18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 122

Lukas, who earned his own keep, was incredibly tough and resilient. "Sure, next time we get the day shift and it's not too far from the apartment. We can reassess the situation after the shift."

Angela was worried sick at the thought of Lukas getting hurt, "If things get too dangerous, we'll just quit. For now, it's best to keep earning."

The trio did a quick inventory. Their stash, including the rationed food from their workplace, added up to almost fifty pounds. That included canned goods and frozen potatoes.

They handed all the remaining goods to Stella for safekeeping, hoping to barter them for food when the opportunity arose.

Cody tucked away the cigarettes gratefully. Those would come in handy for socializing at work, breaking the ice with colleagues or buttering up the bosses. He might even score some easier duties with these. Stella left with her things, not wanting to disturb their rest.

The usually quiet hallway became lively again in the afternoon. For some reason, Stella felt a strange sense of peace.

The weather was getting colder and colder. If it wasn't for their thermal clothing, Stella feared that even breathing in the cold outside air could choke her.

Angela knocked on the door, holding two pounds of rice, which she offered Stella as a token for guarding their place.

Stella refused, "Even when you guys aren't around, I still need to live here right? The reputation of the 18th floor precedes it. As long as there's no trouble, I don't need your protection rations."

She didn't take it, and neither did Jasper.

Finally, Angela proposed, "Come over for dinner today, our treat."

That was a tempting offer.

Stella was starting to feel the silence of the 18th floor unnerving. Jasper, although a living, breathing human, was not much of a talker. Occasionally, he would strike up a conversation with her, but it was always a bit awkward. She felt awkward, and Jasper did too.

Their daily interactions were limited to a few words, making the atmosphere uncomfortable. Perhaps it was the aftermath of the bikini party and her previously brash words that made things weird between them.

Regardless, the return of the people in apartment 1803 was a welcome change for Stella.

Angela insisted she didn't need to contribute

of eating the

wasn't going to be the

two dishes: bacon stewed with pickled greens

scavenged by Stella from the trading market. "I traded several pounds of them. If you

she scavenged them, they were

tightly. After sealing it

didn't have freeze-drying technology. It tasted pretty good stir-fried with a bit of oil after being rehydrated. Although it couldn't compare to fresh vegetables, having something to eat in this freezing weather was already a luxury. Angela was delighted, "We'll take as

having any vegetables was

how much can you

moment, "Three or four

future, if you have more, bring it back

trade any unwanted items for it. If that wasn't enough, they

to do. She turned to

stared at her for a moment before

In

the supplies. It not only

three of them were pleased with the trade, "Stella, you really know

trade, which

valuable items early on, they might have run out of resources

my fault." Angela regretted missing out on the opportunity to hoard resources when the apocalypse came, "If we knew it was the end of the world, we should have grabbed everything we could. Now others are benefiting from our mistake." Lukas quickly consoled her, "Don't beat yourself up,

me becoming a second-hand dealer?" Otherwise, she wouldn't have a good reason to barter things for

dangerous robbers and thieves, but the authorities also cracked down heavily on it. Speculating and manipulating the market, once caught, can lead to severe consequences, with serious offenders facing death

good idea, just barter

plant potatoes? We won't starve. If necessary, we can trade

to the 18th floor, so they had no intention

me know if you need anything else, and I'll try