18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 159

Besides food, the most scarce resource during extreme heat was water.

Stella's Arcadia was equipped with water and electricity, so water was the least of her worries.

Don't be fooled by the well drillers that were busy drilling all day and night. They had once found water, but before they could even pull out, the water source disappeared.

Yes, the surface water was disappearing at a rate that was visible to the naked eye.

The residents of the street where Sunrise Sanctuary was located were lucky. They didn't have to wait long before their turn to drill a well came up. Every day, they could get a bucket of water with their IDs.

But with the water level dropping steadily, they could only get half a bucket a day.

Now, even half a bucket was hard to come by.

At first, Stella would still make a show of carrying a bucket out, but now she didn't even want to pretend. With so little water each day, there was barely enough to cover basic human needs, let alone washing dishes or watering the sweet potatoes. Jasper seemed thoughtful. "Sell water?"

"Or potatoes." The last batch of cold-resistant potatoes hadn't been sold yet, and they had quite a few growing in The Garden. In any case, there would be something suitable for the survivors.

Jasper didn't object to the idea, but he insisted they proceed cautiously. After all, there were plenty of shady dealers out there.

So, as the sun set, Stella led Cooper and Rosie downstairs, intending to leave them with the Moore family.

Upon reaching the door, she saw Amber coming back with a full bucket of water and she couldn't help but wonder. "You managed to get that much water?"

Amber managed a grim smile. "The well on our street has dried up. This is seawater I bought. A pound of potatoes can exchange for a bucket of water. If you need any, hurry up and go. It's just at the street corner. If you delay, I'm afraid it might run out." Seawater? Who in their right mind would sell seawater!

Upon hearing the voices, Katie opened the door, welcoming both of them into the house and giving Stella some life tips. "Stella, seawater is a good thing. It might taste salty and bitter, but there's a way to drink it.

it with clean cloth, and fill it with clean sand and charcoal. They can absorb harmful substances. Layer it several times and

had prepared earlier and demonstrated it to Stella. "The filtered water still tastes

been hoarding

seawater? But

and thanked her. "Thank you, Katie. I'll

the Moore family, Stella and Jasper stepped into the twilight, heading for Peace Square. When they reached the street corner, they indeed saw

went over to watch the commotion. And sure enough, there were people lining up

sell well, wouldn't

to buy water too?" a surprised

to be everywhere,

a

passing by." Stella got straight to the point.

"It's free."

was taken aback, not getting what

you." Monkey was

to begin with, so he wouldn't lose much by giving it

was serious. "How do you

like she was short of water, Monkey told the truth. "A bucket of water for half a pound of rice, or a pound of potatoes or sweet potatoes. Other goods are also acceptable." Stella pretended to be

to Swan Hill to get seawater, and the car needs fuel. We also have to pay tolls on the way. We're earning our keep through hard work. Go ask around. Our prices are the most reasonable. Other dealers charge more

at you, all pitiful." Stella

alarmed. Was she

pots and pans, with their belongings on their backs, moving in a distant and numb manner. Griffith was a

they were going against the base,

wasn't easy either. There were tolls to pay along

both agonizing and painful. It was truly not easy to survive. This time, she felt lucky to have Arcadia, and people who