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."

them, "We're

ready, there was no point in

the dog? With three members of the 18th floor missing, they couldn't afford to

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

tilted his head, then turned around and fetched

She wasn't thrilled about carrying a dog that weighed nearly 80

into the backpack, leaving a small opening for

hand, "Let's go

Moore family, they left the building with Cooper

announced new job opportunities, those who lacked the skills or the

up, they immediately caught the attention 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

turn of events,

her, "You're so cool,

arrived at the department store, Monkey, wrapped up in layers of clothing,

had already used over a thousand

Can you find a way to get

any more." Stella tried to suppress her fear that

"What do you need? I have all sorts

them too expensive. She turned to Jasper, "What do you need?" Jasper thought for a moment, then asked Monkey, "Do you

"What do you need those

"Do you

gaze, Monkey swallowed nervously, "I do, but the pots are plastic. They won't last long in this weather." Jasper asked, "We'll take a

pots in Arcadia. However, Jasper

were growing well, and they could stock up before the extreme heat arrived, for personal consumption or to trade for other goods. Monkey did a quick calculation, "I have about 30 pots, 30*80 in size, and 200 pounds of mixed

wealthy folks loved that stuff. Monkey was thrilled, "But you're asking for a lot. I'll need 5 bottles of the liquor." Stella

"That's not how you do

we don't

"Don't worry. We'll come to you if we have any good