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justice4gyeongsu · 20 days ago

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━━━ 'CHAPTER FIFTEEN' [WHEN DAWN BREAKS]

SYNOPSIS ➢ soju is becoming the most honest friend you know.

PAIRING ➢ lee suhyeok x male!reader

AU ➢ enemies-to-lovers au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; flashbacks, alot of angst, signs of depression, isolation, sensual undertones, anxiety, feeling of overwhelmed, jealousy, small intimate scene, mentions of bullying, death, depression, some fluff, reoccuring ptsd, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

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as the morning sun rose, its warm rays crept into the room, gently coaxing you awake. you stirred beneath the blanket, slowly opening your eyes to find the room bathed in a soft, golden light. the sunlight danced across the floor, illuminating the space with a sense of new beginnings. you lay there for a moment, taking in the peaceful atmosphere, feeling the calmness of the morning wash over you. the events of the previous night began to resurface in your mind, and you couldn't help but wonder what the day ahead might bring. with a quiet sigh, you tossed off the blanket and sat up, rubbing the sleep from your eyes as you gazed out into the bright, sunlit room.

as you sat up and looked around the room, you noticed that only three of you remained: you, daesu, and wujin. the others were nowhere to be seen, and the room was quiet, except for the soft sounds of daesu's and wujin's gentle snores. you reached for the water bottle on your bedside table, unscrewed the cap, and took a refreshing sip. the cool liquid soothed your parched throat, and you felt a sense of relief wash over you. as you drank, you couldn't help but wonder where suhyeok and the others had gone, and what the day's plans might be.

you stood up, arching your back and stretching your arms overhead, feeling the satisfying cracks and pops as your joints released the tension of a night's sleep. you bent to one side, then the other, feeling the stretch in your ribs and hips. finally, you straightened up, feeling a bit more limber and awake. you walked over to the windows, where the bright sunlight was streaming in, and reached out to untie the curtains. as the fabric flowed down, it filtered the harsh sunlight, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. you adjusted the curtains, letting them cover just enough of the window to soften the light, and stepped back to survey the result. the room felt cozier now, the sunlight tamed and gentle.

you slid the door open quietly and made your way to the bathroom, feeling a sense of relief as you took care of your morning necessities. as you finished up and began washing your hands, your eyes landed on the collection of travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpaste on the counter.

a small smile spread across your face as you realized kyungho must have thoughtfully provided them for you. you quickly grabbed a toothbrush and began brushing your teeth, feeling a sense of gratitude towards kyungho's considerate gesture. just as you were finishing up, you heard a quiet knock at the door. you hummed a response, not able to speak with your mouth still full of toothpaste. you quickly rinsed your mouth and opened the door to find hroryeong and minji standing in the hallway, both of them looking bleary-eyed and tired.

you gave a small bow with your head, a gentle good morning greeting, and hroryeong and minji returned the gesture, their own bows equally subtle. as they slipped into the bathroom to start their morning routines, you made your way downstairs, holding onto the wall for support. your feet felt a bit unsteady, and the cool morning air didn't help.

as you reached the bottom of the stairs, you looked around, taking in the quiet atmosphere of the house. you wandered through the aisles, searching for any signs of life, and as you turned into the second-to-last aisle, you spotted a cluster of familiar faces. onjo, cheongsan, hari, suhyeok, and kyungho were all huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. you crossed your arms over your chest, feeling a chill run down your spine as the cool air seemed to seep into your bones. just as you were taking in the scene, onjo turned around, a bright smile spreading across her face. "hi, cutie," she said, her voice loud and affectionate, making sure the others heard her endearing greeting.

you responded with a low "good morning," accompanied by a small bow, your voice a bit raspy from the morning air. "i take it you slept well," kyungho said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. you nodded, a sleepy smile spreading across your face, still feeling a bit groggy. just as you were starting to feel more awake, onjo swooped in, her hands reaching up to gently tame your hair, which was sticking up in every direction. you hadn't even noticed, nor had you cared, but onjo seemed determined to fix it for you. her fingers worked through the tangled locks, smoothing out the knots with a gentle touch. you stood there, passively accepting her ministrations, feeling a sense of comfort and tranquility wash over you.

