18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 124

For a six-year-old, the kid was doing pretty darn well. Jasper's parenting was a success. However, in this situation, it seemed inappropriate to have outsiders involved.

Stella patted her belly, "I can't eat anymore. I am so full I could sleep. I gotta go lie down. See ya tonight." She grabbed her dog and made a hasty exit.

Rosie clung to her brother's arm, "I'm sorry, Jasper."

He comforted her, "You didn't do anything wrong. But things are different now. People are hungry out there. If they knew we had good stuff, they'd come to steal it with knives. We'd lose not just our goods, but your brother or Stella could get hurt. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Rosie was frightened and buried herself into her brother's chest, "I don't want you to die. I miss mom and dad."

"Don't worry. Even if mom and dad aren't here, I'll protect you."

Sometimes, pain was the best teacher.

Jasper quietly comforted her, all while teaching her a valuable lesson.

"I won't tell anyone about it, not even Cooper," Rosie promised.

As the temperature continued to drop, their routines consisted of staying warm and practicing survival skills. The potatoes that Stella had planted didn't require her constant attention; Jasper took good care of them.

Even if her secret base, Arcadia, was exposed, Stella had to keep up appearances. Jasper didn't know exactly what she had, after all. So about once a week, she would venture out, "Need anything?" "No, thanks."

Each time, she would return with her bag full of supplies and her dog in tow.

Just as she was about to head out this time, Jasper suddenly spoke up, "Let's go together."

Caught off guard, Stella tried to protest, "Shouldn't someone stay at the 18th floor? How about we take turns?"

"No need," Jasper dismissed her concern, "The Moore family is off today. We can just tell them."

to them, "We're going

there was no point in

the 18th floor missing, they couldn't afford to let Cooper roam

asked softly, "Do you want to stay home, or do you want to

his head, then turned

a dog

the backpack, leaving a small opening for

hand, "Let's

family, they left

constantly announced new job opportunities, those who

of several watchful eyes. Stella was no longer the impulsive girl she once was, and with the improved security measures in place, killing was no longer an option unless absolutely necessary. With no security patrols around, Stella decided to take out her weapon-a high-quality plastic replica. Without saying a word, she scared away the first group

second group, confused by the sudden turn

her, "You're so

soon as they arrived at the department store, Monkey, wrapped up in layers of clothing, ran up to

already used over a thousand condoms? She firmly

Can you

have any more." Stella tried to suppress her fear that Monkey would blurt out something about

offered, "What do you need? I have all

"What do you need?" Jasper thought for a moment, then asked Monkey, "Do

surprised, "What do you need those

hardened, "Do you have them or

but the pots are plastic. They won't last long in this weather." Jasper asked, "We'll take a batch.

Arcadia. However,

arrived, for personal consumption or to trade for other goods. Monkey did a quick calculation, "I have about 30 pots, 30*80 in

thrilled, "But you're asking for a lot. I'll need 5 bottles of the

not how you do

If we don't want

We'll come to you if we have any