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.

pointed to the dozen or so cardboard boxes piled up in the living room.

anti-inflammatories, blood activators, anesthesia, gauze, surgical instruments, iodine, alcohol-each item was desperately needed

she didn't hesitate. "Stella, your father has been having stomach pains lately. Could we trade some of these for a few

had prepared plenty of stomach medicine before; it shouldn't have run out so quickly. Realizing either they were lost at sea or given away, she looked at Daniel and noticed

Stella to worry. "It's just an old issue, nothing

enduring the disaster, his health had suffered. She sat down to take his pulse, inquired about his symptoms,

taking his medicine, Daniel explained about the medicines' value and suggested that

thanks, unsure of

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

lot of fertilized poultry eggs, kept in high-tech stasis pods. Surprisingly, they

be hatched and raised.

only Vanessa but even Daniel

what was done

still have a few dozen

there a

a moment. "It should be

suggested, "You could start a poultry

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 not

housewarming feast. With his daughter living next door, Daniel's smile never faded. His usually stern features

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

the

them both a $10,000 biodegradable toilet, a complete coffee set, several bundles of dark

that were a luxury every ten days or so this was a severe nutritional deficit that could shorten a life