as onjo continued to fix your hair, you couldn't help but feel a sense of relaxation wash over you. her touch was gentle and soothing, and you found yourself leaning into her hands, letting out a soft sigh of contentment. the others watched the scene with amusement, suhyeok's eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. cheongsan and hari exchanged a knowing glance, while kyungho looked on with a warm expression. onjo, seemingly satisfied with her handiwork, stepped back to admire her efforts. "there, all fixed," she said, a pleased smile on her face. you reached up to touch your hair, feeling a sense of gratitude towards onjo for her thoughtful gesture.

you asked, your voice a bit stronger now, "did everyone sleep okay?" you looked around at the group, taking in their varied expressions. onjo nodded, still smiling, while cheongsan and hari exchanged a tired glance. kyungho rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes looking a bit sleepy, and suhyeok simply nodded, his face calm and serene. "yeah, we're all good," onjo said, speaking for the group. "although some of us," she added, glancing at cheongsan and hari, "might need a bit more coffee to fully wake up." cheongsan and hari chuckled, nodding in agreement, and the group shared a gentle laugh.

the group's laughter faded away, everyone's attention was drawn upwards, where the creaking of the old wooden floorboards and the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. it seemed the rest of the group was starting to stir, and the morning was slowly coming to life.

you turned to kyungho, a smile still on your face, and said, "thank you again for letting us stay for the night." kyungho's expression turned serious, and he glanced warily at onjo and hari before turning back to you. his voice was cautious as he said, "...it might be more than one night." the implication hung in the air, and you sensed that there was more to kyungho's statement than met the eye. onjo and hari exchanged a knowing glance, their faces somber, and the atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming more subdued.

you turned to cheongsan, confusion etched on your face, and asked, "what do you mean?" you rubbed your arms, trying to warm yourself up, as the cool morning air seemed to seep into your bones.

suhyeok's voice was low and serious as he explained, "we were planning to leave, but there's a horde of the infected outside, in the front and back of the store. there's way too many to leave." he didn't look at you, instead, his gaze was fixed on cheongsan, as if trying to come up with a plan.

you felt a surge of alarm at his words, and your eyes widened as you exclaimed, "wait, what? there was literally only two yesterday.." you tried to wrap your head around the sudden change, and your mind was filled with questions. how did the number of infected increase so rapidly?

you nodded and said, "i'm gonna head upstairs and let everyone know we're gonna wait it out." everyone nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination, as you turned to leave. as you climbed the stairs, the creaking of the old wooden steps beneath your feet seemed to echo through the silent morning air. you heard kyungho speak up, his voice low and thoughtful, "we can pack stuff up and just wait for the crowd to die down, then as soon as we get an opening, we can head for it." he suggested, leaning on the register counter, his eyes fixed on some point in front of him. cheongsan's voice was laced with concern as he replied, "we don't know how long it'll take." he shook his head, his brow furrowed in worry.

hari chimed in, her voice firm but measured, "i mean, if we wanna take the challenge and all of us go out there right now, we'd be risking half the group." the weight of hari's words were heard, and everyone could sense the gravity of the situation. the others nodded in agreement, their faces somber, as they considered the risks.

you reached the top of the stairs and began to make your way to the rooms, wondering how the others would take the news. the sound of murmured conversations and rustling movements drifted from the rooms, as the rest of the group slowly stirred to life. you slid open the wooden door and stepped into the boys' room, where daesu was just sitting up, holding his head in his hands, a look of pain etched on his face. you spoke quietly, trying not to startle him, "morning daesu." you walked over to your bed, where your water bottle from the night before was still sitting, and grabbed it. you quickly jogged over to daesu, holding out the bottle like a lifeline. "here, you need electrolytes," you said, as you handed him the water bottle, his "holy grail" as you had come to think of it.

daesu looked up at you, his eyes squinting slightly, and took the bottle from you, his expression a mix of gratitude and relief. he unscrewed the cap and took a long swig, the water seeming to revive him slightly.

