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."

up to them, "We're going

gear ready, there was no point

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

home, or do you want

his head, then turned around and

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

a small

Stella's hand, "Let's go

they left

job opportunities, those who lacked the skills or the will to

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

sudden turn of events, decided to retreat as

"You're so cool,

they arrived at the department store, Monkey, wrapped up in layers of clothing, ran up to them, "Do you have any

over a thousand condoms?

Can you find a way to

don't have any more." Stella tried to suppress her fear that Monkey would blurt

do you need? I

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

do you

you

but the pots are plastic. They won't last long in this weather." Jasper

planting pots in Arcadia. However, Jasper probably wanted to plant a

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 fertilizer. What

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

"That's not how you

clear your inventory. If we don't want this, who

worry. We'll come to you if we have any good