18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 114

Thinking it over, Jasper said, "I grew up with loving parents, got a good education and landed a steady job. Nothing extraordinary."

Yeah right, Jasper was playing coy. He obviously had a story to tell.

Nobody believed his brief summary, not even the dog, who barked as if in disbelief. But with his strong presence and Stella's silence, no one dared to probe further.

"Eat up," Stella urged. "The food's going to get cold."

Taking the hint, Cody quickly added, "Yeah, let's dig in."

They all tucked into the juicy, succulent pot roast, feeling like it had somehow elevated their spirits in these end times.

Lukas, lost in the delicious flavors, asked, "Stella, Christmas is coming up, how are we planning to celebrate?"

Stella didn't mind. They could celebrate however they wanted.

Angela suggested, "How about we all gather and light a fire? It'll be more festive."

Angela, unlike the others, had a home to miss. Even if she couldn't return, she longed to celebrate Christmas in her own way.

Lukas felt a pang of sadness. His wife had promised to take him to meet her parents during the holidays, but then disaster struck. Thinking of his wife's feelings, he quickly agreed, "We've had enough hardships. Let's celebrate together. Who knows, maybe things will be back to normal next year."

Stella preferred quiet, as any commotion could attract danger in these times. But she had spent so much time cooped up in the apartment. Even though she practiced with Jasper every day, he was a man of few words. Besides providing professional training guidance, he didn't say much.

Jasper, who was notoriously bad at cooking, had no objections either. Rosie clapped her hands in excitement, "Great! I finally get to spend Christmas with my brother."

Jasper ruffled her hair, "Yes, this year I won't be working, so I can spend Christmas with Rosie."

For some reason, when Stella heard this, she felt it wouldn't be just this year, but many more to come. After finishing their roast and filling up on pasta and sweet potatoes, everyone sat back, satisfied.

"We really need Stella's cooking skills to enjoy such a feast."

"Don't get used to it," Stella warned, "I don't have much left."

"We have some frozen meat left, but without your cooking skills, it would be a waste."

Stella modestly replied, "Jasper cooked the pot roast; it had nothing to do with me."

Lukas, complaining that Stella didn't teach him, said, "One day you have to teach me how to cook for my wife."

Stella visibly cringed at the thought, "I'm sorry for your wife."

After a hearty meal and a refreshing shower, Stella settled down with a book and a box of chocolates Jasper had gifted her. They were expensive, imported chocolates, smooth and rich in taste.

She noticed that the box was heart-shaped. Probably just a marketing trick, she thought.

As Christmas approached, they decided to gather some firewood for the celebrations. But the nearby Griffith Mountain had been stripped clean of trees. The closest woodlands, Ivywood Estates, was a day's trip away. "Stella, are you coming?" they asked.

"I'd rather freeze," Stella replied dismissively.

Jasper echoed her sentiments, "Rosie and I don't mind the cold."

Upon hearing that they were going to gather firewood, Katie suggested, "Wood is heavy, so why not turn into charcoal and bring it back?"

Charcoal? They didn't know how to make it.

Katie laughed and explained how to make charcoal.

Lukas, who wasn't familiar with such things, was lost. But Cody, who was quick to understand, thanked Katie for her advice.

It's not practical to travel back and forth daily. Room 1803 residents took a snow shovel and a tent, vowing not to return without several hundred pounds of charcoal. "Stella, Jack, I entrust the 18th floor to you. We'll be back victorious." Going out to chop wood was dangerous, but they couldn't survive without firewood for warmth.

Stella cautioned, "Stay safe and don't sleep too soundly at night."

In terms of safety, they had confidence. They carried a crossbow and guns with them, capable of taking down anyone. Besides, they had Angela, the seasoned boxer, which gave Cody and Lukas a sense of security.

However, Cody wanted to take Cooper with them. The dog wanted to go out and have some fun, but in the end, it resisted the temptation and firmly held onto its owner's leg.

As they left, the 18th floor fell silent. Stella suddenly didn't know how to communicate with Jasper. "Um, it's almost Christmas, and I want to go out and buy some supplies. Will you stay and watch over the place?"

Jasper didn't need to buy anything, and besides, it was getting more dangerous as the holiday approached. After all, even thieves and robbers celebrated Christmas. The 18th floor needed someone to guard it. "I'll stay." When leaving, Stella left the dog for Jasper to train. Being a helpful and friendly neighbor, she asked, "Is there anything I can bring for you?"

Jasper thought for a moment and replied, "Not for now, but if there's something suitable, you can bring it for me."

Stella didn't really know what would be suitable for him. Perhaps it was just a casual remark. She didn't pay much attention to it and went to the department store alone.

Now that conditions allowed, she wanted to enjoy the present. After all, one never knew when they would die, and it would be a waste to let all the supplies in Arcadia go unused.

If she was going to do something, she wanted it to be festive. She needed to go on a quest.

As Christmas approached, the stalls in the department store were livelier than before. There were even people selling Christmas trees and wreaths.

Unfortunately, the survivors struggled to fill their stomachs, let alone have extra food to buy a Christmas tree.

Stella watched the commotion in front of the stall and reminisced about the prosperous times during Christmas. Her expression turned melancholic.

To be honest, the wreaths were beautifully made, showing profound skills. It seemed that the person had been pretty famous before the apocalypse. "How much are they?" Stella asked.

The middle-aged man, shivering to keep warm, replied, "Five wreaths for half a pound of rice or flour."

The man had been unable to make a single sale for several days, and he seemed anxious. "Young lady, these were made by me personally. You can tell from the work. They are definitely worth this price. You won't be cheated if you buy them."