you leaned in close to daesu and whispered, "everyone's gonna stay for a few more hours, so you've got some time to recover." daesu nodded slightly, his eyes still closed, as he took another sip of water, the condensation on the bottle glistening in the soft morning light. just then, wujin and mijin burst into the room, their voices chiming in unison, "we're staying?" they looked at each other, disgusted, before mijin turned to wujin and said, "yah! stop trying to be like me, little shit." she raised her hand, as if threatening to hit him, and wujin took a step back, a mock-innocent expression on his face, his eyes wide with feigned surprise. daesu, still holding his head, grimaced and said, "you two be quiet, you're making my head hurt more." his voice was low and gravelly, and you could tell he was still feeling the effects of the previous night. you couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the exchange, and instead, you reached out to rub daesu's back, trying to offer some comfort as he continued to drink his water. your hand moved in slow, soothing circles, and daesu leaned into your touch, his eyes still closed, as he let out a soft sigh.

your voice barely above a whisper, "hey, you two need to keep it down. we've got a situation outside." mijin and wujin exchanged a curious glance, and you continued, "the convenience store is surrounded by...those things. zombies. we can't leave right now, we have to wait it out." mijin's eyes widened, and wujin's face fell, as they processed the information. they looked at each other, then back at you, their expressions serious. mijin whispered, "how many?" and you shook your head, "i don't know, but it's a lot. kyungho said it's not safe to leave yet." wujin's eyes darted towards daesu, who was still sitting on the bed, nursing his water bottle, and mijin's gaze followed. they both nodded, seeming to understand the gravity of the situation, and mijin whispered, "we'll be quiet."

daesu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze still a bit unfocused, and looked at wujin. he nodded towards the window and said, his voice still low and rough, "wujin, check out the window. see for yourself." wujin nodded and carefully made his way over to the window, trying not to make any sudden movements. he slowly pulled back the curtain, and a sliver of morning light spilled into the room. wujin's eyes scanned the scene outside, and his expression changed from curiosity to alarm. he turned back to the group, his voice barely above a whisper, "it's...it's really bad. there are so many of them." mijin's eyes widened, and she took a step back, her face pale.

daesu nodded, his expression grim, and you could tell he was still feeling the effects of the previous night. you reached out and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, trying to offer some comfort.

you tried to reassure the group, "hey, we're safe in here. the infected don't know we're in the convenience store, so as long as we keep quiet, we should be okay." you glanced around the room, meeting the worried gazes of mijin and wujin. daesu nodded in agreement, adding, "and the front of the store is covered in newspaper, so they can't even see inside." he gestured vaguely in the direction of the storefront, his eyes still a bit glassy from his hangover. you nodded, trying to emphasize the point, "exactly. we're hidden from view, and as long as we don't make too much noise, we should be able to wait this out without any problems." mijin and wujin exchanged a nervous glance, but seemed to relax a bit at your reassurances. daesu, however, still looked a bit green around the gills, and you made a mental note to keep an eye on him.

the room fell silent, the only sound the distant shuffling and groaning of the infected outside. after a few moments, mijin spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper, "what's the plan, then?" she looked at you, then at daesu, who was still reclining on the bed. you shrugged, trying to think of a response. "i guess we just wait it out," you said finally. "kyungho and the others are downstairs, trying to come up with a plan. we'll just have to wait and see what they decide." mijin nodded, seeming to accept this.

hroryeong and namra walked into the room, hroryeong fussing with her bangs, a grimace on her face as she tried to shake off the lingering effects of her hangover. "you sleep okay?" you asked the two, trying to sound cheerful despite the dire circumstances. hroryeong nodded, her expression still a bit pinched, and namra nodded as well, his face serious.

