Chapter 344
Leaning against Jaspers shoulder, Ste recounted her recent trials and the world marred by acid rain. Even Jasper, who had experienced it once
before, was taken aback by the severity of the acid rain. He dreaded to think what the future might hold.
Ste checked him over for injuries and, finding none, asked, “Did you get burned by the acid rainst time?”
"Yeah, but I found shelter quickly enough." He had scars on his arms and face from where he’d toughed it out, leaving pitted reminders of his ordeal.
This time around, Cooper and Rosie had behaved at home, "They''re fine, the medicine you left wasn''t needed."
Not needing it was the best oue.
Ste wrapped her arms around Jasper''s neck, "You''ve been through a lottely, Jasper.”
He shrugged it off, just feeling a bit sexually frustrated by the situation, and seized the opportunity to ask, "With all the time you spent studying, did
you get it all down?"
Ste hesitated, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Lying on the soft king-sized bed, the weary pair drifted into a deep sleep.
Ste was roused in the early morning by Jasper’s gentle voice, "Ste, it''s time to head out.”
Blinking away sleep, she saw it was just past five, the sky still dark. Nevertheless, she rose to brush her teeth, have breakfast. and don her bulky
protective gear, ready to leave Arcadia with Jasper.
At six in the morning. visibility was poor in the dim light. It was still raining, but the downpour was less intense than before, and the streets were so
quiet you could only hear the persistent patter of rain. The visibility wasn''t very good, and Jasper walked in front. shielding Ste behind him
After about half an hour, the day gradually brightened, but it remained gloomy with no sign of clearing.
Acid rain had corroded the streetlights and wires; the bulbs had long since ceased to glow, leaving only the steady drip of rain.
A sudden downpour had thrown all the survivors’ ns into disarray, and those caught outside were still trapped.
Seeking shelter in stores was slightly better, as one could beg for water or find a ce to rest. And if hunger became unbearable, looting was the next
course of action.
Huddled under an awning was more problematic, where one had to endure hunger and cold while constantly fearing acid ssh. After two days of
this torment, many were on the brink of copse.
So when they saw someone in a protective suit weaving through the acid rain, it was enough to break them downpletely.
Some cried out for help, while others, in their desperation, threw things. Kill them, and their suits would be yours.
Thankfully, the streets were wide, and the rubber suits thick enough to prevent injury.
After a day''s rest and just starting their journey, Ste''s temper was shorter than Jasper''s. Seeing who was throwing things, she stooped to pick up a
rock and threw it back.
"Ah!" A scream pierced the air as the assant was hit, blood streaming down his forehead. He clutched his head, intending to curse, but silenced
himself at the sight of Ste''s fierce eyes behind her mask.
Others who had been looking on scurried away. Geez, she was fierce.
The pair continued on their way. Perhaps because Griffith had fewer people than Swan Hill, there were not as many survivors affected by the acid
rain.
Concrete buildings, though hastily rebuilt after the disasters, were not as sturdy as before. Their structures and drainage systems were inferior, and if
the acid rain persisted. the concrete might not hold up.
Ste inspected a piece of concrete that had fallen to the roadside, its surface pitted from corrosion. She was relieved their vi had been fitted with a
ss canopy: otherwise, it might not have withstood the relentless acid downpour.
Perhaps it was having her loved one by her side that made her footsteps feel lighter than the day before. After ten hours, they finally made it through
the acid rain and back home.
With the arrival of the acid rain, the neighborhood fell quiet again, everyone hiding in their homes, trembling with fear. They had not only the acid rain
to contend with but also the looming crisis of soil and water contamination. If unaddressed, chaos would likely ensue in the neighborhood.
Jasper seemed to guess her thoughts, "Bran''s a quick thinker. He warned everyone to store water a few days ago on themunity channel.”
But hoarding water was not a long-term solution: contamination was not an issue that could be resolved overnight.
Ste was curious, "How did you deal with it before?"
Jasper recalled, "The government drilled deep wells for groundwater, which was filtered before use.”
Being affiliated with the government, he had departments to handle these matters. How ordinary survivors coped was unclear.
Either way. until the cataclysmic shifts. the contaminated soil remained barren.
Arriving back at Building 50, even before Jasper could unlock the door, Cooper''s whines echoed from the second floor. He smelled them.
Ste felt an immense relief; she had traversed over thirty kilometers to finally be home.
Upon entering, Cooper, who had bounded down from upstairs, was so excited he nearly leaped at her. Ste quickly cautioned, "Stay still.”
After cleaning the protective gear and hanging it up, she affectionately embraced Cooper, "I''m back!”
"Ste." Rosie followed, jumping into the fray.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
Cooper and Rosie circled Ste as Jasper stood off to the side, touching his nose in amusement, "Everything okay at home?"
Rosie snuggled into her brother, "Yeah, Cooper and I have been eating well.”
Under Ste''s tutge, Rosie''s cooking skills were nothing to scoff at. and she had taken good care of Smoky and Snowy as well.
Despite the world outside being battered by acid rain, the home was a haven of warmth, with Rosie still wearing her apron, "Ste, dinner''s ready.
Just need to whip up one more dish.”
Ste smiled knowingly, having raised Rosie from a kid to a capable little chef.
Braised pork ribs, scrambled eggs with chives, meatball soup, and sautéed greens — all Rosie''s handiwork.
the
The greens were grown on
rooftop garden, and whi
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Rosie Rad been using an incubator
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The house had gained another hard worker, and Ste couldn''t have been more pleased
With rain came early darkness, and as they switched on the lights, they shared a quiet, heartwarming meal
After a grueling period, Ste finally took a few days to rest at hame, allowing her body to fully recover.
Jasper maintained a frightening
level of self-discipline, training his
sister andthe dog without fail and-~
remindivig Rosie to conserve water,
"The water’ s contaminated. We''ve
onlygot a few water tanks, g0 we
need to use it sparingly." Content
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Although Ste''s Arcadia was not short on water, it was crucial not to neglect instilling a sense of crisis in Rosie.
Rosie nodded and took a moment to call Dn on the walkie-talkie, "Dn, the water''s contaminated. Be careful to save water at your ce. You
don’t want to die of thirst.”
They had little to spare and would not lend any.
Suddenly finding herself with free time, Ste was unustomed to the lull, idly flicking through channels on the walkie-talkie.
The neighborhood chat was buzzing
with life. Theréswere folks buttering
up Bran, thadking him for the
heads-upXo" stock up on bottled
water, others fretting over the
possibiit ity of their rooftop decks
rottiay through, and sti I others
lamenting the untimely demise of
their homegrown lettuce-Ste
listened in silence, without uttering a
word.
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She made her way to the balcony and the backyard, finding the ss greenhouse intact.
Smoky and Snowy had long stopped bearing bunnies. but their lineage continued to flourish, one generation after the next
Recalling the many trials they had been through together, Ste rewarded them with a te of minced meat and gently stroked the rabbits'' heads,
saying, "Eat up, my brave little warriors. You''ve earned it."