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.

at his ear, "Don't encourage

as she declared, "Fighting is easy. If anyone

inadequate. She trained hard every day, but was no match for her brother. But after getting into a fight with someone else

"Rosie, what did you get for

got some tools, textbooks,

fluffy hairband, which she was currently wearing on her head, made

did we lose out on brother's fish?

you think it's worth it,

and anyway, Jasper wasn't short

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

refused, "I have

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

thanks, I'm staying home for a few days. You go have fun." No need

gleefully at the

her homework, Stella sat on the couch to continue her project. Finally, she had finished her first thermal suit for Cooper. She

cold was brutal, so Stella had made a onesie thermal suit, with a hole for Cooper's tail. There was

should be another hole. Not wanting to put diapers on

he had just come out

was blunt,

her mouth, looking at Stella with innocent eye.

bit at the suit: 'Get this ugly

Cooper is the most handsome dog

isn't ugly. He's even more handsome than my brother, and the suit Stella made

looked at

head, "I'm not lying, my dog

her arms: 'If I'm so handsome, make me

green fabric. While making the suit, she observed Cooper's reactions. Unfortunately, his thick fur meant he didn't feel the change in temperature now, so he didn't react to the suit. When she finished the second suit, she used the leftover fabric to make a suit for

up Rosie. Stella stopped him and handed him a nail gun, "I almost forgot to return this to

"Keep it."

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