"there's a lot of infected outside," namra said, her eyes locked on yours, her voice monotone and even. wujin spoke up, filling them in on the situation, "yeah, we're gonna wait it out." hroryeong let out a relieved sigh and plopped down on the end of daesu's bed, "thank god," she said, running a hand through her tangled hair. daesu, still reclining on the bed, opened one eye and looked at hroryeong, a small smile on his face, before closing his eye again and letting out a soft groan. the room was quiet for a moment, the only sound the distant shuffling of the infected outside, before mijin spoke up, "does anyone know how this happened? how did the infected just show up like that?"

everyone's gaze turned to namra, expecting her to have some answers, but she simply shook her head, her expression somber. "i asked them downstairs too, but no one knows," you added, shrugging your shoulders.

the room fell silent once again, the only sound the distant moaning of the infected outside. namra's eyes dropped, and she stared at the floor, her brow furrowed in concern. hroryeong reached out and put a comforting hand on her arm, but namra didn't respond, lost in her own thoughts.

mijin suddenly spoke up, "where's hari?" you replied, "she's downstairs with the others." no sooner had the words left your lips than mijin was already racing out of the room, her footsteps thundering down the stairs. "mijin, wait!" you called after her, but she was already gone, vanishing from sight in a flash. the others exchanged amused glances, and hroryeong chuckled, "guess she's worried about hari." daesu opened one eye, looked at hroryeong, and then closed it again, a small smile on his face. namra shook her head, a hint of a smile on her lips, and wujin just rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath. the room was quiet for a moment, before the sound of mijin's voice drifted up from downstairs, her tone anxious and urgent.

namra spoke up, "we should all meet up downstairs. we need to figure out what to do next." everyone nodded in agreement, and the group began to stir, slowly getting to their feet. daesu, still looking a bit rough around the edges, stumbled over to the sink and began to brush his teeth. you waited patiently for him to finish, and then the two of you made your way downstairs, joining the others in the main room of the convenience store. the atmosphere was tense, with everyone chatting in hushed tones, their faces serious and worried. hari and kyungho were deep in conversation, their heads bent together, while mijin paced back and forth, her eyes fixed on the floor. cheongsan and wujin were rummaging through the shelves, gathering supplies and stuffing them into backpacks.

as you and daesu entered, the group fell silent, looking to you for some kind of leadership. namra spoke up, "now that we're all here, we need to come up with a plan. we can't stay here forever."

kyungho raised his hand, a enthusiastic look on his face, "oh! if i can just say, uh, why not? there's food, drinks, a bathroom, running water..." he trailed off, expecting everyone to see the convenience store as the perfect temporary shelter. but before he could continue, suhyeok cut him off, his voice calm and measured, "that will eventually run out." you looked over at suhyeok, feeling a sense of comfort and reassurance at his presence. he was always the voice of reason, and you trusted his judgment implicitly. suhyeok continued, his tone firm but gentle, "we need to evacuate. we can't stay here forever, and the longer we wait, the more danger we'll be in." he didn't want to lead into an argument, but his words were firm, and you could tell he was determined to get everyone to safety.

cheongsan nodded in agreement with suhyeok, his expression serious, "i think suhyeok's right. some of our families are probably already evacuated, and we don't know what's going on outside. we need to try and find out what's happening and get to a safe place." he paused, thinking for a moment, cheongsan turned to you, his expression curious, "do you think any of your family members would've tried to stay or would they have evacuated?" you were taken aback by the question, and your mind went blank for a moment. you thought back to your family, trying to remember who might have stayed behind. but there was only one person who came to mind. your father. you hadn't seen him since the loan sharks had shown up at your apartment, wielding bats and threatening violence. you weren't even sure if he was still alive. the thought sent a pang of guilt and worry through your chest, and you felt yourself getting stuck in thought. but before you could get too caught up in your own worries, cheongsan spoke up softly, "y/n?" your head snapped up, and you shook off the fog, "uh, yeah. my dad probably already evacuated." you nodded in agreement with cheongsan, trying to push aside your doubts. but before you could say anything else, kyungho spoke up, his tone matter-of-fact, "okay, but if i can interrupt. if we go out there, we're not gonna make it. i can guarantee you that." namra's head tilted to the side as she looked at kyungho, a faintly puzzled expression on her face.

kyungho continued, his voice calm and rational, "i mean, think about it. we're safe in here, for now. we have food, water, and shelter. why risk going outside when we don't have to?" he paused, considering his next words carefully, "why don't we just stay another night? if by morning there's no zombies outside, then we can immediately leave. but if they're still out there... well, at least we'll know it's not safe." he looked around the room, his eyes meeting each of yours, "it's just one more night. and if it means staying alive, isn't it worth it?" the room fell silent, as everyone considered kyungho's suggestion. namra frowned, her brow furrowed in thought, while cheongsan nodded slowly, seeming to agree with kyungho's plan. suhyeok's expression was neutral, but you could sense him weighing the pros and cons.

