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.

spacious three-bedroom layout with a good arrangement and good lighting. The living room was furnished with vintage pieces, all neat and organized, worlds apart from her own messy place. These

double-glazed windows on the balcony and the triple-layered stainless steel door. The entire apartment was fortified like a

also had a rash. Her usually

have to suffice. Stella turned to Jasper. "Rosie is weak. Moderate exercise

in a short period of time had caused a stress response in her body, lowering her immunity and causing a cold, hence

learning the cause of Rosie's illness, Jasper's face was filled with guilt. "It's my fault.

handed Stella a medicine box filled with a variety of drugs, "Stella, which ones can we use?" If all

the symptoms would suffice. Stella selected some

Stella went home and brought back a bottle of balm. "Apply this four to five times a

to have some medicinal herbs here. Could you help me see which ones

He brought out two large

promoting blood circulation and stopping blood stasis. "Put them in a glass

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

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

sat by the bed, gently wiping away Rosie's tears, and comforting her with a guilty tone, "Don't be scared, Rosie. Your brother

Jasper's eyes and recognized that he cared

about to leave, Jasper stopped her and handed

noodles were only a few cents before the disaster, but in these times, they could keep a person alive for several more days. Stella didn't

advising others, but always forget about myself."

out a few pounds of grapes, washed and dried them on her balcony in Arcadia, ready to