18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 47

After receiving a sweet kiss from his owner, Cooper was so elated that he started spinning in circles, nearly wetting himself in excitement. Rosie, not to be outdone, clung to her arm, "Stella, it's so scary outside. There's water everywhere. It's flooding the houses, but Rosie isn't scared." "That's my brave girl."

Rewarding the two with a piece of candy each, Stella headed downstairs to assist in carrying firewood. The water tank was massive, and it took the strength of three men to hoist it up to the roof.

After securing the inflatable boat and rubber raft upstairs, Angela unzipped her large backpack to reveal a plastic bag containing a snake and two wild rabbits.

"We had to travel far, to Ivywood Estates. The place is almost entirely submerged underwater. The water tank was Jasper's idea. We planned to head straight back after getting it but Cooper dashed off into the hills." Fearing for Cooper's safety, they hurriedly pursued him, only to find him engaged in a battle with a snake. With quick reflexes, Jasper managed to decapitate the snake with a military shovel.

The group was thrilled about the extra food brought in by the snake, but Cooper was still not ready to leave.

Unable to argue with the dog, they continued to collect firewood as they ventured deeper into the hills, where Cooper found a rabbit burrow.

"Stella, you've struck gold. This isn't just a dog. It's practically a godsend."

Stella chuckled, "Cooper has spent years surviving on the streets. He's much stronger than us."

Angela was amazed, "I've never seen a dog so smart. He even climbed trees. If it hadn't been for Jasper, we wouldn't have been able to control him. He was so unwilling to return home even after dark."

Greed was a dog's nature; only a dog that had experienced hunger would have the desperate urge to hoard food. Thinking back to the pig they hunted last time, it was no wonder Cooper was reluctant to come back.

Stella didn't go out, but she contributed by guarding the home, and her dog was a great hunter, so they agreed to share the spoils equally. She didn't want to take advantage of the situation, but Angela and the others insisted, "Cooper is one of us. He's contributed as much as any of us have. If you feel bad, then take charge of the cooking. We'll assist."

In the end, Stella didn't cook, instead, she guided Jasper in the kitchen.

The snake was skinned and gutted, then stewed with a bowl of black beans in the pressure cooker. The two plump rabbits were prepared two ways: one braised, and the other grilled. They also had a stir-fry of fresh vegetables and a bowl of mixed grain rice. Everyone was thoroughly satisfied.

out again tomorrow," Cody asked, "Would you

be any food left, but much

roof was a great asset, and they planned to bring back a couple more. Each household could then have one, eliminating the need to

back more? Even

taken aback, but soon agreed with his proposal. Jasper and Stella both had strong survival skills; it wouldn't hurt to listen

we need to leave one

staying at home all day, "I'll go, but we have to

"Woof!" Cooper agreed.

eagerly raised her hand, "I can help

wanted her to experience the outside world, "Alright, but no

won't cry," Rosie rubbed her bottom, "I fell today and

at base camp, and Cooper would fight on

noise suddenly came from downstairs. The noise continued for a while without stopping. Stella was awakened by the noise, but seeing Cooper lying in his doghouse motionless, she rolled over and went back to sleep. In the morning, she was still in bed, but Cooper already excitedly pulled at her blanket. It was time for the Stella to clean up after him. They had work to

and fed him chicken breast mixed with dog food. She applied some ointment to his skin rash, put on his raincoat,

forgetting to look back at her. It was as if he was saying: Hey,

him a hug,

and Rosie came out in her raincoat, "Stella, I want a

must have talked to her, as the little girl was becoming more confident in expressing her feelings. She greeted Angela and the others one by one, a stark contrast to the shy and scared little girl they first met. Cooper was the last to leave,

balcony. After a while, she saw the group paddling away in

sooner had they left, Drew's team followed in their rubber raft. Not only Drew, but Hector and others also followed, along with

18th floor had become a beacon. They were all puzzled. They were all going out to find supplies, so why was it that the 18th floor always managed to return with a bounty, while they couldn't even find firewood? How could there

beat them or join them, they would just have to try to keep

were quite a few who were secretly

watched, she wasn't worried. Jasper would be able to shake them