18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 186

They eliminated The Chaos with good luck, while the situation with Silver Asylum was different. It was not feasible for two people to face off against a base with over 200 members. Hiding wasn't a viable option either. If they could find this place, they could surely find any other hideout.

Silver Asylum seemed to be a motley crew, but it seemed that things weren't as simple as they appeared.

"We'll take things one step at a time," Jasper contemplated, "I have a few bulletproof vests in storage, including one that should fit Rosie. You find it."

Stella headed into the Arcadia to look for it, and sure enough, he had a few spares. They were a bit big for Rosie, but she could just about squeeze into one.

"Do you know how to adjust it?" asked Jasper, inspecting the bulletproof vest, "Get one ready for Cooper as well."

Stella wasn't the most skilled, but she was willing to give it a shot. Bulletproof vests were very valuable; she was worried she might ruin it. She took numerous measurements to ensure a decent fit for the dog. Thankfully, Cooper was very cooperative.

She managed to adjust the vest overnight. Once worn, Cooper looked rather formidable. "Don't take it off. Keep it on from now on."

Neither of them said it, but they both knew that Silver Asylum wouldn't back down easily now that they had made their move. The plan to move had to be put on hold, lest they endanger someone else.

That night, Jasper bolted the rooftop door shut, checked the stainless steel door on the sixteenth floor, and turned up the electricity to max. He ensured that all the doors and windows on the seventeenth floor were properly shut. He rigged a trap, hooking a wire onto the doors and windows, which was attached to a mini-alarm. Any forced entry would send the alarm crashing to the floor with a shrill noise.

Late at night, Stella got up to go back to her room 1802 to sleep, but was stopped by Jasper. "It's not safe to separate. Stay here, there's plenty of room."

Makes sense. What if they got separated during an attack?

She pondered and then said, "I'll sleep with Rosie."

Jasper looked at her in silence. Stella felt a little awkward and looked away. "I won't eat you," Jasper said, staring at her.

The master bedroom was spacious and neat. Lying in bed, Stella couldn't help but feel nervous. Once the light was out, Jasper snuggled up to her, "Sleep, don't overthink."

She’s not overthinking! She knew all too well that he wanted to have sex.

Fortunately, he was content with just hugging her.

After a tiring day, she drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, there was an extra weight on her. Stella woke with a start, thinking Jasper was getting frisky. But it turned out to be Cooper who had jumped onto the bed, growling anxiously with his teeth bared.

Jasper jumped up immediately and started to get dressed, "Someone broke in."

He put on his bulletproof vest and armed himself, "I'll go check it out. You stay with Rosie."

Stella instantly became alert. Without turning on the lights, she dressed in the dark, went to Rosie's room, helped her into a bulletproof vest, and then tucked her under the bed. "Rosie, stay still and don't move. No matter what happens, don't come out unless we call you," she said.

She wanted to shove Cooper under there as well but he had already run off after Jasper.

She put on her night vision goggles, grabbed her weapon, and stepped outside.

A few shadowy figures, with their insulated gloves, had managed to unlock the electrified stainless steel doors and were sneaking up.

They thought they were clever and undetectable. Little did they know that they had already been detected by Cooper.

Jasper went halfway down the stairs, waiting for them to stumble into his trap in the darkness.

The intruders' flashlights were dim and for a moment they didn't notice the thin wire at their feet. They tripped over it, setting off the alarm. They were taken aback, "Damn, it's a trap!"

At the same moment, gunfire rang out.

The dim light and the stairs as cover made for an intense firefight.

Stella arrived shortly after and managed to take one down with the advantage of defense.

A loud 'thud' resonated, along with sparks. Almost immediately, Cooper started barking sharply.

Damn, it was a bomb!