18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 15

Stella, in her pajamas, stepped onto the balcony. The hurricane was still fierce, but the wind was noticeably beginning to weaken, while the rain was intensifying. The second floor was entirely flooded, and water was creeping up to the third floor, causing a flurry of chaos in the building.

She had breakfast, a warm, crunchy sandwich from Arcadia, filled with fried eggs, ham, greens, and ketchup. The aroma unfurled delightfully on her taste buds. Stella had stockpiled over a hundred of these sandwiches in Arcadia, enough to last her a good while. Delicious as they were, they were a bit greasy. She made herself a cup of honey tea, sipping it as she flipped through her second-year pharmacology textbook.

At around ten o'clock, there was a knock at the door. She assumed it was Angela, but it turned out to be the resident from 1801, Jasper.

Stella was surprised. He was usually a loner, a man of few words. Even though Rosie often came to visit Stella, Stella had hardly spoken to Jasper. Suddenly, Stella was on her guard.

Jasper, with a stern face, looked anxious. "Rosie is ill. Can you help?"

Stella was shocked. "What kind of illness does she have?"

"She has a fever, she's throwing up, and has diarrhea. She's talking nonsense."

Sick people would usually go to the hospital, but with the hurricane going on, it was impossible to leave. Stella warned Jasper, "I can help, but I only have basic medical knowledge. Don't put all your hopes on me."

"Thank you."

Considering that he helped her before, Stella reluctantly agreed to visit Rosie. She returned to her room and tucked a folded fruit knife into her pocket.

living room was furnished with vintage pieces, all neat and organized, worlds apart from her own messy place. These days, men who could keep houses well organized were

windows on the balcony and the triple-layered

but also had a rash. Her usually bright eyes were now listless.

examining her bruised body, Stella realized her medical skills were rudimentary, but they would have to suffice. Stella turned to Jasper. "Rosie is weak.

had caused a stress response in her body, lowering

of Rosie's illness, Jasper's face was filled with guilt.

Rosie never complained about being tired, and even laughed off the pain when Jasper massaged her bruises. He handed Stella a medicine

suffice. Stella selected some

of balm. "Apply this four to five times

happen to have some medicinal herbs here. Could you help

brought out two large bags of individually packaged

were used for promoting blood circulation and stopping blood stasis. "Put them in a glass jar, add a liter of vodka, seal it, and it should be ready for use in half a

ginseng among the herbs and singled it out. "This can also be soaked. Drinking it in cold weather not only warms the body but also replenishes energy and blood. However, it is not suitable for children." Rosie fell asleep shortly after taking the medicine but kept talking

was pitiful, with tears hanging on her eyelashes. Her pale little mouth kept murmuring, "Mommy, I want mommy.

away Rosie's tears, and comforting her with a guilty tone,

and recognized that he cared for his sister, but his methods were

leave, Jasper stopped her and handed her a pack

in these times, they could keep a person alive

jar to soak some sugar in vodka. "I'm always advising others, but always forget about myself." In the extreme cold, enjoying a cup of this mix by the fireplace

pounds of grapes, washed and dried them on her balcony