a ghost, clad in nothing but a flimsy nightgown. "Wha-what are you doing here? Cough, cough, cough..." Her coughing was so violent that the thief thought her lungs might pop out.

The thief was taken aback and said. "Hey, easy there, don't cough! Watch the droplets. Relax, I mean no harm, really."

She was startled, her mind racing. "Just do it then. I haven't been able to get my meds. I might as well be waiting for the Grim Reaper. Make it quick, will ya?"

"Now, hold on, don't talk like that. There's always next time to get lucky with the draw. I was just taking a walk, yeah. I'll be on my way."

The thief was scared of catching whatever she had and bolted so fast that he tripped and tumbled down the steps.

Just as the thief got to the gate, he ran smack into Buddy, the Porras family's dog, who was looking like a furry meatball after a hearty feast. He was out for a post-dinner stroll, probably heading back to building 50.

That dog had a nose like a bloodhound - there wasn't a scent in the neighborhood he didn't know. He knew the thief didn't belong, and his instincts tagged the thief as trouble.

In a flash, he was on the thief like a lion, a few swipes and the thief was down. The dog dragged the man back to building 50 like the thief was his new chew toy.

"Hey boss, check it out! Fresh meat on the leg."

Cooper, hearing the commotion, bounded down from the second story, easily clearing the three-meter fence.

The trio had gone to the local real estate center, which meant there were no one in building 50 at the moment. The two dogs played at the door, thoroughly enjoying their two-legged plaything.