18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 125

30 planting pots, made of plastic that was not resistant to low temperatures and could become brittle when frozen. However, they were thick, so as long as handled carefully, there shouldn't be a problem. Four packs of compound fertilizer, each weighing about 50 pounds.

Satisfied with the goods, Stella pulled out a flask of liquor from her bag.

Monkey, initially upset about not making a profit, was pleasantly surprised. The liquor alone made the deal worthwhile.

Having secured his goods, Monkey departed.

Jasper, to make Stella's job easier, had stayed out of the transaction, waiting outside with Rosie. Once sure the coast was clear, Stella stowed the items away in the Arcadia.

As she was about to leave, she noticed Jasper talking to Monkey at a distance, apparently negotiating a deal.

Only after Monkey had left did Stella come out.

Back in their neighborhood, Stella didn't rush home. She let Cooper out of her bag for a walk around the block. This guy was well-behaved and knew better than to whine while tucked inside the backpack.

While Stella walked the dog, Jasper watched over Rosie. They stood sheltered from the wind, quietly watching the two frolic in the cold.

The items exchanged were paid for by Stella, to which Jasper asked, "What do you want for today's deal?"

They usually split the goods, but as Jasper was the one primarily looking after the potatoes, Stella didn't want to take advantage of him. So, she included the cotton shoes in the deal, "Any chocolate left?" It was delicious, a bit addictive. "Yes," he replied.

Back on the 18th floor, the planters and fertilizer were temporarily stored in the Arcadia, and the cotton shoes were given to Jasper.

Jasper brought out two boxes of chocolate. Stella, being fair, only took one.

Once inside, Rosie looked up, "Jasper, I want some chocolate."

kiddo. You can

Jasper dropped Rosie off at 1802, "I need to step out for a bit, can you

turns watching over the

make some instant soup for

looked at him with longing, "Jasper,

Stella felt obliged to offer, "Would you like

surprise,

more packs of soup to the pot, threw in some hams and fried an

and Jasper's arrival made it even more cramped. But the presence of a dog and a child somehow added a strange sense of

safely from their day shifts. This time they looked much better than last time,

they only suffered minor frostbites,

to Stella for safekeeping and to trade for more useful items in the future. Work was different from school, but in just two months, Angela and Lukas had changed dramatically. Especially Lukas, who used to be reliant on women, now stood tall and strong, he had

made it through each time, gaining

long as I look closely at them in a crowd, I can tell from their gaze, body language, and the way they walk if they're a good or bad person, or even if they're a petty thief

digging in her ear. "You're a security patrol officer, so the police station should provide

before managing to stutter out,

digestible foods. Now he had finally cured his stomach ailment, he was getting

Stella reflected

"Don't mind him, Stella. He's been pretty sensitive lately." Okay, as long as he was okay, it wouldn't affect unit 1803's shenanigans or

were well off with their food

1803's confidence. They invited two neighboring families to a meal. There was meat, canned food, a bit of wine, and plenty of rice. As their combat experience with thugs grew, they unanimously decided

to freeload off 1803's generosity, taught them several close-combat techniques and life-saving skills. The police had also provided training, but their techniques were no match for those of a SWAT officer. Their jobs were different, and their techniques were different. The

seriously,

had caught the eye of the chief of security and was

were envious and vowed to toughen up. They couldn't be outdone by a woman; they, too,

the hallway, but also in their beds at night, discussing how they could be as efficient as Jasper at taking

night, they practiced choking each