18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 173

Stepping out from Arcadia, the night had already cast its dark blanket over everything.

Jasper docked the yacht close to the shore, not hurrying Stella to pull it back into Arcadia.

They were quite a distance away from the fishing village and the dock. It was unlikely anyone would be around at this hour, but out of caution, Jasper donned his night vision goggles and scanned the dark for a while, ensuring there were no issues. To avoid drawing attention with the motorboat, they paddled their rubber dinghy to shore.

Once ashore, they faced an incline leading to the coastal highway. There was no path, just brambles and reeds taller than a person.

Jasper led the way with his machete, shielding Stella behind him and flattening a path before allowing her to follow. "Watch your step," he cautioned.

After some time, they made it to the highway. Stella got into their car, flicking on the headlights. "Are you okay?"

Jasper was fine, save for a few scratches on his hands from the brambles and reeds. They were bleeding a little but were not serious. Stella took out an iodine solution to disinfect his wounds before applying band-aids.

In the darkness, they slowly drove along the highway. One drove, and the other kept vigil.

Upon safely returning to the villa, Stella's mood brightened. She took out some premium food from Arcadia to celebrate.

With the addition of a yacht, they felt more secure about potential sea survival scenarios.

The trip to the coast was worth it. They had been stocking up on dry goods and, with the 3,000 pounds they just acquired, they now had over 10,000 pounds of seafood.

Not only was it enough to last them a lifetime, but it could also be used for trading in the future.

Despite the abundance of seafood, they knew they couldn't eat it recklessly. Stella contemplated that it was time to stock up on fresh goods.

After dinner, the trio and the dog enjoyed the moonlight, stargazing and munching on watermelon on the rooftop.

starry sky. "It's so

or the resources, it was

no-brainer. Living near the rich meant a higher standard of living and less worry about others with ill intentions. Walking the dog became easier too. Cooper could run

you guys like it here, we can stay.

rush. She had stocked up a lot of hay, enough for the rabbits to last a couple

were no entirely safe places in the post-apocalyptic world. As more and more refugees gathered on the coast,

next few days, they brought back 1,200 pounds of fresh goods each

snails, and more. There were many other exotic seafood they had

to trading, they continued to stock up on food. They tried every recipe they could with the abundant ingredients, constantly

had passed. They had stocked up enough food to last for years and wouldn't need to

feast. Just as they were starting to eat, Austin showed up again. Rosie quickly hid the food and even helped wipe

quick-witted, and Stella almost burst out laughing. Still, they saved some oysters for Austin. They didn't dare give him any fruit though,

"Austin, it's rare for you to visit. Is there another big

oysters as he praised their cooking skills. "Your barbecuing skills are even

for us, Austin. Is Warren looking for medicine

that, she couldn't think of any other

not for Warren. It's for the leader

puzzled. Aqua Base had not been fair in their dealings. "Aren't you

don't favor anyone as

trading materials, while those at the bottom are more dangerous. In this post-apocalyptic world, no one can guarantee that there's no risk in doing business. If you guys have

they had to show some courtesy. Stella was

"Insulin."

lowering blood sugar. Someone still needing it after

would last only a few days for someone completely deficient, requiring about 60 units per day. It might not have been a burden before the apocalypse, but now,

steal the leader's medicine. Odeberg International is heavily guarded, so it's not easy for Aqua Base to get the medicine back. They're temporarily reaching out to their contacts to find some." Stella pondered. "If they