18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 428

Feeling sick is the worst, and overthinking only makes it harder.

Memories of the past years kept flooding Rosie's mind. Without Stella's guidance, she might still be a people-pleaser, either trying to win everyone's favor or bottling up everything inside, not even talking to her brother. Stella had timely corrected her flaws, helped her build confidence, and brought her closer to her brother. Rosie flung herself into Stella's arms. "Sis, I'm so glad it wasn't you who got hurt."

Stella's voice choked with emotion as she hugged her tightly.

The illness was relentless, and the two of them were on edge, taking turns at Rosie's bedside. At one point, they almost resorted to using adrenaline shots. After five days, the fever finally broke. Rosie had lost weight, and so had Jasper and Stella. Even Cooper wasn't eating well.

They had run every test possible; all indicators were low but there were no significant signs of organ damage.

It seemed like they had won this battle, though it had been dangerously close. If they hadn't had the oxygen machine or pumped her full of medicines, they would have been at the mercy of fate.

Jasper, still shaken, pulled Stella aside. "Is Rosie really okay now?"

Stella couldn't guarantee it. "Back in Eastwood Eden, Christian ate a mutated squid but was fine after a stomach wash. Not all ancient viruses are deadly; it probably depends on the specific virus, the viral load, and the host's physical condition."

The tide worms were unstoppable, and when Iran gobbled them up, bones and all, it was certain that his body carried many viruses. Without a way to detect them, Stella couldn't be sure whether the virus had been killed or if it now existed alongside Rosie's cells. Not wanting to alarm him, she spoke gently, "She should be fine. Just make sure she takes good care of her health and exercises to build up resistance."

"Iran drank so much nuclear waste water and ate mutated sea creatures for years and is still alive. Rosie just got bitten. We'll keep observing."

relieved, and he held Stella tightly. "You've been through so much,

Rosie is fine, that's all that matters," Stella thought, not daring to contemplate the opposite. She reminded Rosie to rest well and to inform her of any discomfort. After such a severe illness, Rosie was weak, but the joy of surviving shone on her face. When feeling down, seeing so many survivors die before her, sometimes she thought death might not be so bad. But when faced with her mortality, she realized she desperately wanted to live. She wanted to taste delicious food, play with

remained submerged to avoid exposing Rosie to the risk of catching a

observation window, sipping on juice and flipping through a

Rosie approached her, panic in her

to see Rosie pale and sweating

was too embarrassed to say it, her cheeks flushing

"Where are you bleeding?"

and hands, Stella saw no signs

there... I'm bleeding." Rosie clutched her stomach, tears streaming

stunned, then realization dawned on her. She had taught Rosie everything except for the facts of life. Rosie was nearly 15, the age of

"You're not sick; you're just

Jasper appeared.

but knowing enough to feel ashamed about that kind of bleeding, couldn't find the words to explain to her brother. Her tears fell faster, and she hid behind Stella, too embarrassed to face Jasper. Stella scolded

knowing better than to argue, Jasper scratched his head and retreated

and began to explain the facts of womanhood. "Rosie, when a girl grows up, she gets her period once a month.

was growing up, no longer a child. That felt good. She could be independent now; her brother and sister-in-law wouldn't have to look after

the future would hold? Stella also shared some wisdom about relationships, thinking of how a pretty young girl like Rosie could be

more confused and embarrassed, asked hesitantly,

had heard strange noises at night, sounding like a fight, but not quite; it was all very mysterious and a little embarrassing. She never dared to ask. She pretended to be fast asleep. The next day, Rosie