18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 65

The first time Rosie got into a fight, it left a deep impression on her young mind. She clung to Jasper's neck, "When I grow up, I'll protect you too." "Alright."

"I'll protect Stella too, and Cooper."

"Alright."

Next, they sold fish, with Jasper showing her the ropes.

Stella listened silently. Jasper's teaching methods were rough, but in a world where order had collapsed, maybe Rosie would have been worse off if they'd stuck to the old ways of kindness and gentleness. "Yes, what your brother taught you isn't wrong."

Curious, Stella asked Rosie, "Have you ever been hungry or been beaten up?"

Rosie lowered her head, nervously fiddling with her clothes.

"That's okay. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"When Jasper didn't come home, I was so hungry. My cousin bullied me, and my aunt scolded me."

"Do you want to go through that again?"

"No!" Rosie shook her head vehemently, her voice tinged with a sob. "I don't want to."

"Well, remember that feeling. If anyone ever treats you like that again, you fight back. Don't be afraid. They can't beat you."

"But my aunt said the police would take me away."

"As long as you're not the one starting trouble, the police won't take you away." Stella comforted the little girl, "Today, when you fought, the police didn't come to get you, did they?"

Relieved, Rosie said, "I'll listen to Stella and Jasper. No one will bully me anymore."

Cooper growled his agreement from the side.

ear,

clenched as she declared, "Fighting is easy. If anyone dares to bully me, I'll beat

into a fight with someone else today,

"Rosie, what did you

"We got some tools, textbooks, a dress,

she was currently wearing on her head, made

brother's fish? Cody

as you think it's worth

different needs, and anyway, Jasper wasn't short

exchange were more practical: two packs of salt, dried vegetables, sanitary pads, and a lighter. Angela passed her

have

Cody are hooked. They want to go again tomorrow. Do you want to

days.

at the idea of

Rosie finished her homework, Stella sat on the couch to continue her project. Finally,

had made a onesie thermal suit, with a hole for Cooper's

hole. Not wanting to put diapers on

he had just come out of a coal mine with this black

was blunt, "It

and immediately covered her mouth, looking at Stella

'Get this ugly thing

way, Cooper is the most handsome dog in the

ugly. He's even more

at Stella, "Woof!"

head, "I'm not lying, my

was pleased with that and nuzzled into her arms:

she finished the second suit, she used the leftover fabric to make a suit for Smoky and

pick up Rosie. Stella stopped him and handed

"Keep it."

tool, and he was just giving it