18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 58

"Hey, sis Stella, I know." Rosie raised her hand to answer first, "Cooper caught the fish, and he won't let us eat it."

What? That was strange. Stella was utterly confused. How could her adorable puppy be so selfish?

"Woof!" Cooper tugged at her sleeve and pulled her towards the dining table. A big bowl of fried fish fillets sat on the table, their aroma making her mouth water.

Cooper stood on his hind legs, leaning on the table and nudged the bowl of fish forward: 'Here, have some!'

Stella looked puzzled, turning to Angela and the others for answers.

After they finished marinated the fish chunks, Stella hadn't returned. They thought they couldn't rely on her for everything, so they put their heads together and managed to whip up the fried fish.

But then Cooper fiercely guarded the fish, not allowing anyone else to touch it. He was drooling himself, and yet, he wouldn't let anyone else have a bite.

They were usually democratic. After all, Cooper was the one who had caught the fish. And right now, he was the the big boss with maxed-out survival skills in their group, so no one dared to cross him. Despite their hunger, they had to hold back. Cody was so hungry he was pleading, "Hurry up and eat. We're starving."

Stella chuckled, "Our Cooper is so great. He's even taking care of me now."

Cooper barked excitedly, "Woof!" His eyes sparkled as if he were saying: 'Hey, I'm taking care of you!'

Stella grabbed a piece of fried fish and took a bite. It was crispy, fresh, and delicious. Their survival group had finally started to make progress in cooking.

Watching the clever dog, Stella decided to tease him, "Cooper, I've had my share. Who's next?"

"Woof, woof!" Cooper wagged his tail vigorously, drool dripping from his mouth.

Stella understood and put a piece in his bowl, "Who's next?"

at Rosie's pant leg. One by one, he chose Angela, Cody, Lukas, and finally Jasper. Cooper seemed quite pleased with his decision

than Stella, and he could understand Cooper favoring the kid. As his trainer, he was strict during their lessons, but he always rewarded Cooper for completing his tasks. He never expected to be Cooper's least favorite person.

meals and

the recipient of Cooper's undivided attention, was in high spirits. She took out two smart bathtubs filled with hot water from Arcadia, sprinkled

on his head, was lying in the bathtub, cocking his head to look at Stella. His bright dog

the bath, they both snuggled into their blankets and

state, Stella heard a soft buzzing sound, "Stella, are you awake?" Her eyes would not

clock went off and Stella woke up. It was four thirty in the morning. She got up groggily to change her clothes and

walkie-talkie but couldn't find

saw Cooper lying in his dogbed, not moving, and complained, "Cooper,

his lazy

"Buzz...buzz..."

It was right by her bed. How could it

to search under her bed

"Move aside."

didn't move,

in thought. She bent down and picked him

blinked his innocent eyes: 'Huh, how did the

walkie-talkie that had been covered by Cooper had

disinfect it, then wiped it clean

mischievous Cooper in the early morning, Stella didn't know how to respond, "Are you staying

and dragged his combat gear over. Stella quickly helped

they rushed out the door, Jasper and Cody were already waiting. Angela was holding a still-sleeping

the residential area, with Mikey and his family waiting on

over, vaguely seeing Mikey's parents Joey and Amber, both in their

off towards Ivywood Estates. By the time they arrived, it was almost seven o'clock and the sky was starting to

up their things and trekked through the rain in the mountains. Cooper led the way, bounding ahead. 'Another day, another chance for Cooper to feed