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, "Don't encourage Rosie

riled up, her small fists clenched as she declared, "Fighting is easy. If anyone dares to bully

fight with someone else today, she realized that she wasn't weak. Jasper was just too strong.

"Rosie, what did you get for

some tools, textbooks, a

she was currently wearing on her head, made her look

lose out on brother's fish? Cody and Lukas said we only

you think it's worth it, it's

and anyway, Jasper wasn't short

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

"I have plenty. You

"Lukas and Cody are hooked. They want to go again tomorrow. Do

days. You go have fun." No

at the idea of a day

and language. When Rosie finished her homework, Stella sat on the couch to continue her project. Finally, she had finished her first thermal suit for

thermal suit, with a hole for Cooper's

should be another hole. Not wanting to put

had just come out

was blunt,

realized her mistake and immediately covered her mouth, looking at Stella

insulted Cooper bit at the suit: 'Get this ugly thing

way, Cooper is

even more handsome

looked at

"I'm not lying, my dog is the most handsome on

and nuzzled into her

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

Jasper came to pick up Rosie. Stella stopped him and handed him

"Keep it."

surprised. This was a life-saving tool, and he was just giving it