namra spoke up, her voice firm and decisive, "as soon as the zombie horde is gone, we will all leave. we'll make a run for it, together." she looked around the room, her eyes meeting each of yours, and no one argued with her say-so. it was clear that namra had taken charge, and her plan was to get everyone out of there as soon as it was safe to do so. the room fell silent, with everyone nodding in agreement, and suhyeok gave a small nod of approval. kyungho looked relieved, and cheongsan nodded enthusiastically. you felt a sense of determination wash over you, knowing that you were all in this together, and you would get through it as a team.

wujin spoke up, "hey, i found some pre-boiled eggs. does anyone want some with milk for breakfast?" everyone agreed, and wujin began to hand out the eggs and milk. namra, however, declined the offer and instead grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it down. "fuck, it's so cold down here in the morning," mijin said, shivering. you looked at her and asked, "where's your archery jacket at?" mijin shrugged, "i guess kyungho's washing all our clothes, right?" she said, sounding uncertain.

you thought for a second, wondering where your clothes were. you instantly begin looking for kyungho who walked away after the discussion. you walked over to a door that you hadn't noticed before, which had a sign that read "employees only". you pushed the door open, curious about what might be inside.

you pushed open the door and stepped inside, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings. the room was filled with computers and office equipment, likely the manager's office before the outbreak. your eyes landed on a row of lockers against one wall, and then a side door that caught your attention. the sign on the door read "freezer", and it was wide open. you walked over to investigate and saw kyungho emerging from the freezer, a handful of cheese sticks in his grasp. he looked up and saw you, and his eyes widened in surprise. "oh shit," he exclaimed, clutching his heart. you couldn't help but laugh at his dramatic reaction. "sorry," you said, still chuckling. kyungho grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "no, you're more than okay," he said, his tone flirtatious. "came looking for me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

but you ignored his teasing tone and asked him a question instead. "some of the girls were wondering where their clothes were," you said. kyungho's expression changed to one of confusion. "why would i know where their clothes are?" he scoffed, taking a bite of his cheese stick. your face froze, shocked at his seriousness. "what? cause, you said you'd wash all our clothes..." you trailed off, feeling a growing sense of unease in your chest. kyungho pretended to think for a moment, his expression innocent. "oh! right, they're all on the roof drying," he said, his tone casual. "you wanna come see?" he asked, closing the freezer door behind him as he stepped out.

you smiled and said, "sure," and kyungho grinned, seeming to enjoy the opportunity to show you something. he walked over to a big red button on the wall next to the lockers and pressed it. suddenly, a small, squared door on the roof slid open, creaking slowly and mechanically. "cool, right?" kyungho said, putting down the rest of the cheese sticks on the desk next to him. then, a red metal ladder began to lower itself from the opening, unfolding slowly until it reached the floor. kyungho went up first, his movements careful and precise. you followed after, your eyes fixed on the ladder as you climbed.

you reached the outside roof, you felt a rush of warmth and light on your face, and you couldn't help but sigh in content. the sun was shining brightly, and the fresh air was a welcome change from the stale atmosphere of the convenience store. you looked around, taking in the view, and saw kyungho balancing carefully on the roof, his arms outstretched for balance. he grabbed your uniform shirt on a makeshift clothesline where your clothes, along with everyone else's, were drying in the sun. you gave him a thumbs up, still clinging to the ladder, and took in the sight of the city around you.

as you looked around, you took in the eerie silence of the city. the streets were empty, and the only sound was the gentle rustling of the wind through the buildings. you saw a few buildings in the distance, some of which appeared to be empty or abandoned. you wondered what had happened to the city, and how it had fallen so quickly. kyungho followed your gaze, and his expression turned somber. "it's not safe out there," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "we need to be careful." you nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of unease wash over you. you realized that you were lucky to have made it this far, and that you needed to stay vigilant if you wanted to survive.

