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,

she declared,

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

asked, "Rosie, what did you get for the fish you sold

"We got some tools,

was currently wearing on her head, made her look

brother's fish? Cody and Lukas

as you think it's worth it, it's

different needs, and anyway,

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

have

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

days. You go have fun." No need

the idea

the couch to continue her project. Finally, she had finished her first thermal suit for Cooper.

a hole for Cooper's tail. There was

to put diapers on Cooper, she cut another

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

blunt,

looking at

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

comforted him, "No way, Cooper is the most handsome

even more handsome than my brother, and

at Stella, "Woof!"

not lying, my dog is the most handsome on

and nuzzled into her arms: 'If I'm so handsome,

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 Smoky and Snowy. It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't about looking good. As long as it kept them warm, it was good

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

"Keep it."

tool, and