18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 18

However, the man's raft seemed to be packed with supplies. In these times, he who had more supplies was in danger.

Taking advantage of the blurred visibility, she reached behind to grab two backpacks from Arcadia, and then paddled forward.

This man’s stature and his height looked familiar. It had to be the man from 1801, Jasper. Even with a raincoat and mask on, she recognized him instantly. No wonder Rosie was so healthy. She was being fed by him, who scavenged everyday.

Birds of a feather had nothing to be embarrassed about.

Jasper also recognized the woman in the mask as Stella. He nodded a quick greeting in the pouring rain. After securing his kayak, he reached out to help. Stella was not one to put on airs and passed over the two waterproof backpacks, allowing him to assist her onto the dock before she carefully stowed the rubber boat.

Neither spoke a word as they carried the supplies up the stairs. Jasper had a lot of supplies. He would probably need to take several trips. Stella helped him carry a couple of bags.

Back on the 18th floor, they shared a quick glance before turning to unlock their respective doors.

Once inside, Stella drank a bowl of hot ginger tea sweetened with brown sugar, changed out of her wet clothes, and hurriedly showered and dried her hair. Outside, dawn was breaking and Jasper had already moved all his supplies. She wiped the water stains in the hallway and then knocked on Angela's door.

The couple, thinking they were being robbed, came out brandishing a knife.

Stella handed Angela $2000, speaking in a low voice, “The storm has passed. You should leave quietly as soon as possible. Try not to let anyone notice. The supermarket on University Hill has four floors. It sits on high ground, so it probably isn't completely flooded. I remember that the owner's family lives in the supermarket. They might open for business. Don’t worry about the prices. Just buy food that will keep you full and last a while.”

On her way back, she had purposely detoured to check the supermarket. Its lights were on, and several kayaks were parked outside.

The disaster had caught everyone off guard. Both the supermarkets and wholesale markets were flooded, and it was quite possible that even the national grain reserves in the city had been flooded. Almost all the food was underwater. Even if the military wanted to provide aid, they would be helpless. That’s why there was no aid.

Outside, chaos ensued as people fought for food to survive.

Stella remembered clearly from her previous life. The supermarket had been nationalized by the government and had opened its doors early for limited purchases. The citizens could buy items on a first-come-first-serve basis, cash only. In an era of electronic payments, who still used cash? And how many people had thought to withdraw cash before the storm?

So, those who didn't have cash but wanted to live, had no choice but to resort to violence. Policemen had guns, but who would dare to shoot at starving civilians? And with few bullets, who would they shoot?

They were all human, after all, and no one wanted to commit a crime. People’s money was just numbers, either in the bank or in their PayPal accounts. They couldn't take it out!

One afternoon, Stella swam to the supermarket with a plastic bucket. Everything had been looted, and there were horrifying bloodstains all over the floor and walls.

Angela was startled. "Will the supermarket really open?"