you climbed back down the ladder, your eyes scanning the room below. you spotted the cheese sticks on the desk and grabbed one, taking a small bite as you leaned against the desk. kyungho climbed down after you, a sly grin spreading across his face as he walked over to the red button. he reached out to hold it, his eyes never leaving yours, and said, "you're welcome." you looked up at him, a hint of amusement in your voice, "i didn't say thank you." you took another bite of the cheese stick, your eyes locked on his. kyungho rolled his eyes sassily, "exactly." you couldn't help but laugh at his sudden sassiness, and you raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief. kyungho's grin grew wider, and he copied your gesture, raising an eyebrow of his own.

you rolled your eyes, a smile still playing on your lips, and turned to leave the room. as you walked away, you could feel kyungho's eyes on you, and you knew he was staring at your body. you didn't need to look back to confirm it, but you could sense his gaze lingering on you. you heard a faint smirk in his voice as he said, "hey, i think you still forgot to thank me for the cheese stick." you just shook your head, chuckling to yourself as you walked out of the room, leaving kyungho and his teasing behind.

"your jacket should be fully dried in an hour," you told mijin, who dramatically threw her head back and began to thank god. you couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. you then turned to wujin and added, "and our clothes too." wujin's face lit up with excitement as he pumped his fist in the air. "yes! those uniforms cost too much to lose," he exclaimed, crossing his arms and letting out a relieved sigh.

meanwhile, daesu was busy thanking suhyeok and cheongsan for taking care of him when his brother-in-law, wujin, had given up on him. daesu's expression was one of heartfelt gratitude as he spoke to the two, his words filled with appreciation for their help and support during his time of need. "thank you, thank you so much," daesu said, his voice sincere and emotional. "i don't know what i would have done if you guys hadn't been there for me." suhyeok and cheongsan exchanged an amused glance, happy to have been able to help daesu in his time of need. they smiled and nodded, accepting daesu's thanks, and the three of them shared a moment of warm camaraderie.

"suhyeok was helping multiple people," cheongsan said with a grin, giving suhyeok a playful smack on the chest. suhyeok rolled his eyes good-naturedly, chuckling at the teasing. daesu's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "who else was bad?" he couldn't remember what had happened after they'd had their first shot that night, and his friends' amused expressions only added to his confusion.

cheongsan gestured towards you, who was sitting with wujin, hari, and mijin, eating a boiled egg and holding yourself close to ward off the cold. "y/n?" daesu asked, his voice trembling with suppressed laughter. he covered his mouth, trying to stifle a grin. "wujin too, after we put you to bed," cheongsan added, a smile spreading across his face. "we had to get wujin to use the restroom before sleeping, but he wouldn't." cheongsan's eyes sparkled with mirth as he remembered the events of the previous night.

meanwhile, as everyone was having a great time staying in a safe place with their friends, a starkly different scene unfolded somewhere nearby. in a dimly lit apartment, the door creaked open, slightly ajar, as if someone had recently passed through it. on the floor, in front of the television, lay a man, unconscious and motionless. his body was battered, with bruises and blood leaking from his head, staining the cold, hard floor. the only sound in the apartment was the gentle whisper of the wind, which carried an eerie silence. the television, once a source of entertainment and comfort, now cast an eerie glow over the scene, its screen flickering with static. the man's stillness was unsettling, and the apartment seemed to be holding its breath, as if waiting for something – or someone – to stir.

hours had passed and you were in the boys' room, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of your friends' banter downstairs. you had decided to take a moment to stretch, and were currently lying on the floor, extending your arms above your head and arching your back. your muscles felt tight from the day's events, and you were trying to loosen them up. as you stretched, you could hear the sounds of your friends chatting and laughing in the background, and you felt a sense of comfort and security being surrounded by them.

as you continued to stretch, you heard wujin's voice behind you. "what are you doing?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone. you looked up to see him standing over you, a smile on his face. you smiled back, feeling a bit self-conscious about being caught stretching. "just trying to loosen up," you replied, sitting up and running a hand through your hair. wujin nodded, and then sat down beside you on the floor. "we should probably get some rest soon," he said, his expression turning serious. "we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow." you nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of unease wash over you. despite the comfort and security of being with your friends, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were all still in grave danger.

