18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 347

Stella made a special trip to the local herbal research institute, where Collin and others had been toiling away. Thankfully, the greenhouse they had labored over was still standing.

The greenhouse, constructed by official experts, had a clever design that withstood the relentless assault of acid rain, ensuring the medicinal herbs were well-protected.

Having not seen them for half a year, Stella, who highly regarded her mentors and friends, brought gifts for everyone: Dr. Garcia's favorite tea blend, Collin's preferred sweets, Hugh's brand of cigarettes, and some preserved bacon and aged rice. She was careful not to overdo the quantities, keeping everything within a reasonable limit.

Hugh seemed much more cheerful, and Stella wondered if he had finally moved past the shadow of Lindsay. But she held her tongue, not daring to ask.

However, Bran mentioned in passing that Lindsay might be expecting. Hopefully she wouldn't cause any more trouble.

Seeing everyone in relatively good spirits, Stella felt reassured enough to head back to Griffith.

The escalation of natural disasters was undeniable, but the authorities had taken the prophecies seriously and prepared extensively. Stella hoped that when the day of the tectonic collision came, they could lead more survivors to safety. People like Dr. Garcia and Collin were surely on the government's list of key individuals to protect, so Stella didn't need to worry about them.

With the end of the acid rain, many in the neighborhood were reinforcing their homes, hoping to make them sturdier against the next disaster.

Knock on wood, Stella thought, there wouldn't be a next time.

That evening, after a glass of wine, she fell into a deep sleep.

"Bang!" It felt as though the earth had been struck a mighty blow, shaking the bed beneath her.

Stella sat up abruptly, her ears ringing. What the hell? The acid rain had barely ended, and now a tectonic collision? But that wasn't supposed to happen for almost two more years!

Jasper awoke beside her, quickly turning on the light. The two exchanged a glance, then hurriedly got dressed.

Rosie was also roused by the commotion, swiftly gearing up and grabbing the emergency earthquake kit.

As the trio dashed downstairs, Stella was about to deploy the survival pod in the yard when Cooper started barking furiously at the mansion across the way, his urgency clear. Then he began scratching at the front door. Jasper perked up his ears, "It's Buddy barking." By the sound of it, it was a cry for help.

Stella's panic subsided; there was no sense of the ground shaking now.

As Jasper opened the door and scanned the area with binoculars, he remarked, "Looks like the Porras family is in trouble."

The loud noise had woken many of the homeowners, who were now peering out and turning on lights, especially those near the Porras mansion. In moments, shouts filled the air, "Hurry, help! The house has collapsed!" Collapsed? Stella was baffled; the Porras family's home was built with top-notch materials. How could it just collapse?

Through the walkie-talkie, Bran's voice came through, tinged with desperation, "Stella, dad's hurt, I need help!"

"What happened?" Stella asked calmly, "Where's Shane injured?"

Bran didn't know. Out of nowhere, half the house had just crumbled, and his father had fallen, hitting his head and bleeding everywhere. His cousin's family were still trapped under the rubble.

"Don't panic. Move your dad to a safe spot, and don't shake him."

It was a false alarm; the earlier tremor wasn't tectonic-it was something that had crashed into the Porras family's home.

Considering that over half of Arcadia's assets were tied to the Porras family and that they had helped her a great deal over the years, Stella decided to investigate.

After ensuring Cooper and Rosie were safe in the survival pod, Jasper warned, "Rosie, fasten your seatbelt and take care of Cooper. Don't come out no matter what happens. Stella and I will check on the Porras family and be back later." Rosie looked worried, "Be safe, both of you."

The couple didn't waste any more time and hurried towards the Porras residence.

Stella, navigating through the dark, grabbed surgical equipment and medications from Arcadia, stuffing them all into her backpack.

The homeowners were emerging from their villas to see the Porras family's grand mansion partially demolished, their jaws dropping in disbelief. Who on earth was audacious enough to target the Porras family? Could it have been a rocket attack? After the initial shock, they all joined the rescue efforts.

When Stella arrived, the Porras family was in chaos, with Bran holding the injured Shane on a living room sofa.

Shane had a gash on his head, blood gushing out, soaking Bran's clothes. Several kids, terrified, cried beside them until Bran, overwhelmed and agitated, shouted, "Stop your crying! Shut up, you're driving me insane!"

His shout silenced even Tina.

Stella approached, "Find a clean room, and let's move Shane into it." Additionally, she requested all available medical supplies and equipment from the Porras family. After the years of calamities, it was a case of making use of whatever was available. Before their arrival, Bran had already prepared everything, quickly directing people to move Shane.

Stella was slightly impressed; She didn't realize that Bran was unexpectedly composed in a crisis.

As Stella was about to proceed, a woman in her thirties grabbed her arm. "My son's arm is dislocated. Can you help?" This was the Porras family's second daughter-in-law, clutching her crying son whose arm dangled limply.

Stella said gently, "Please wait just a moment." A dislocation was painful, but not as urgent as an open wound.

The woman, however, clung to Stella's sleeve, her eyes filled with impatience and displeasure. Bran's gaze swept over, lethal in its intensity. Feeling intimidated, the daughter-in-law let go.

Stella entered the treatment room, with Jasper assisting her.

The Porras family was well-stocked: half the room was filled with supplies. Surgical gowns, masks, surgical instruments, emergency medications, Western and herbal medicines filled the shelves, all well-kept. Stella rummaged through the medical supplies, replaceing some items that were brand new, obviously produced by official sources or bases, indicating the family's powerful connections.

With no shortage of medical supplies, Stella began treating Shane's wound. Thanks to her two years of experience at the research institute, she was confident in her medical skills and proceeded methodically.

Bran didn't stay; instead, he went back to the collapse site to direct the rescue operation.

In the pitch darkness, neighbors rallied to the scene, including folks like Austin, Cody, and Monkey, who all worked together to clear the debris of broken bricks, shattered glass, and splintered wood. "Watch your step, everyone. Be careful where you tread," they cautioned one another.

As the night wore on, one by one, the injured were pulled from the rubble.

In Stella's eyes, every life was equally precious, and she triaged the victims based on the severity of their injuries.

Among the injured were a housekeeper, a bodyguard, Bentley's mom, and Bentley's kid, who had a ghastly gash across his face.

Ignoring her own wounds and limping, Bentley's mom refused to leave the site, her voice hoarse with desperation, "Please, help me, anyone! My son is still in there."

Little Bently was hysterical, his tears mixing with blood as they streamed down his face, crying out, "Daddy, mommy."

Stella worked non-stop for hours, her back aching and legs cramping, feeling as if her bladder was about to burst.

After treating a dozen lacerations and contusions, dawn was breaking when they finally reached Bentley and Lindsay, both covered in blood.

Lindsay had lost too much blood from a miscarriage and, combined with suffocation and lack of oxygen, was already breathless.

Bentley had tried to shield Lindsay, his body taking the full brunt of the impact from sharp objects, badly injuring his spine. Now, he lay motionless. This time, Lindsay wouldn't be coming back. Bentley's eyes were vacant, his spirit gone.