18 Floors Above the Apocalypse



Feeling sick is the worst, and overthinking only makes it harder.

Memories of the past years kept flooding Rosie's mind. Without Stella's guidance, she might still be a people-pleaser, either trying to win everyone's favor or bottling up everything inside, not even talking to her brother. Stella had timely corrected her flaws, helped her build confidence, and brought her closer to her brother.

Rosie flung herself into Stella's arms. "Sis, I'm so glad it wasn't you who got hurt."

Stella's voice choked with emotion as she hugged her tightly.

The illness was relentless, and the two of them were on edge, taking turns at Rosie's bedside. At one point, they almost resorted to using adrenaline shots. After five days, the fever finally broke. Rosie had lost weight, and so had Jasper and Stella. Even Cooper wasn't eating well.

They had run every test possible; all indicators were low but there were no significant signs of organ damage.

It seemed like they had won this battle, though it had been dangerously close. If they hadn't had the oxygen machine or pumped her full of medicines, they would have been at the mercy of fate.

Jasper, still shaken, pulled Stella aside. "Is Rosie really okay now?"

Stella couldn't guarantee it. "Back in Eastwood Eden, Christian ate a mutated squid but was fine after a stomach wash. Not all ancient viruses are deadly; it probably depends on the specific virus, the viral load, and the host's physical condition."

The tide worms were unstoppable, and when Iran gobbled them up, bones and all, it was certain that his body carried many viruses. Without a way to detect them, Stella couldn't be sure whether the virus had been killed or if it now existed alongside Rosie's cells.

Not wanting to alarm him, she spoke gently, "She should be fine. Just make sure she takes good care of her health and exercises to build up resistance."

"Iran drank so much nuclear waste water and ate mutated sea creatures for years and is still alive. Rosie just got bitten. We'll keep observing." Only then did Jasper feel relieved, and he held Stella tightly. "You've been through so much, Stella."

"As long as Rosie is fine, that's all that matters," Stella thought, not daring to contemplate the opposite. She reminded Rosie to rest well and to inform her of any discomfort. After such a severe illness, Rosie was weak, but the joy of surviving shone on her face.

When feeling down, seeing so many survivors die before her, sometimes she thought death might not be so bad. But when faced with her mortality, she realized she desperately wanted to live. She wanted to taste delicious food, play with Cooper, and meet her future nieces and nephews. Everything was so precious.

Considering her frail condition, the submarine remained submerged to avoid exposing Rosie to the risk of catching a cold.

When Stella woke from her nap, she sat in front of the observation window, sipping on juice and flipping through a magazine to pass the long, tedious hours.

Suddenly, Rosie approached her, panic in her voice. "Sis, I feel really bad."

Stella looked up to see Rosie pale and sweating profusely. Startled, she asked, "What's wrong?"novelbin

"I, I..." Rosie was too embarrassed to say it, her cheeks flushing as she added, "I'm bleeding."

"Where are you bleeding?"

Checking Rosie's face and hands, Stella saw no signs of Iran's bumps.

"It's, down there... I'm bleeding." Rosie clutched her stomach, tears streaming down her face. "Sis, I think I'm going to die."

Down there? Stella was momentarily stunned, then realization dawned on her. She had taught Rosie everything except for the facts of life. Rosie was nearly 15, the age of her first period.

Stella quickly reassured her, "You're not sick; you're just growing up."

Hearing her sister's cries, Jasper appeared. "Rosie, what's wrong?"

Rosie, understanding little about her own body but knowing enough to feel ashamed about that kind of bleeding, couldn't find the words to explain to her brother. Her tears fell faster, and she hid behind Stella, too embarrassed to face Jasper.

Stella scolded him. "It's nothing to do with you. Stop prying and get out of here."

Confused by the scolding but knowing better than to argue, Jasper scratched his head and retreated to his room.

Stella took Rosie back to her room and began to explain the facts of womanhood. "Rosie, when a girl grows up, she gets her period once a month. From today onwards, you're an adult."

Rosie was bewildered, taking a while to digest the news. She was growing up, no longer a child. That felt good. She could be independent now; her brother and sister-in-law wouldn't have to look after her at every turn.

Despite humanity's near extinction, who knew what the future would hold? Stella also shared some wisdom about relationships, thinking of how a pretty young girl like Rosie could be taken advantage of. The thought was too terrifying to contemplate!

Rosie, even more confused and embarrassed, asked hesitantly, "Sis, how did you let my brother...?"

She had heard strange noises at night, sounding like a fight, but not quite; it was all very mysterious and a little embarrassing. She never dared to ask. She pretended to be fast asleep. The next day, Rosie observed how much closer her brother and sister-in-law seemed, as if nothing had happened the night before. So strange.

Stella gasped inwardly. She was indeed too innocent!

Faced with Rosie's clear gaze, Stella had no choice but to explain simply, "Because your brother is a good man, he's someone worth committing to." Remembering to protect herself was crucial, Stella warned her not to get pregnant unless the conditions were right. Angela and Molly were stark reminders of what could happen.

Rosie nodded, understanding. Perhaps it was this shared secret that brought the sisters-in-law closer together.

Curious and unable to hold back, Rosie blurted out, "Sis, how did you let my brother...?"

Rosie's innocent inquiry about the strange, intimate sounds at night left Stella at a loss for words. She had to maintain her composure in the face of such innocence. Rosie agreed wholeheartedly, her sister-in-law was great, and so was her brother.

Stella ruffled her hair. "Rosie, when you find someone you like in the future, he's got to be top-notch in every way, better than your brother even, before you can think of giving him your heart, you got that?"

"Yeah."

But in Rosie's mind, she doubted there could ever be a man better than her brother. After all, in all these years, she had never met anyone who could hold a candle to him.

Stella returned to her room and pulled out several packs of sanitary pads.

Jasper had an epiphany. "Has Rosie grown up?"