18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 538

Stella walked into the house, setting up a folding camp table and chairs in the living room.

Meanwhile, Jasper was busy installing a high-tech range hood from China in the kitchen. Despite its compact size, the gadget could absorb and neutralize 98% of cooking fumes, making the air almost odorless. Once he finished, he whipped up a dish of dehydrated veggies. It was impressive, and even though he couldn't get rid of all the smell, 80-90% was good enough.

With the front and backyards far apart, he figured the smells wouldn't travel. Except for particularly pungent dishes, he felt confident about cooking.

Next door, Rosie sneaked over her pets a mischievous hound and a sneaky mutt-when no one was around. After being apart for days, the two animals were desperate for their mother's affection. Stella, with a dog in her left hand and a wolf in her right, was having a blast.

But she noticed that Snowflake's belly seemed to have grown-again. Another pregnancy. Stella guessed it would be about a month before the new litter arrived.

Daniel didn't make it home until after dark, worn out from the day's work. His stomach was killing him, but hearing that Stella was back, all his worries vanished, and he didn't hesitate to come over.

Seeing his exhausted state, Vanessa couldn't help but scold him, "You know you've got a chronic issue, yet you keep giving away the medicine Stella made for you. Now we're out of antacids, and there's no chance of finding any at the

hospital. What are we supposed to do?"

"It's nothing. I can tough it out," he replied.

Vanessa, worried about his health, suggested, "Maybe you should skip it today. I'll make you some plain oatmeal to settle your stomach."

Everybody had their ailments, but Daniel didn't take it to heart. "I'm feeling much better."

Not even a bleeding ulcer could keep him away. With no other choice, Vanessa accompanied him. She went out back, picked plenty of greens, and grabbed a bag of rice.

Compared to most folks, they ate quite well at home, but Stella had a hard time adjusting to the food. Only these two items had ever tempted her to pick up her fork.

or so cardboard boxes piled up in the living room. "These are the medical supplies we brought back. Do you think they'll cover the

was overjoyed at the sight of the medicine-antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, blood activators, anesthesia, gauze, surgical instruments, iodine, alcohol-each item was desperately needed by the hospital. Medicine was a

when Vanessa spotted the painkillers, she didn't hesitate. "Stella, your father has been having stomach

plenty of stomach medicine before; it shouldn't have run out so quickly. Realizing either

embarrassed by Vanessa's bluntness, didn't want Stella to

with issues. Between worrying for his country and enduring the disaster, his health had suffered.

care was better than any magic potion, and Daniel suddenly felt as if his stomach pain had eased. After taking his medicine, Daniel explained about the medicines' value and suggested that the

expressed her thanks, unsure of what else to

the table-stir-fried dried veggies, shredded potatoes, scrambled eggs with ham, steamed

them while raiding Union Base. They had hoarded a lot of fertilized poultry eggs, kept in high-tech stasis pods.

be hatched and raised. How could they

but even Daniel

what was done was

"We still have a few dozen left. You can take

asking, "Is there a way

thought for a moment. "It should

"You could start

them to the base; he suggested she start a farm instead. Stella was a bit surprised. "Okay, I'll check later. I think we have an incubator, but I'm

With his daughter living next door, Daniel's smile

through his heart. Stella sensed it but wasn't sure

with the flow, she

set, several bundles of dark fabric

without nutrients, made from potatoes or sweet potatoes, canned goods that were a luxury every ten days or so this was a severe nutritional deficit