18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 328

Living in the shadow of an unseen enemy had been a nerve-wracking experience, but once they actually caught the bug, a strange sense of calm settled over them. Jasper and Stella reassured each other, "We're better off than most. Our symptoms are light compared to others."

The one bright spot was that Cooper had pulled through. His symptoms were easing day by day, and his voracious appetite was returning. He was a bundle of energy, wagging his tail and offering canine comfort to his ailing family.

In the end, it all came down to being in good physical shape.

Initially, fearing that Cooper might catch the virus, Stella had isolated him in the spare room. But Cooper would scratch at the door, letting out pitiful whines until she couldn't bear it any longer.

She consulted with Dr. Collin, only to find out he had been infected too. Thankfully, as a physician, he had a strong mental attitude and had caught his symptoms early. He had been self-medicating and, though weak, was far from bedridden. It never crossed his mind that the first case to recover from the smog virus would be a dog.

Collin made a special trip to check on Cooper, and upon seeing the dog's robust muscles, he knew what was at play. "The virus is vicious," he explained, "but recovery leads to antibodies. From the cases we've seen so far, there's no sign of mutation."

The virus traveled with the smog - there was no escaping it. All they could do was keep up with sanitation to lower the chances of infection.

Stella understood that as long as the virus didn't mutate, Cooper, with his new antibodies, was safe from reinfection.

Returning to her room, Stella unpacked 10 pounds of smoked sausage and bacon, salted fish, and 20 pounds of soy flour that had been crushed into a fine powder. "Dr. Collin, these were prepared by us. We meant to give them to you earlier, but things have been hectic." Collin was adamant, "No, these are too precious. We can't accept this."

"If you fall, what happens to the sick survivors? We're counting on you to cure us." Stella pushed the supplies into his hands. "You eat this first. I'll figure out how to get more nutritious stuff."

"Stella, Jasper, on behalf of the research institute, I thank

added. "If we hadn't come here, who

left, Stella

down. When the fever hit hard, Stella felt nauseous and her body ached as if undergoing surgery without anesthesia. Her coughs were like a bellows, constant and loud, and it felt like a blade was slicing her throat. Just a few minutes of coughing made her feel like something was about to burst from

One could only imagine the agony

an oxygen tank at hand,

the symptoms eased, they

came in. Stella, Jasper, Rosie, and Cooper had become so familiar with the herbal concoctions

addition of licorice and goldenrod. After three days on the

fever. Jasper coaxed her to eat the beef soup he'd prepared, insisting even when she had no appetite - she needed the strength to fight the

her cheeks flushed and her voice hoarse, Rosie asked, "Jasper,

the fever. "Jasper and I

proving its worth now, helping them fend off the virus with comparatively

than most survivors. They had caught it early, had access to good treatment, and their

weakened many, and the extended absence of sunlight had taken its toll, leaving people pale and unhealthy. Amid coughing fits, blood came up, along with something more solid. Stella had seen people carried into emergency rooms,

been in vain, and that drinking herbal remedies for a long period of time could in fact control her condition without worsening

to fade. "Do you think Dr. Garcia has

started

of curiosity, Stella asked, "How do

thought for a moment, "Night