18 Floors Above the Apocalypse



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."Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

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.

Taking the hint, Jasper said, "Well done."

Rosie's smile was radiant. "Dozens interviewed, only five got picked, and I was the first."

The garden outpost was huge, encased in glass, growing everything from potatoes and sweet potatoes to various greens and medicinal herbs.

Rosie had grown up learning from Stella, knew her way around herbs, and aced the interview, securing the job with ease.

But her smile quickly faded. "But they've put me in the maggot farming group."

Stella, mid-sip of water, choked. "Maggot farming?"

Jasper frowned. "How does that work?"

"Chopped potato shoots and manure compost..."

Stella grimaced. "Rosie, maybe wait for another job?"

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

Thinking quickly, Stella suggested, "What if we give the interviewer a little something to get you a better position?"

But Rosie, stubborn like Jasper, insisted, "Sis, I want to earn my place."

Stella didn't argue; some lessons had to be learned firsthand.

Regardless, Rosie had a job now.

To celebrate, they decided on a feast: hot pot.

Having had enough of bland meals, Stella craved something spicy. Instead of heading to Arcadia, they went to the submarine. The SS Eden, an aquatic lifeline, was anchored in Area A, and Stella felt the need to check on it periodically for peace of mind.

So, the three of them, along with Cooper, rowed out to Area A.

More submarines had arrived—signs of increasing survivors reaching Hope Point.

Once aboard, they indulged in a hot pot feast: thinly sliced beef, lamb, duck intestines, tripe, chicken and duck feet, shrimp paste, various meatballs... Fish head... no, Stella decided fish was off the menu for life.

After days of bland fare, the spicy meal was especially invigorating. Stella poured Rosie a modest glass of red wine, "Here's to your successful interview and a bright future at work."

Rosie was elated, "Thanks, sis."

They ate from a split pot, and Stella handed a steaming chicken leg to Cooper, "Here, boy, your hot treat."

Cooper wagged his tail furiously.

After two days of anticipation, the dog was overjoyed to be aboard the submarine, running back and forth and howling to his heart's content. They ate for nearly two hours before Stella, slightly tipsy, lay down to rest.

Rosie cleaned up, Jasper settled with a coffee by the observation window, and Cooper practiced his pull-ups in the hallway.

Waking up near evening, they tackled another round of spicy stir-fry, ensuring they were minty fresh and their clothes laundered before leaving, leaving the submarine spotless.

Stella took out five pounds of aged cornmeal, a fuel-saving move, and ground it into flour, not forgetting to grab some common herbal seeds. It was a fair exchange for the goods Monkey had provided the day before.

In these times, food and medicine were the most precious commodities; her payment for yesterday's furniture was more than adequate. Stella took just enough to give Monkey a slight advantage, a small repayment for the times she'd taken advantage of him when hoarding supplies. Exiting the submarine, they walked along the bridge toward the platform as another vessel surfaced. Out of it came a group of sailors, gaunt but cheerful.

Into the sunset, someone waved, "Jasper, Miss Jiang!"

The voice was familiar. It took Stella a moment to recognize Hans.

Unexpectedly, the SS Eden and the SS Hope had met again.

The joy was palpable as Hans and his crew, having longed for the sight of Hope Point's new face, greeted Stella and Jasper. They had drifted aimlessly at sea for months, encountering survivors from other nations, often under attack.

A nation provides a home.

Survival in the aftermath of catastrophe is brutal; choosing to drift means accepting the harsh reality of the food chain.

In Hope Point, with a nation's backing, few enemies dared to threaten, and survivors could focus on rebuilding rather than constant vigilance.

Hans had always regretted not being able to thank the crew of the SS Eden for their help. But now, to his surprise, they were here.

They had really arrived!

Hans and the crew rushed forward, enveloping Jasper in a bear hug that spoke volumes of their camaraderie.

He was a bit shy to embrace Stella in the same way, but his excitement was palpable as he firmly grasped her hand. "Sister in arms, welcome to Hope Point," he said, his voice infused with a warm enthusiasm.

Stella and her companions were equally delighted to encounter familiar faces in such an unexpected place.

After exchanging pleasantries, Stella's curiosity got the better of her. "So, have you guys just returned?" she inquired.

Hans nodded, "Yeah, we've been

reassigned. We're now active-duty sailors with the Ocean Point Naval Station. Our new mission is to head out and search for more survivors... our brothers and sisters who've made it through." His tone was one of solemn duty, but his eyes shone with the thrill of the high seas and the noble cause.