18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 451

Chapter 451

Stella kept her plans under wraps, afraid that Monkey would flat-out refuse any form of repayment.

But Miranda? She'd accept it, whether it was for her family or her kids.

"Let's give them some food," Jasper suggested after a moment of thought. "Their bodies are too run-down; a few pills won't cut it, and even nutritional therapy might not do much. Arcadia has a bunch of herbal seeds. You could give them some, let them grow their own." Stella nodded, "Alright, I'll drop some off tomorrow."

The next morning, Rosie, eager to outshine her peers, picked her rattiest dress, rubbed it on the ground, and smeared it with dirt.

Stella laughed as she messed up Rosie's hair, turning it into a bird's nest. "You look every bit the country girl now."

But Rosie wasn't satisfied. "Sis, make me look older."

Ah, youth, Stella thought with a sigh. Kids want to look older, while she'd give anything to shave off a few years.

They dabbed Rosie's porcelain skin with splotches of yellow, and her shoes were so tattered her toes peeked through. "There, any more and you'll look like an old lady."

Rosie finally looked content and headed downstairs to the management office for her interview.

Kids grow up, form their own opinions, and take their own stands. Stella and Jasper didn't want to add to Rosie's nerves, so they didn't go with her.

Arcadia's output was steady; Rosie didn't need to earn her keep. But growing up meant facing life's challenges and transforming through them. In that moment, Stella felt a pang of motherly sorrow.

She sat on the couch, flipping through a medical book to pass the time.

Two hours later, Rosie came bounding up the stairs. "Brother, sis, I got the job! I start tomorrow!"

Stella beamed, "You did great, Rosie."

Noticing Jasper's silence, she nudged him with her foot.

the hint, Jasper said, "Well

radiant. "Dozens interviewed, only five got picked, and

growing everything from potatoes and sweet potatoes to various greens and medicinal herbs. Rosie had grown up learning from Stella, knew

smile quickly faded. "But they've

mid-sip of water,

frowned. "How does

potato shoots

maybe wait for

upset but determined. "Others can do it, so I want to try. If it's too much, I'll

Stella suggested, "What if we give the interviewer a little something to get you

"Sis, I want

argue; some lessons had to be learned

Rosie had

celebrate, they decided on

the submarine. The SS Eden, an aquatic lifeline, was anchored in Area A,

along with Cooper,

of increasing survivors

aboard, they indulged in a hot pot feast: thinly sliced beef, lamb, duck intestines,

head... no, Stella decided fish was off the menu for

poured Rosie a modest glass of red wine, "Here's to your successful interview

split pot, and Stella handed a steaming chicken leg to Cooper, "Here,

his

two days of anticipation, the dog was overjoyed to be aboard the

ate for nearly two hours before Stella, slightly tipsy, lay down

Jasper settled with a coffee by the observation window, and Cooper practiced his pull-ups in

of spicy stir-fry, ensuring they were minty fresh

took out five pounds of aged cornmeal, a fuel-saving move, and ground it into flour, not forgetting to

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