18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 531

As Stella zoned out, the car had already pulled up in front of a quaint standalone property with a spacious yard, roughly half an acre in size. A two-meter-high stone wall marked the perimeter, and in the center stood a modular home made up of five rooms, all topped with solar panels. This modest abode was the residence of the chief officer of Griffith Base.

Before the catastrophe, it would have been seen as nothing more than a construction site shed, but now it represented the height of luxury. Light spilled from one of the rooms, and upon hearing the noise outside, someone hurried out to greet them.

The figure, with a neat bob haircut, wearing dark trousers and a light-colored short-sleeved shirt, appeared to be in their forties. "Old Gus, did you pick up Stella?" they called out.

Stella blinked in surprise; it was Vanessa. Seeing her dressed so casually, Stella figured she and Daniel must have finally hit it off. Under the cover of night, it was hard to discern Daniel's expression as he simply grunted in affirmation.

Vanessa approached warmly, moving to help with the luggage, but quickly recoiled when something leaped out from the shadows. "Aunt Sue, this is Stella's wolf and dog," Mark explained.

Keeping a wolf and dog in the post-apocalyptic world? Vanessa was taken aback but figured Stella must have been living well. As long as Stella hadn't suffered, Old Gus could rest easy.

The luggage consisted of two large hiking backpacks, both carried effortlessly by Jasper. "You're finally here, Stella," Vanessa said with a smile, stepping forward. "It's all that matters, Old Gus has been so worried these past years."

She ushered them inside. "I've cleared out a room for you. Come on in." The room wasn't large, just big enough for a metal frame bed a little over a meter wide, dressed with fresh linen, pillows, and blankets. Only in the chief's home could one find such luxuries as semi-new towels—Vanessa had truly outdone herself.

Stella didn't have a particularly strong opinion of Vanessa but appreciated that she and Daniel could look after each other—a wise choice in these times. Of the five rooms—one a master bedroom, another a kitchen, a study, and two others used occasionally for office work or hosting—two were now allotted to Stella and her company. Sue had cleaned them meticulously.

Eager to attend to their needs, Vanessa offered, "You must be hungry. I'll whip up a late-night snack." Stella stopped her, "We've already eaten."

It was Vanessa's first time playing stepmom, and she was on edge, worried she wasn't doing enough. Back at the base, Stella had even resisted her own father, let alone an outsider like Vanessa. Standing next to Daniel, Vanessa kept quiet, reading the atmosphere between father and daughter. When Stella remained silent and Daniel at a loss for words, he finally managed to say, "Stella, if you need anything, let your Aunt Sue know tomorrow and we'll take care of it."

Stella replied coolly, "Everything's fine as it is." With no need for a late-night snack or anything else, Daniel suggested, "It's getting late. You should all get some rest." Vanessa was considerate, "I'll heat some water for you to wash up and sleep better." Soon enough, she brought over a jug of warm water mixed with a bit of cold. Jasper thanked her, seeing Daniel out.

...

Half-asleep, Stella was roused by the distant sounds of military drills—a spirited cadence that evoked memories of the world before disaster struck. Stella stretched lazily, noting the sky was just beginning to brighten, but there was already a bustle in the yard. The walls of the wooden cabin were thin, and Vanessa had risen early to tidy up and start on breakfast. Next door, the thankless pups, as if on cue, began frolicking and making a racket in the courtyard. Stella was used to sleeping in, but she wasn't at her own home, so lounging in bed felt a bit improper. After changing, they stepped out to find Vanessa nearly done in the kitchen; she had even laid out towels and toothbrushes, though there was no toothpaste—just a jar of salt to dip into. She advised, "We're not too far from the beach, and the well water can be a bit off, possibly with parasites, so it's best to drink it boiled."

The land had only risen a year ago, the sea harbored ancient viruses, and no one knew the condition of the groundwater. In the past, those with weaker constitutions had suffered stomach pains after drinking it. Daniel had a special status; his family lived better than most, with access to solar power, and Vanessa was careful with everything that went into cooking, ensuring it was safe to eat. This was luxury by the outpost's standards, but it still paled in comparison to Stella's usual fare. Yet, she didn't show any disdain, adapting to the local customs. Vanessa's thoughts were her own, but her hospitality was flawless on the surface.

After freshening up, they gathered at the table for breakfast. Porridge, boiled sweet potatoes and yams, tinned luncheon meat, tinned black beans, and a plate of fish cakes replaced the traditional Chinese breakfast spread. The arid land yielded tiny, rough-textured crops, yet these were still a rarity for the average person. And as for the porridge, Griffith base had its paddy fields, but harsh weather and pests meant that even with meticulous care, a field might not yield 200 pounds of rice, let alone enough to save for seeding. Vanessa probably didn't enjoy such meals often herself, yet she spared no effort in treating Stella. The canned goods, relics from before the ocean pollution, were likely in short supply even before they left the base.

Stella said little, but her observant eyes missed nothing. She sipped at the porridge, leaving the rest untouched. Vanessa was enthusiastic, urging Stella to try this and that, but Stella only hummed in response, her chopsticks motionless. The neighbor's rambunctious dogs hadn't eaten last night and were now hungrily eyeing the food, scampering over to Stella for a share. "Bark!" "Howl...woo..." Breakfast was the best Vanessa could offer, yet Stella barely touched anything but the porridge. It could be interpreted as disdain, or perhaps she simply didn't favor the company. Eager to please, Vanessa picked up a yam and called the dogs over to eat. But they didn't even spare it a glance...