18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 13

Knowing that the tenant of 1801, Jasper, was aloof was one thing, but she didn't know he was prone to violence, especially towards children. Seeing Rosie's demeanor, it seemed like she had grown accustomed to the beatings. No wonder she was always running to Stella's apartment. Was she hiding from her abusive brother?

"Why does he hit you?"

Even though it was someone else's family matter, child abuse was too much. Stella didn't ask Rosie about her past, but from her observations of Rosie's skittish gaze and her somewhat sycophantic personality, she couldn't help but recall her own unpleasant childhood memories, "Rosie, is he your real brother?"

That was why she didn't turn Rosie away.

"He teaches me to box." Rosie rubbed her bruised arm and gave Stella a sweet smile, "I got hit because I didn't dodge in time, and I fell a few times too."

Only then did Stella understand that Rosie had been practicing boxing for the past few days, for as much as five hours a day.

"Ma’am, let me show you my boxing."

Without waiting for Stella's response, she walked into a spacious area and assumed a stance. Rosie, who was usually a timid and shy little girl, suddenly became fierce when she started to box. Her posture was as if she had transformed into a completely different person. Her boxing style was military, her movements were standard and powerful, and her posture was particularly sharp, her eyes fierce and full of spirit.

Stella was dumbfounded. Rosie was even better than her. Stella complimented her, which made Rosie blush, "You're so nice." Her brother never praised her, no matter how well she did.

The number of bruises on Rosie's body indicated that she had been trained harshly. It was a hurricane day, and this high-intensity training for a four- or five-year-old child was alarming.

It seemed Jasper was preparing Rosie for something horrifying, for her to have self-defense abilities in the future?

Rosie's movements were precise, something that couldn't be learned from videos alone.

Stella didn't ask any further. She then applied some herbal wine on Rosie's bruises, "Soak it in hot water tonight."

After getting some fresh air, Rosie kissed her pet bunny and reluctantly left.

……

The apartment building was chaotic. There were fights, curses, and people ready to physically harm each other at the drop of a hat. The terrible weather and living conditions brought out the worst in people.

The original residents of the 9th floor and the inhabitants of the 2nd floor who were squeezed in the corridor argued for half a day and almost resorted to knives. When the residents of the 9th floor woke up early in the morning, they found that their house had been burgled and the little food they had left was gone. The hurricane seemed never-ending, and this was their lifeline. Which bastard did this!

The inhabitants of the 2nd floor were huddled at their doorstep. If a thief had really entered, it was impossible not to notice.

Both families were dissatisfied and squabbled, causing a ruckus. The thefts weren't just limited to the 9th floor. Other floors also had their share of burglaries. Even if the homeowners were awakened, they couldn't see clearly in the dark, and the robbers always wore masks.

It was not just one or two, but a group committing robbery. Even though there were people living in the corridor, they didn't dare to move in face of the shiny knife, their eyes complex and dark, even gleaming with a light of schadenfreude. The victims deserved it; they should starve too.

Others who heard the cries for help didn't dare to help, instead they barricaded their rooms with refrigerators or sofas, praying that they wouldn't break in.

Stella adjusted her schedule, sleeping after dinner when it got dark, setting an alarm for midnight and then getting up to do various physical training exercises.

Just after a few days, she heard noises outside. She pressed herself against the door and listened, indeed someone was trying to pick the lock.

These past few days have been chaotic and crazy, with several groups knocking on the door during the day, asking if there was any food to spare, the children were nearly starved.

After being trapped for 10 days, with no water, electricity or gas, which family would still have stored food? Even if there were some, giving to this family but not to that one could potentially incite those starving to the point of desperation to swarm up and tear you apart.