18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 65

The first time Rosie got into a fight, it left a deep impression on her young mind. She clung to Jasper's neck, "When I grow up, I'll protect you too."

"Alright."

"I'll protect Stella too, and Cooper."

"Alright."

Next, they sold fish, with Jasper showing her the ropes.

Stella listened silently. Jasper's teaching methods were rough, but in a world where order had collapsed, maybe Rosie would have been worse off if they'd stuck to the old ways of kindness and gentleness.

"Yes, what your brother taught you isn't wrong."

Curious, Stella asked Rosie, "Have you ever been hungry or been beaten up?"

Rosie lowered her head, nervously fiddling with her clothes.

"That's okay. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"When Jasper didn't come home, I was so hungry. My cousin bullied me, and my aunt scolded me."

"Do you want to go through that again?"

"No!" Rosie shook her head vehemently, her voice tinged with a sob. "I don't want to."

"Well, remember that feeling. If anyone ever treats you like that again, you fight back. Don't be afraid. They can't beat you."

"But my aunt said the police would take me away."

"As long as you're not the one starting trouble, the police won't take you away." Stella comforted the little girl, "Today, when you fought, the police didn't come to get you, did they?"

Relieved, Rosie said, "I'll listen to Stella and Jasper. No one will bully me anymore."

Cooper growled his agreement from the side.

Stella tugged at his ear, "Don't encourage Rosie to fight."

However, Rosie was already riled up, her small fists clenched as she declared, "Fighting is easy. If anyone dares to bully me, I'll beat them."

In the past, she always felt inadequate. She trained hard every day, but was no match for her brother. But after getting into a fight with someone else today, she realized that she wasn't weak. Jasper was just too strong.

The boy who tried to steal her candy couldn't even beat her with one hand, huh.

Changing the subject, Stella asked, "Rosie, what did you get for the fish you sold today?"

Rosie responded quickly, "We got some tools, textbooks, a dress, and a hairband."

A pink bunny-shaped fluffy hairband, which she was currently wearing on her head, made her look even more adorable.

"But Stella, did we lose out on brother's fish? Cody and Lukas said we only got useless stuff."

"No, as long as you think it's worth it, it's okay."

Everyone had different needs, and anyway, Jasper wasn't short of supplies.

The things Lukas and Cody got in exchange were more practical: two packs of salt, dried vegetables, sanitary pads, and a lighter.

Angela passed her a pack of sanitary pads, "Even in the apocalypse, we still have to bleed every month. It's such a hassle."

Stella refused, "I have plenty. You keep it."

Angela didn't insist, "Lukas and Cody are hooked. They want to go again tomorrow. Do you want to join?"

"No thanks, I'm staying home for a few days. You go have fun." No need to babysit.

Angela laughed gleefully at the idea of a day out.