18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 84

Though Stella was hard at work, she was aware that Cooper, their faithful dog, was a trustworthy companion. Yet, she couldn't fully turn her back on him, and often glanced over her shoulder as though expecting a sneak attack. Suddenly, she saw Rosie pulling out a Swiss army knife from her bag. Wait, what? Little Rosie knew how to handle a knife now?! Without thinking, she turned to Jasper. "Did you teach her that?" Jasper didn't deny it. "Is it wrong?"

"No, no. It's...it's great."

The harsh realities of life forced growth. From hurricanes to floods and freezing cold, many innocent children had indeed learned the ways of survival. Rosie couldn't be left behind. If she was, it would be like inviting the Grim Reaper to their door. A harsh lesson it was, sure, but it was effective.

Chopping bamboo was quick. They cut them into equal lengths and bundled them together with some rope. Rosie volunteered to drag the bundle back. Jasper tied a few pieces for her, warning her not to get tired halfway. "I'll bring these back home."

There were many people around. Some children were dressed in tattered clothes, but all of them were chopping wood with determination. Seeing them, Rosie felt motivated to work even harder.

After preparing the bamboo, Jasper asked Stella, "Do you need firewood?"

Arcadia had plenty of firewood, but it wasn't easy to actually use it. "What about you?"

""Maybe a little?"

So, they cut down a pine tree together, planning to split it and bring it back.

The Moore family's father and son, each chopped down a pine tree, but it was a struggle to bring them back. They were academics and not used to such manual labor.

The climb uphill was tough, but the descent was even more challenging. The snow had turned into icy shards. If they slipped, they would tumble down the hill, possibly losing their lives.

at a time. Rosie was leading the way with her Swiss army knife, while Cooper guarded their rear. They

it all but felt a pang of sympathy too. Natural disasters had forced children to grow up

the situation, dragged a sled over. Stella loaded the sled with the heavy wood. Then, she put the bundled bamboo on top of the wood. Cooper tried to pull the sled, but it was too heavy. He growled in

bamboo. The ice made

hand and dragging a large bundle of bamboo with the other, looking as if it was an

watched them

again, and to his surprise, it moved easily. He turned around and

received many envious looks from others. This dog was amazing, and much easier

The three men dragging firewood from behind suddenly rushed up, two with knives and one with a brick. The one with the knife went straight for Jasper, while the one with the brick charged at Stella. Stella was in front, with about five or six meters

sending the man flying. Following swiftly, he spun around quickly, cleanly and efficiently breaking the neck of another man. Sensing the sudden gust of wind from behind, Stella instinctively drew her knife and stabbed backwards. With

same time, the brick came crashing down at her forehead. Stella dodged the brick to

brick didn't fall on Stella's forehead; Jasper blocked it with

father and son of the Moore family in front heard the commotion and rushed over

Jasper grunted, "I'm fine."

her senses, "Are

I was bundled

fear and ran away as soon as he got up. Not just him, another woman not far away

bag, and forcefully threw

up, her cold eyes staring

let me go! I have a wife and a kid. Ahhh....!" Stella was in no mood for mercy. She killed him without