18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 10

Two days later, the first floor was completely flooded. Stella stood on the balcony, and saw quite a few people daringly swimming out of the neighborhood.

Here, the terrain was higher, and the water wasn't rushing too much, but outside was a different story. Whether those who swam out could swim back depended on luck.

Angela sent a message, saying she decided to move over immediately. She and Lukas lived in Unit 3, just about 50 yards away from Stella's building.

Feeling a bit worried, Stella fetched her binoculars and kept an eye out. About half an hour later, an inflatable rubber boat appeared in the water. There was stuff on the boat, Lukas sat on it, wearing a disposable raincoat, paddling with an oar, while Angela was in the water, pulling the boat with all her strength.

Stella went downstairs with her trash, planning to meet them on the second floor. She ran into Sadie coming out of 1202 on the 12th floor. Sadie was wearing a polka-dot dress that didn't quite fit her. Her eyes lit up when she saw Stella, "Stella."

Only five days had passed, but she had already lost her initial dazzling aura. She was not only thinner but also looked pale and haggard. Stella ignored her and continued downstairs with her trash.

"Stella, are you mad at me?" Sadie followed, her voice sweet and weak, "If I did something wrong, you can point it out."

Stella warned her with a stern face, "Stay away from me."

However, Sadie seemed to ignore her, and continued to follow, "Stella, actually, me and Hector are not what you think. We're just good friends. I feel quite connected with you."

Stella stopped in her tracks, threw the trash in her hand at Sadie, "Can't you hear what I'm saying, or is there something wrong with your brain?"

Caught off guard, Sadie was hit straight on. Her gentle demeanor instantly disappeared, and she angrily yelled, "What the hell?"

"Sadie, I don't care if you freeload off others, but don't think about using me."

This statement made the face of the girl living in 1202 turn sour. She looked at Stella, her emotions resembled a roller coaster ride.

"What are you talking about?" Sadie, even with her good temper, couldn't stand it anymore, "We go to the same school. I was just saying hi."

"Why are you following me around like a puppy? You're messaging me all the time. Do you think I'm stupid?"

"You..." Sadie's face turned red, and she began to yell, "Your house is overflowing with food, while others are starving. Why don't you share your food with those in need?"

Stella took out the kitchen knife hidden in her clothes, swung it at Sadie's face, "When did you see my house overflowing with food? You're like a leech, sucking the life out of one household and onto the next. Who isn't starving? Why should I give you the food that's keeping me alive, because you have no shame and sell your body to live?"

Even in the extreme cold, she had hooked up with several men, using the stolen Arcadia to store the supplies that she took from them, to keep herself looking bright and shiny in the filthy and grim apocalypse.

Whether it was her choice, or Hector's, was not known. In the chaos of the apocalypse, trading your body for food was not a rare occurrence.

Sadie screamed and backed away, hitting the wall behind her. She was pale and shaking all over. She never thought that Stella would swing a knife at her, and for a moment she was too shocked to speak.

The commotion was too loud, and the neighbors who heard it opened their doors. Stella ignored their glances and continued downstairs, hearing Sadie start to cry.

In the time that Stella was delayed, Angela swam over in the storm. Humans were fragile in the face of major disasters. A mere 50 yards almost cost them their lives.

Stella pulled Lukas in through the window, then several backpacks and bags, then the rubber boat, and finally Angela who was soaked in water.

The residents on the second floor were also busy moving. Living without water, electricity, and gas was not easy. Even if they had rice, flour, oil, and grain, they had no way to cook. Some used vodka as fuel, some chopped up their furniture to burn, and some were so hungry that they ate raw rice and got diarrhea.