18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 207

Jasper didn't dodge the question, musing, “Next time you have class, you can hang out with them for, say, half an hour. Is that alright?”

Rosie's eyes sparkled, “Thank you!”

“While hanging out, don't mention anything about our home life, especially anything about food and shelter. If they keep prying or intentionally steer the conversation that way, cut ties with them immediately.”

Rosie nodded, “I understand, Jasper.”

Then they got ready for dinner.

It was too easy to get heatstroke in this weather, so Stella had prepared some mint lemonade, a chilled cucumber and watermelon salad, barbecue pork ribs, and green leafy vegetables. Everything was prepared beforehand, no need to fire up the stove.

Jasper only worked half a day, and he would rest at home in the afternoon.

During lunch, he started a conversation, “From what I observed today, apart from their lack of skills, they seem pretty friendly and united.”

Stella agreed, “Their current state is largely because of Mark's efforts.”

If everything went well, this could be their new home.

When they woke up around three, they discussed and made a list of things they needed at home.

Stella planned to visit the trading street in the evening to collect as many of the items as possible.

The mention of trading made her think of Monkey and Austin.

Monkey was always on the road, and the tsunami had come so suddenly. She wondered if he had been at the beach in Swan Hill when it happened.

As for Austin, they had arranged to meet at ten, so he was more likely to have been at the beach. What were the chances of survival if they had been caught in the tsunami?

Stella felt a pang of sadness. If it weren't for Austin's help, she wouldn't have been able to expand her Arcadia so quickly. But that was the harsh reality of the apocalypse. Friends or family could be perfectly fine one second, and gone the next.

When the sun set, Stella decided to venture out.

Jasper was worried, “Should I come with you?”

Stella knew she could handle herself, and thought it was unnecessary, “It's not far from here to the trading street. I can get there on my mountain bike in less than an hour. You just rest at home.”

Although he said he would rest, he still had to train Cooper, and teach Rosie to read and write.

Jasper escorted her downstairs, “Be careful.”

“Don't worry. If I can't fight them, I'll just run.” She hopped onto her mountain bike and waved goodbye.

It was about six miles to the trading street. Despite wearing her thermoregulatory clothing, the heat was still intense, but not to the point of heatstroke. However, as the sun set, danger began to emerge.

Suddenly, two men sprang out from behind a tree, raising their sticks and aiming for Stella's back.

If she hadn't noticed this, she would have lived her life in vain.

Stella suddenly pedaled hard on her mountain bike. The attackers missed their target, almost causing them to trip and fall.

Seeing that she wasn’t pedaling fast, the two men, unwilling to give up, started to chase her.

Mikey's mountain bike was of good quality. Stella pedaled at varying speeds with ease, not knowing that her pursuers were panting heavily behind her.

Even after sunset, the heat was still unbearable for ordinary people, like frying in a pan. One of the men collapsed during the chase. Stella had no idea if he got up again or not, but he didn't chase her anymore.

When she arrived at the trading street, it was already completely dark. As expected, there were many more people. It was a good thing she hadn't come in her Hummer, which would have attracted too much attention.

Stella walked to a secluded corner and, under the cover of darkness, put her bike away in her Arcadia.

The voice sounded familiar, like she had heard it frequently. Stella turned on her flashlight and shined it on him, “It's you?”

It was Monkey, of all people. He was everywhere!

“Oh, Lord, it's really you.” Monkey looked shocked, “You're alive.”

“Of course I am alive. If I were dead, even as a ghost I wouldn't let you off.”

If they were anywhere else, Stella would have stabbed him without a second thought. He was lucky to be alive, “Why were you following me?” She was amazed that he had recognized her even though she was in disguise.

“It's so good to see that you're alive.” Monkey got up, beaming, “Austin and I thought something bad had happened to you.”

After the tsunami, he had gone to the area where he used to sell water several times, but had never run into her. No one he asked seemed to know her either.

He thought she had gone forever. But tonight, he had seen a familiar figure and thought it looked like her, so he had followed her to confirm.

In the end, Stella was just being Stella, and almost killed him.

Upon hearing his words, Stella was taken aback, "Austin is okay too?"

"The boss has a knack for dodging bullets, and he was lucky to escape this time."

Initially, they planned to drive to the beach early in the morning, but Austin’s son got sick. Austin had no choice but to stay and take care of him. By the time his son's fever subsided and he was rushing to Swan Hill, a tsunami came just as he passed the checkpoint. Austin quickly turned the car around and sped off, relying on the terrain and luck to escape the tsunami's clutches.

"Austin thought you guys had perished, and he was devastated for a long time. He was thinking if you guys had any family, we could provide some aid, but we couldn't find your address in Griffith."

Stella sighed, "We, too, were lucky to have survived."

"What brings you here this time?" After exchanging pleasantries and reminiscing, Monkey immediately assumed his professional role, "There's nothing you can think of that I can't find."