18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 351

Stella stared out at the crowd, lost in deep thought. Honestly, she hadn't really planned on a specific place to go. She just wanted to get away from the busy seaside and Mount Oak. Anywhere would be fine, as long as she was with the people she cared about. Over the years, folks like Austin, Lukas, Cody, and even Bran, along with the other homeowners, had all looked to Building 50 as a sort of guiding light. It seemed like the Porras family had been trying to get close for some reason, and Bran had quickly informed her about the satellite collision with Mount Oak. The info had to be official. He was just trying to see what she planned to do, so he could make choices that would benefit his family.

If she stayed within her community, the secrets of Building 50 would stay safe behind closed doors. But out in the world, it was a different story. No one could predict the disasters that might come, and when catastrophe struck, survival was uncertain. Stella had her worries. Despite her and Jasper's diligent upbringing of young Rosie, human nature was the greatest unknown. Rosie would grow up, maybe marry and start her own family. If she ever faced unbearable hardship, would she give in to greed? Now, with so many eyes on her, filled with a fierce desire to live, the real test of character would come in times of life and death. It was easy to be generous and supportive when times were good, but what about when tough choices had to be made? During the smog crisis, Austin had bravely tested drugs on himself to save his son. He might not fear death, but he couldn't bear the thought of losing his boy.

Stella trusted that Cody and Lukas wouldn't harm her, but what if Angela or Kitty were at risk? Could she ever mean more to them than their own kin?

When she and Jasper first met, perhaps their bond wasn't as strong as that between her and Cody or Lukas. But after years of supporting each other through thick and thin, sharing both a bed and their lives, she knew where her priorities lay. So, she couldn't expect others to do what she herself found difficult.

After mulling it over, Stella finally spoke up, "I'm thinking of heading to the Lincoln Kindle Society. If it's a good fit, we'll settle down there. If not, we'll look elsewhere."

She ruled out going to the Goldbridge official base. Even the Porras family had been forced back to Griffith, which spoke volumes about the fierce internal struggles they faced. Stella wasn't one to be dragged into conflicts needlessly.

If Lincoln didn't work out, maybe they would seek refuge in the high-altitude regions. With the constant threat of natural and man-made disasters, Stella knew she might not escape unscathed, let alone be able to protect or care for others.

Cody and the others were skilled fighters, and Austin had his loyal brothers-in-arms. They wouldn't be easily captured if danger struck, and there was always the chance of official intervention.

Upon learning of Stella's plans to join the Kindle Society, a glint of sadness passed through Austin's eyes. The Kindle Society wasn't for just anyone, and he knew his skills wouldn't make the cut.

He resolved to head to the Goldbridge official base instead, and he needed to move quickly, before the masses of survivors descended.

Though disappointed, Austin was grateful for the years he'd gained through Stella's guidance. "Take care, you and Jasper. I hope our paths cross again," he said sincerely.

Stella nodded. "You too. Don't give up hope."

With his decision made, Austin quickly gathered his crew. They would leave together or stay behind together.

While Austin was decisive, Lukas was in a bind. Angela had been blacklisted from the official base for brawling, and returning was out of the question. The blacklist was shared, and with that mark against her, the Kindle Society would be off-limits too. Lukas didn't want to burden Cody and Kitty. "You guys go to the Kindle Society. Angela and I will figure something else out."

Cody wouldn't hear of it. "No way, we've been through too much together. We'll replace a way to stick together."

Angela chimed in, "Just go to the Kindle Society. Don't let me hold you back."

Their disagreement was palpable, with no one willing to yield.

Stella suggested a compromise. "Why not try for the Kindle Society first? If that doesn't work out, then we can figure out our next move." That seemed like a reasonable plan. It wasn't the time for arguments, and who knew? Maybe the Kindle Society had changed its policies. Lukas was relieved. "Alright, we'll stick together for now. Better to have each other's backs in case something comes up."

Stella was tactful. "You guys go ahead. We've got a lot to pack up, so it might take us a little longer."

Lukas, ever the straightforward one, insisted, "No worries, we don't have much. We can help you move stuff."

Cody, always perceptive, gave Lukas a subtle tug and said, "Sure, we'll wait for you at the Kindle Society. Just stay safe, both of you." Stella hugged them. "You too. Be careful."

On the way back home, Lukas was puzzled. "Stella and Jasper are just two people with a lot to carry. We should be helping them. What if they run into trouble on the road, like bandits or something? What would we protect then, the people or the supplies?" Cody clarified, "Stella and Jasper have been in Griffith for years. They can't possibly take everything with them. They need time to sort out their affairs."

Supplies were as precious as life itself. In these times, even a mother's trust could be in doubt, let alone trusting strangers with one's life.

Lukas then remembered Stella's plane and fuel. The plane was one thing, but the fuel couldn't all be taken along. It would have to be moved or sold elsewhere.

Realizing his oversight, Lukas hoped that the couple could safely transfer their belongings and make it to the Kindle Society.

Without further discussion, they returned home and hastily packed their belongings. Everything fit into one off-road vehicle.

As dawn had yet to break, Cody drove by Building 50, thinking about the kindness Stella and Jasper had shown him since his return to Griffith. Even if they were parting ways, he wanted to say goodbye.

But after pondering, he decided against it, turned the car around, and left.

Whether or not they would meet again, he hoped they would both replace their way.

If I ever get the chance, I hope to repay the kindness they've shown me all these years, to take care of them in return.

Leaving, returning, leaving again-each time my feelings change, but never before have they been as mixed as this.

Stella stood on the rooftop, watching the SUV vanish into the night, her emotions a jumbled mess.

Jasper sidled up beside her, his voice a soft murmur, "They're tough, way tougher and more skilled than most. They'll make it good wherever they go."

"Yeah," Stella nodded in agreement.

Word of the departure from Building 50 spread like wildfire, sending the residents into a frenzy of concern.

If even they were leaving, what would become of the rest of us, half broken by the torment we've endured?

Radios were turned on in a hurry, people eager for official news, or they were trying to catch wind of what the Porras family had decided.

When Bran learned of Stella's decision, it felt like he had been trampled by a stampede of wild horses, but he didn't dare slack off. He immediately relayed the news to the old man.

Shane's brows furrowed deeply, and he set out for the town hall in the dead of night.

Two hours later, Shane returned with a grave expression.

Tina and her kids hadn't slept a wink, and they rushed to greet him, "What's the word, Dad?"

"The authorities have been out to the outskirts of Mount Oak for a survey. They've detected tremors, and it's not out of the question that the dormant volcano, silent for millions of years, could erupt."

With sophisticated equipment wrecked by natural disasters, they resorted to old-school methods, detecting continuous tremors on multiple occasions.

No one dared to say for certain that the volcano wouldn't erupt, nor could they predict the potential scale. If it was anything like that obliteration on the northern island, everyone living nearby would be in mortal danger. Recalling the terror of past smog disasters, Tina's voice shook, "What do we do now?"