wujin's expression turned somber, and he looked at you with a hint of vulnerability. "hey, can i ask you something?" he said, his voice low and serious. "do you... have any bad feelings towards me? because of what happened when we were younger?" he paused, his eyes searching yours for any sign of resentment. but before he could continue, you instantly stopped him, your voice firm but controlled. "wujin, you need to stop bringing up the past," you said, your eyes locked on his. "it's done, and i don't want to dwell on it anymore." wujin's face fell, and he looked taken aback by your abrupt response. but you didn't back down, your expression resolute. you didn't want to reopen old wounds or revisit painful memories. you just wanted to move forward.

wujin nodded slowly, a small smile on his face. "okay," he said, his voice soft. "you're right. let's just focus on making new memories together, instead of dwelling on the past." he paused, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "we've got a lot of time to make up for, after all." he grinned, and you couldn't help but smile back at him. the tension between you seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of hope and possibility. you nodded, feeling a sense of agreement wash over you. "yeah," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. "let's make some new memories."

you stretched your legs out in front of you, feeling a sense of relaxation wash over you. "i'm surprised you still wanted to bring that up," you said, looking at wujin with a hint of curiosity. "i didn't think you were the sentimental type." wujin chuckled and slapped his thigh, a mischievous glint in his eye. "it's the soju," he said, grinning. you looked at him confused, raising an eyebrow. "have you already been drinking again?" you asked, a hint of amusement in your voice. wujin laughed, holding up his hands in defense. "no, no, it's not just me," he said, still chuckling. "cheongsan, suhyeok, and i were drinking and talking downstairs, and you came up in the conversation." he leaned in, a conspiratorial look on his face. "we were just reminiscing about old times, and i guess it got me feeling a little sentimental."

you stopped your stretching and turned to look at wujin, your eyes locking onto his with an expectant glint. "really?" you drawled out, your voice low and curious, as you shifted into a crisscross position, your eyes never leaving wujin's face. the air seemed to vibrate with anticipation, as if you were waiting for him to reveal some hidden secret or long-forgotten truth.

wujin's face broke out into a wide smile as he began to reminisce. "i remember how you would always want to play hopscotch as a kid," he said, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "and i would throw fits because i couldn't jump far enough!" you both burst out laughing at the memory, the sound filling the room with warmth and camaraderie. you wiped tears from your eyes, still chuckling. "well, i think you got your revenge," you said, grinning at wujin. "you're only a bit taller than me now." wujin's laughter grew louder, and he clutched his stomach, his eyes shining with amusement. "yeah, i guess i did!" he exclaimed, still chuckling. the two of you sat there for a moment, enjoying the warm glow of shared memories and laughter.

as your laughter died down, you asked wujin, "so, did cheongsan or suhyeok add anything to the conversation about me?" you looked at wujin with interest, not caring if one of them had said something more than the other. you simply hoped that wujin would share something, anything, that would give you a glimpse into what your friends had discussed. wujin's expression turned thoughtful, and he leaned back on his hands, a faraway look in his eyes. "actually," he began, his voice low and measured, "suhyeok said something that really made me think." he paused, his eyes refocusing on yours, and you felt a spark of curiosity ignite within you.

wujin's eyes locked onto yours, and he continued, "suhyeok said that he's always admired how strong you are, even when things get tough." wujin's voice was sincere, and you could tell that he was genuinely impressed by suhyeok's words. "he said that you have the ability to bounce back from anything." wujin's expression softened, and he looked at you with a newfound appreciation. "i have to admit, i've noticed that about you too," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "you're one of the strongest people i know."

you felt a warmth spread through your chest at wujin's words, but you wanted to make sure that suhyeok had actually said those things. you looked at wujin with a questioning expression, seeking confirmation. "suhyeok really said that?" you asked, your voice tinged with a hint of skepticism. wujin nodded emphatically, a smile still plastered on his face. "yeah, he did," wujin replied, his tone confident. "i'm not just making it up, i swear." he held up his hands in a gesture of innocence, and you couldn't help but laugh at his antics. but you were still curious, and you pressed wujin for more information. "what exactly did he say?" you asked, your eyes locked on wujin's.

