18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 450

Back in their room, they let Cooper out for some air, and Stella brewed a pot of English breakfast tea. The three of them settled on the couch for a heart-to-heart chat.

Stella felt pretty good about things. Civilization had taken a beating from the disaster, but humanity had never given up. Hope Point was like a phoenix waiting to rise from the ashes. The infrastructure was buzzing, research was happening smoothly, and the urgent need to restore agriculture was like a beacon in the dark.

It was hard not to admire the resilience that had been ingrained in Australia over five thousand years.

Rosie, sipping her tea, raised her hand and said, "Bro, Sis, I'm thinking about applying for a job as a farmer."

Stella looked surprised. "Are you sure?"

Rosie nodded firmly. "I might as well give it a shot since I'm not doing much else."

Both siblings had ants in their pants, but Rosie was especially industrious. Over the years, she'd done plenty of farming and breeding. She was a real whiz kid at it.

As her sister-in-law, Stella had no objections, but they still needed to consider Jasper's thoughts.

Jasper turned the question back to Stella and Rosie. "What do you think of Hope Point?" Rosie didn't hesitate. "I like it."

Stella knew what he meant. "We're here now. Let's let time decide whether we stay or go."

They'd been free agents on the move, eating and drinking without a care, but people need to socialize. After making the rounds, they felt more upbeat and at ease. You win some, you lose some. They'd been adrift at sea for months; a change of scenery could be good.

Jasper nodded in agreement. "Rosie, go ahead and interview. But if you get the job, be careful with what you say and do. We can't afford any trouble."

Rosie was ecstatic. "Don't worry, I'll be cautious." She wouldn't reveal any secrets.

Farming didn't require much physical strength and she wouldn't have to leave Area B. Opportunities like this were rare.

Afraid that someone else might beat her to it, Rosie hurried downstairs to sign up.

Jasper mused, "Rosie's all grown up."

Since they'd decided to stay for now, it was about time to settle into a routine. Stella shrugged it off with a laugh, "I'm not cut out for a job, but if you want to work, feel free." Jasper was used to her independence. "No rush. We'll see how it goes."

that were easy and close to home were scarce. Every able-bodied

on the line, and it almost came to blows

gardening was

of disasters had given everyone a

nervous about

because her brother was so

"Believe in yourself, Rosie.

really

Stella's affirmative nod, she playfully kicked Jasper's foot,

twinge of frustration. If he hadn't been capable,

knocking. "Sis, I've brought you

some gently used folding

items were hard to come by, and he'd put in a lot of legwork to

also pillows, towels, and such. If you need more, I can always trade

these luxuries? Monkey was a

had to be above board, so Stella accepted everything he offered. "What do you

you saved my family's life. This is just a token of my gratitude. How could I accept anything from you?" ""You're like

chance to repay you, and I'd feel guilty if you didn't accept." "Fair is fair. These items are hard to find. If you insist on giving

stance, Monkey compromised. "My wife and kids are not well.

puzzled. "Doesn't

doctor costs food, and even then,

Monkey's excuse, anyway. After so many years of disaster, who

only added to

an

collecting the items, she followed him to his home

meters, barely enough room for a bed,

the

someone who'd spent months at sea, it was more

broke his

take the kids and

passed away, and the youngest was just eleven, barely learning

was tough in those times. Even Stella, with her resources, found it challenging, let alone Monkey