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.

1801 for the first time, she noted the 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

and the triple-layered stainless steel door. The entire apartment was

but also had a rash. Her usually bright eyes were

to suffice. Stella turned to Jasper. "Rosie is weak. Moderate exercise could improve her strength and immunity, but she should

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

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

bruises. He handed Stella a medicine

and treating the symptoms would suffice. Stella selected some medicines for the cold, and for the stomach problems,

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

I happen to have some medicinal herbs

out two large

dozen types, all of which 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

but also

her eyelashes. Her pale little mouth kept

sat by the bed, gently wiping away Rosie's tears, and comforting her with a guilty

recognized that he cared for

handed her a pack of instant noodles. "Thank

the disaster, but in these times, they could keep a person alive for several more days. Stella didn't refuse and

some sugar in vodka. "I'm always advising others, but always forget

pounds of grapes, washed and dried