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.

few small holes at the bottom, line it with clean cloth, and fill it with clean sand and charcoal. They can absorb harmful substances. Layer it several times

out a bottle she had prepared earlier and demonstrated it to Stella. "The filtered water still tastes bitter, but it's much better than before. You have to mix it with some fresh water and boil it

had been

if they had a choice, who would want to drink seawater? But they had no choice. They had to find a way to

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

and Jasper stepped into the twilight, heading for Peace Square. When they reached the

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

could sell well, wouldn't fresh

buy water too?" a surprised voice

seemed to be everywhere, a

over with a

for a walk. Just passing by." Stella got straight

"It's free."

taken aback, not getting what he meant

you." Monkey was still all

wouldn't lose much

was serious. "How do you really sell

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

knowing the whole story. We have to drive more than seventy miles 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

Stella patted

alarmed. Was she planning to steal his

distant and numb manner. Griffith was a

going against the base, probably heading for the nearest

beach wasn't easy either. There were tolls to

back to her past life, it was both agonizing and painful. It was truly not easy to survive. This time, she felt lucky to have Arcadia, and people who were willing to share her hardships. As dusk fell, Jasper held Stella's hand, leading the way to the market square with a