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.

tugged at his ear, "Don't encourage Rosie to

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

She trained hard every day, but was no match for her brother. But after getting into a fight with someone else today, she realized that she wasn't weak. Jasper was just too strong. The boy who tried to steal her candy couldn't even beat her

subject, Stella asked, "Rosie, what did you get for the fish you

some tools, textbooks, a dress,

which she was currently wearing on her head, made her look even more

brother's fish? Cody

long as you think

different needs, and anyway, Jasper

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

have plenty.

didn't insist, "Lukas and Cody are hooked. They want to go again tomorrow. Do you

thanks, I'm staying home for a few days.

laughed gleefully at the idea of a day

the rest of the day teaching Rosie math and language. When Rosie finished her homework, Stella sat on the couch to continue her project. Finally, she

for Cooper's tail. There was another hole at the rear end, so he could

should be another hole. Not wanting to put diapers on

come out of a coal

was blunt, "It looks

covered her mouth, looking at Stella

Cooper bit at the suit: 'Get this ugly thing off me.

way, Cooper is the most handsome dog in the

He's even more handsome than my brother, and the suit Stella

looked at Stella,

lying, my dog is the

into her

he didn't react to the suit. When she finished the second suit, she used the leftover fabric to make a suit for Smoky and Snowy. It wasn't pretty,

noon, Jasper came to pick up Rosie. Stella stopped him and handed him a nail

"Keep it."

tool, and he was