18 Floors Above the Apocalypse



With Iran no longer a threat to Arcadia, Stella felt like a massive burden had been lifted off her shoulders. Life on the open sea could be stifling, so soaking in a hot spring was the perfect way to unwind.

That evening, they had a feast to celebrate. Salt and pepper shrimp, roast chicken, beef skewers, and a mouth-watering lobster thermidor were on the menu. The three of them raised their glasses, Stella's smile blooming like a summer rose. "Here's to a world without Iran," she toasted. Cooper, who couldn't drink alcohol, opted for a fizzy orange soda instead.

Dinner lasted well over an hour. Afterwards, Rosie cleared the table while Cooper helped with the dishes, making sure everything was spotless. Stella picked the freshest Sunburst roses, washed them, and settled on the couch to watch a movie. Jasper peeled the rose petals and playfully popped them into her mouth. "Thanks, Jasper," she said with a laugh, still amused by such romantic gestures despite their long marriage.

This was perhaps their most comfortable moment in Arcadia-no need to hide anything from Rosie, just a family on the sofa, speaking their minds freely. The villa had plenty of rooms, with Cooper and Rosie enjoying a spacious chamber to themselves.

After eradicating the threat that had been looming over them, they could now fully enjoy their time at Arcadia. When it was time for bed, Jasper closed the windows and doors and reached into the drawer for some contraceptives. Stella hadn't expected they'd celebrate their victory in such a way, but the physical satisfaction was undeniable. Exhausted but content, the two embraced tightly.

It was this cruel, post-apocalyptic world that had brought Stella and Jasper together, a perfect mental and physical match. Sometimes, Stella couldn't help but wonder if it hadn't been for the disaster, would they have ever crossed paths? The thought alone filled her with a deep sense of loss.

Stella mused that Jasper was the man who accepted her unconditionally in this harsh world. She couldn't resist asking, "If you hadn't met me, what kind of woman would you have fallen for?" Jasper, not wanting to entertain hypotheticals, simply said, "There are no 'ifs' in life; such assumptions are meaningless." But Stella wouldn't let it go, playfully tickling him until he spoke.

Jasper admitted that attraction is a mysterious thing. Without it, even beauty is meaningless. But once it's sparked, it could be just a moment that changes everything. "You didn't have designs on me from the start, did you?" "No," he replied honestly. "I just thought you were rather peculiar." Living next door, it was natural to want to understand her, but the more he learned, the more he wanted to know. At some point, she had become important to him.

Jasper wasn't the smoothest talker, and he worried his reserved nature might bore Stella. Luckily, she was lively enough for both of them. Their connection felt natural and complementary. Stella kissed him, "Jasper, you're really wonderful too."

They slept without dreams, and when they awoke, it was already the dead of night. Yesterday's indulgence meant that today they couldn't be reckless. With an uncertain future, they had to save their resources. While Stella was making calculations, the colossal squid had already left the area. For safety, instead of using a submarine or yacht, they chose the escape pod—a more secure option.

The three of them, along with their dog, boarded the escape pod and quickly left Arcadia. As soon as they surfaced, multiple forces attacked,- dragging the pod down towards the ocean floor. Stella and the others were shocked as they saw red, horn-like tentacles gripping the pod. The squid, with its tentacles thicker than a grown man's leg, easily ensnared the pod, dragging it deeper while constricting it in an attempt to crush it.

But the escape pod was not like other crafts; made of aerospace materials, it was a fortress hard to destroy. Just as Stella had predicted, the squid couldn't crush the pod. As soon as the tentacles loosened, the pod floated upwards. Loosen, grip, constrict, loosen. The squid, both irascible and playful, fought over the pod, continuing their futile efforts.

As the squids' internal strife

escalated, the squid king noticed the

commotion. With a flick of its

enormous tentacle, it sent the escape pod flying. Its strength was immense, propelling the pod dozens of meters away. The pod soared, spun in the air, then crashed into the sea, bobbing with the waves. After the boss had flung it, none dared to chase. The trio and their dog, dizzy from the spinning, were finally free from the squid's lair. Drifting further away until they vanished from sight.

After three hours, assured of their safety, Stella and the crew returned to Arcadia, switched to the submarine, and set out again. Submerging to an appropriate depth, they sat in front of the observation window, enjoying a morning tea. Stella sipped soy milk and nibbled on steamed dumplings, only to look up and see a massive shape charging towards them. Ah, it was Blue Blue.

Today, the creature seemed particularly lively, and its bumps against the submarine were much gentler-probably a sign of its triumphant mood. The creature circled around the submarine, drifting away only to return again and again. Rosie cocked her head, pondering, "Is Blue Blue saying goodbye to us?" Stella considered this for a moment and then nodded, "Seems like it."

The currents in this part of the

ocean were complex andContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

el.n

treacherous, not exactly hospitable for a creature of Blue Blue's size. The only reason the whale lingered was to seek vengeance for its offspring. Now that the debt of blood had been settled, it was time for Blue Blue to return to the deep blue where it belonged. The submarine, affectionately dubbed 2688, began its ascent. The trio, along with their loyal dog, stepped out of the vessel to bid farewell.