18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 320

Collin's office was a testament to his dedication. It was a cluttered sanctuary where suits mingled with sleeping bags, hinting at countless nights spent far from the comforts of home.

Stella wasn't one to come empty-handed; she brought gifts that breathed of old-world charm—a box of aged Earl Grey tea. This was no ordinary tea; its value increased with time, much like a fine wine, provided it was stored properly. To enhance its vintage allure, she had deliberately scuffed the tin with sandpaper.

Her offering was more than a gift; it was a token of respect. "Dr. Collin, I didn't present you with a mentor's gift last time. I'm making it right now—please, you mustn't refuse."

Although tea couldn't fill a stomach, it nourished the soul. Collin knew the worth of such a gift and was reluctant to accept it, but Stella was persistent. "It's not a bribe, just a traditional mentor's gift. It's something to lift your spirits during those long hours of toil."

The gift box was hefty, packed with two pounds of tea—enough to revitalize not just Collin but his colleagues as well.

Despite his protests, Collin capitulated. His heart was warmed by the familiar aroma he hadn't encountered for many years, a luxury from a bygone era.

Collin had once enjoyed a modest cup of tea with his mentor, nothing fancy but deeply cherished. Now, with this premium gift in hand, he planned to pay homage to his old teacher.

He led them to the archives, a place where the sudden cataclysm had ravaged much, though thanks to Stella's scanning pen, electronic copies of precious data were preserved amidst the wreckage of failing computers.

Collin was generous with his knowledge and eager to share with those who hungered for learning. Stella was well-prepared and armed with high-capacity USB drives ready to absorb every byte of information they were willing to offer.

To express her gratitude, Stella presented Collin with a laptop, gently used but still efficient—a tool she believed would be indispensable to their research.

Collin's joy in accepting the laptop was palpable, and he soon introduced Stella to Hugh, a colleague with a wealth of expertise in surgery. Hugh, once known affectionately as the “chubby angel” among his peers, had withstood the erratic demands of his profession—the endless hours in the OR, irregular meals, and a battle with the bulge that seemed unwinnable.

Now, as lean as a bolt of lightning, Hugh was intrigued by Stella's self-taught surgical skills. As they discussed the nuances of trauma surgery, it became clear she was both bold and meticulous.

Impressed by her skill, Hugh tested her suturing technique with a piece of leather and was satisfied enough to take her on as his apprentice, providing her with his self-authored textbooks—precious resources on emergency treatment and postoperative care. They were printed on valuable paper, and the ink was densely packed on each page.

In the spirit of tradition, Stella offered Hugh a box of Earl Grey as a mentor’s gift.

With new knowledge in hand, Stella drove back to Griffith. Her heart felt light with accomplishment. But as she neared her building, a wail of grief echoed from number 28—a reminder of the daily tragedies in this new world. She continued to her own door, only to be halted by a neighbor on patrol.

“Stella, you’re back?” the neighbor asked, a note of urgency in her voice.

Stella nodded, puzzled by the concern.

“If you had returned just a few hours earlier, old Lyle might have been saved.”