18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 588

The giant moths were huge, their wingspan almost the size of a hand. Their powdery scales flaked off and filled the air as they fluttered around.

These moths weren’t afraid of people at all, even diving at Stella and her fearless dogs, Wolfheart and Doglungs. Despite their usual bravado, the pair backed away, their barks all bark and no bite.

Stella quickly shut the door, just as her siblings, Jasper and Rosie, emerged to see what the fuss was about. She rushed into Arcadia to check on her dogs. Their eyes were red and swollen, and they were sneezing and tearing up—definitely not a good sign.

The moths' powder was toxic.

Most moths have harmless powder that helps them retain moisture and reflect light. Some people might experience mild allergies, but for Wolfheart and Doglungs, the reaction was severe—bloodshot eyes and rapid allergic symptoms.

Given the moths' vibrant colors, Stella knew they were in trouble. In these apocalyptic times, anything could happen.

She tried to wash the dogs' paws and eyes, but before she could start, she began coughing and rubbing her own itchy eyes.

Stella quickly rinsed her eyes with saline solution, used eye drops, and took some antihistamines. Soon, Jasper and Rosie also started showing symptoms. With their medical knowledge, they jumped into action.

Worried about Daniel and Vanessa, Stella suited up in protective gear, an N95 mask, and a face shield after treating herself, Jasper, Rosie, and the dogs. She hurried next door, where moths were swarming everywhere.

Stella had been woken by her dogs, but Daniel and Vanessa were early risers and had already noticed the moth invasion. They were trying to fend off the moths with household tools, but it only seemed to attract more.

Stella grabbed an insecticide spray and went to town on the moths. It took nearly a whole bottle to drive them away, filling the air with the scent of chemicals.

The sight of moths everywhere made Vanessa's skin crawl. "Where did all these moths come from?" she asked, her face pale.

Stella ushered them inside, shut the windows, and set up an air purifier. “The moth powder is toxic. It can cause allergic reactions if inhaled or if it gets in your eyes…”

She handed out saline, eye drops, and anti-inflammatory and antihistamine medications. Vanessa, being a head nurse, knew exactly what to do.

“Change into clean clothes, start your desensitization treatment, and make sure to drink plenty of water,” Stella advised, leaving them with protective gear and warning them to stay inside for now. This moth infestation was going to be a tough one.

The moths had appeared out of nowhere, and their powder was causing discomfort quickly. People were coughing, wheezing, their skin itching with red spots, and their eyes were painfully swollen.

Daniel, who had a history of pneumonia, needed extra care, so Stella brought two oxygen canisters. After sanitizing their home and purifying the air, Jasper helped next door, while Rosie, worried about the poultry farm, donned her protective suit and drove out.

Daniel’s breathing eased, and he coordinated with the base via walkie-talkie. Alarms blared across the base: a moth disaster was upon them.

The hospital, experienced and quick to react, broadcast instructions: close all windows and doors, stay inside, wash eyes with clean water if symptoms appear, and seek medical attention if needed, but use proper protection.

All medical staff were ordered to report immediately.

He hadn’t expected the moth disaster. High-ranking officers and technical experts were likely affected and couldn’t afford any accidents. He had already sent medical staff their way, but what good would that do without the medicine?

Stella remembered the staff officer had a heart condition; indeed, this was a dire situation.

“I’ll go check on the guesthouse,” she decided, feeling somehow responsible for the calamity.

Daniel considered for a moment, “Be careful.”

So, Stella headed for the guesthouse, while Jasper went to the farm. With the moths contaminating the water supply, Stella brought several large containers of purified water from Arcadia and saline from Union Base. The farmworkers’ safety had to be ensured.

They split up, Stella rushing to the guesthouse, which was in chaos. Some were vomiting and had diarrhea, others couldn’t stop crying, and some had scratched their skin bloody. The hospital had sent a couple of medical personnel to clean eyes with boiled and cooled water and to treat them with herbal remedies.

The hospital was in utter chaos, with patients overflowing the hallways and the medical staff stretched to their absolute limit. Cries for help echoed off the sterile walls, an unending soundtrack to the crisis at hand.

Stella had been on the lookout, her eyes scanning the crowds for any sign of Staff Officer Si and his team, which included Justice among others. But they were nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, she stopped a passing nurse to inquire about their whereabouts.

“Oh, they left at the crack of dawn with a group of experts to tour Griffith Base,” the nurse replied, dabbing at her forehead with a sleeve. “Haven’t seen them since.”

Stella’s mind whirred into overdrive. What could have prompted Staff Officer Si and his team to rush off to Griffith Base so urgently? She tried to piece together their possible motives, considering the lay of the land and the unfolding situation they were all entangled in.