18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 470

Quiet as a mouse, but don't rattle the cage.

Stella returned to the hospital, faking a migraine to score a half-day off. She took the ferry back to Area B and tidied up her apartment, while Jasper headed to the agricultural sector to find his sister.

Rosie was just clocking out when she saw her brother, and her face lit up. "Bro, my transfer came through! I start in Area A next week. We can apply for a shared apartment, and you and Stella won't have to commute anymore." Jasper pulled his sister aside under the clear blue sky - a stark contrast to the grave news he was about to share. Rosie's smile froze, and she stood there, stunned, like a deer in headlights.

It took her a moment to gather herself. "Brother, we're really leaving?"

"You don't want to go?"

"No, it's not that. I'll go ask for time off right now."

She loved her job and the life she had there, but she couldn't bear the thought of being away from her brother and sister-in-law.

Rosie's good standing and imminent transfer made it easy for her to get the leave approved.

When the siblings returned home, Stella had already packed up everything that shouldn't be there into Arcadia, leaving behind only the items they had bartered from Monkey. Not wanting to arouse suspicion, they carried light luggage.

The walls were thin, and they kept the conversation to a minimum, gripping their belongings as they descended the stairs. Outside, Rosie couldn't help but look up at their third-floor apartment, feeling a heavy weight in her heart.

Everything had happened so suddenly; she barely had time to react. There was so much she was reluctant to leave behind, but Rosie didn't let it show. She was fortunate to have grown up under Stella's wing, and life had been good here, but that paled in comparison to her brother and sister-in-law's safety.

Stella felt a pang of loss too. She had become part of the community, with friends, colleagues, and her 'little brothers' around her. Now, she was about to leave everything behind and return to a nomadic life without direction. It felt disorienting.

It was like living in darkness and suddenly seeing a ray of light, only to have it snatched away just as you reach for it. Losing something after you've had it is far worse than never having it at all.

Jasper took her cold hand in his. "Tomorrow will be a better day," he said, reassuringly.

the same way. The engine roared as they cut

"Hey, you three off for a

needed to get out of the base for a bit, to clear

friendly reminder, "Just remember to stay within the base perimeter. There are more survivors from other nations out there, and without an escort, you

hundred contingency plans for disasters, working in silence for ten years to achieve what they had today. But internal fortification wasn't enough; they also needed to defend against foreign threats. Humans

Station was thriving, surrounded by

for his advice, "We'll just stick close by, not

waved goodbye, "I'm on leave for a few days; come over for

definitely," she promised, wondering if they would ever have

happy to be inside the base, it was Cooper. Usually confined

the restrictions and wagging his

crouched down to pet him, "Good boy, you'll have more freedom

ocean. Rosie stood by the periscope, wistfully

Goodbye, and farewell.

the submarine was nearing the edge of the base's territory.

in her bunk, eyes closed but restless. Jasper pulled her up, "Something on your

silent, simply

her. "Stella, we're husband and wife. Whatever it is,

think we're

to let go, but

the same message, "Don't worry unnecessarily. We're a family, a unit. We've benefited from Arcadia, and we must accept the consequences. If this isn't our

just hugged

enough scrutiny, someone might unravel the truth. They needed to decide whether

all, it was Ocean

Arcadia lay