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."

deeply touched, his voice heavy with emotion, "Stella, Jasper,

thanking you," Jasper added. "If we hadn't come here, who knows

Stella brought Cooper back

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

could only imagine the agony of the

an oxygen tank at hand, ready for moments when breathing became

they would disinfect the room

Cooper had become so familiar

dragonlily had increased, with the addition of licorice and goldenrod. After three

with her fever. Jasper coaxed her to eat the beef soup he'd prepared, insisting

cheeks flushed and her voice hoarse,

help reduce the fever. "Jasper and I are getting

its worth now, helping them fend off

access to good treatment, and their immune

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

not been in vain, and that drinking herbal remedies

own medicine, sticking to what the hospital provided, and her symptoms began to fade. "Do you think

hope," Jasper replied, having started some

do your

a moment,