18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 90

Katie refused at first, and later she showed her gratitude with a pound of kudzu powder to each household in the end.

Meanwhile, Mikey gave a homemade "bike" to the residents of the 18th floor. The bike, equipped with a heating device at the back, could generate heat when pedaled with gusto, warming up the room while providing a means of exercise. "I'm still looking for parts," Mikey said, pushing his glasses up his nose with a scholarly smile. "Soon, I should be able to convert it into a charging device."

The 18th floor was pretty warm, so Stella declined the offer. "All right, we thank you. Once you can modify it to a charging device, we'll take it," Stella said.

After Stella left, Katie felt so embarrassed. "You know, I think our neighbors are quite selfish. They hide in their homes even though they're there. I suspect trouble is coming. Be careful when you're around them and try to minimize contact," she warned. Those gangsters had failed in their mission to collect food that day. It was certain that they wouldn't take it lying down and the retaliation was coming.

The folks on the 18th floor were capable, but they weren't the kind to just give away their resources. They hadn't said anything today, but what about next time?

If they really got pissed off, they could just wait until the 17th floor was torn apart before stepping in.

However, Katie was reluctant to criticize her neighbors outright. After all, who wasn't afraid of death? They were scared. Wasn't the 18th floor scared too? Sometimes, selfishness could be a death warrant.

That day, the building was a mix of joy and sorrow.

Drew's Family had been robbed. The survivors, who had been oppressed for so long, showed no mercy to Drew's family.

Those who had managed to grab supplies ran off, while those who hadn't vented their frustrations on Drew's family by beating them and stealing their clothes.

The slowpokes on the 16th floor didn't get anything and even had to deal with the bodies from the two floors above. Fed up, they decided to install a door at the stairway exit. When Stella returned to the 18th floor, Angela was waiting for her in the hallway. Pulling her into the room, Angela asked, "Stella, how did you know their guns were fake?"

"I'm no expert. I wouldn't have dared to go out there if Jasper hadn't given me the go-ahead," Stella replied honestly.

Angela sensed something was off. "But he was standing at the back and didn't say a word. How did you two communicate?"

Stella was taken aback by the question. After a moment, she replied, "We live on the same floor. We've been through life and death together. Can't you see that?"

Three pairs of eyes stared at Stella. Their faces were full of implications.

"You are something," Angela said bluntly. "I share a room with Lukas, but I still can't figure out what he's thinking. Are you a mind reader?"

Lukas, who was named, pledged his loyalty immediately. "Honey, you're the only one in my eyes and in my heart!"

Cody, the only single one, groaned in silence. He had done nothing wrong, but he was repeatedly attacked by their PDAs!

Stella sensed Angela's hidden meaning. "What do you mean?"

Lukas, who was Stella's childhood friend, didn't hold back. "How far have you and Jasper gone?"

Stella wasn't naive, but she had seen the selfishness and greed of human nature in the face of the apocalypse. She had never considered falling in love in such circumstances. Even the thought of getting close to someone was off-putting. She could be friends with Lukas and Cody and fight alongside them, but she wouldn't live with them.

That was her safety zone. Not just physically, but mentally as well.

So Stella was confused. "Did you misunderstand something?"

She had Arcadia, but she didn't possess any superhuman powers defying the laws of nature. She didn't even know how long she could live in this world.

Moreover, the most frightening thing in this post-apocalyptic world wasn't a natural disaster; it's the unpredictable human heart.

Hadn't Hector's lessons been enough? How could she possibly believe in love again?

Sensing her genuine confusion, Lukas was dumbfounded. "Jasper's feelings for you were so obvious, how did you not see it?" "What was so obvious?"

Lukas facepalmed, "If he was not interested in you, why did he help you train the dog?"

"I also taught Rosie how to read."

"Among all of us, why did he only teach you to grapple?"

Stella stared at him and Cody, "Do you guys have that talent?"

Lukas and Cody, who lack the talent, remained silent.

"When you slipped on the rooftop, he burst through the door to help you."

Stella sat quietly.

"On that extremely cold night, he almost broke your door down to bring you a mink coat and a charcoal heater. We, on the other hand, received nothing!" Stella still held her silence.

"When you two were out gathering firewood, he took a blow with a brick to protect you. Then you tended to his wounds and made breakfast for him."

Stella remained quiet. The questions were too direct, forcing her to remain silent and ponder.

"Have you ever seen him care so much for anyone else? It would be weird if there's nothing going on between you two."

Lukas was experienced and boasted while hugging Angela, "Honey, the moment I saw you, I couldn't fit any other woman in my heart."

Regardless, the three of them were convinced that Stella and Jasper were more than just friends. A single glance was enough for them to understand each other. If it wasn't love, what could it be? Stella reflected on herself and finally spoke. "I don't know if he feels that way about me, but I certainly don't feel that way about him."

She admitted that if there was no apocalypse, she would definitely fall for a man like Jasper - good-looking and capable. She might even pursue him. But now, all she wanted to do was to survive. Lukas wondered, "Is it because of Hector that you don't trust men anymore? Stella, you should replace someone. Look at me. If I don't have Angela, my life would be meaningless." Stella shook her head. "We are different."

Everyone had their own ambitions. Lukas was born to be a ladies' man. If there was no Angela, there would be another woman in his life!

However, the situation was clear. Apparently, Jasper was interested in Stella, but Stella was not.

"Are you sure you won't consider him?" Lukas asked sincerely. "He's a bit cold, but he's capable and responsible. Other women are dying for him."

Stella was certain that she had no such feelings for him. Even if she did, she wouldn't be with him. She couldn't afford the price of having her secret exposed.

Who knew if there was an end to this post-apocalyptic world? Countless stout-hearted individuals were corrupted. Their hearts were tainted after round after round of devastating natural calamities.

Who could assert that their hearts would never change? Even Stella, herself, couldn't guarantee such a thing. How then, could she expect it of others?