wujin let out a dramatic groan, rolling his eyes good-naturedly. "if you really want to know, ask him yourself," he said, throwing up his hands in mock exasperation. you burst out laughing at his reaction, and your eyes scanned the floor for something to tease him with. your gaze landed on a random sock that had been discarded on the ground, and you picked it up, grinning mischievously. with a quick flick of your wrist, you tossed the sock at wujin, hitting him squarely on the chest. wujin looked down at the sock, then back up at you, a mock-offended expression on his face. "hey, what's with the sock?" he asked, laughing, as he pulled the sock off his chest and tossed it back at you. “cause youre annoying.” you reply.

you stood up, gesturing for wujin to follow you downstairs. "lets drink, i wanna have some again," you said with a smile, already heading towards the stairs. wujin jumped up from the floor, his eyes sparkling with excitement, and followed you down the steps carefully, making sure not to slip or stumble. as you descended, the sound of laughter and chatter grew louder, and you could smell the sweet aroma of soju and beer wafting. you quickened your pace, anticipation building in your chest, and wujin kept pace beside you, his grin matching yours.

as you reached the bottom of the stairs, you were greeted by the lively atmosphere of the kitchen. cheongsan and suhyeok were sitting at the table, surrounded by bottles of soju and beer, and they looked up at you with cheers and smiles. "welcome back!" cheongsan exclaimed, pouring you a shot of soju. suhyeok nodded in agreement, his eyes sparkling with amusement. wujin slipped into the empty seat beside suhyeok, and you took the seat next to cheongsan, feeling the warmth and camaraderie of the group envelop you. "so, what did i miss?" you asked, picking up the shot of soju and examining it with a grin.

cheongsan smiled at wujin and you, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "i knew you'd come back with something," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. he slapped your back a little too hard, causing you to playfully wince. wujin burst out laughing and put his hand up to shield you, "excuse me, samchon, i think that's enough drinking for you," he said, playfully teasing cheongsan. the group erupted into laughter again, and even cheongsan chuckled, his face flushing slightly. you watched the exchange, amused by wujin's quick wit and cheongsan's carefree demeanor. it was a side of cheongsan you hadn't seen before, and you found it endearing. you couldn't help but wonder if you had seemed just as relaxed and carefree yesterday, or if the drinking had just brought out a different side of cheongsan.

suhyeok spoke up, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. "we were just eating some desserts and drinking," he said, gesturing to the spread of sweets and drinks on the table. "figured, why not? the zombies are still out there, might as well enjoy ourselves while we can." cheongsan shrugged, his expression philosophical. the others nodded in agreement. despite the dangers and uncertainties outside, you had each other, and that was something to be cherished. cheongsan poured another round of drinks, and the group clinked their glasses together in a silent toast to friendship and survival.

just as you were starting to relax, the others came downstairs once again, and everyone began to rearrange themselves into a big circle. you hadn't even noticed suhyeok get up and move, but now he was sitting right across from you, his eyes locked on yours with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat. the circle was complete, with snacks and drinks piled high in the middle for everyone to share. the atmosphere was lively and festive, but you couldn't shake the feeling that suhyeok's gaze was burning a hole through you.

just as suhyeok's gaze was starting to make you feel uncomfortable, kyungho returned from the restroom and scooted in between you and hari, breaking the intense eye contact between you and suhyeok. suhyeok's gaze changed in an instant, his expression morphing from one of interest to one of annoyance. he raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking to kyungho before returning to you, a hint of disappointment lingering in his gaze. kyungho, oblivious to the subtle tension, grinned at you and hari, and began to chat with the two of you, completely unaware of the awkward moment he had just interrupted.

as kyungho chatted with you and hari, suhyeok's gaze drifted away, his attention turning to the snacks and drinks in the center of the circle. he reached out and grabbed a handful of chips, munching on them quietly, his expression neutral. the circle erupted into laughter and conversation, with everyone chatting and joking around. you joined in, trying to shake off the feeling that suhyeok's gaze had left on you. but every so often, you couldn't help but sneak a glance at him, wondering what he was thinking.

suhyeok interrupted your conversation with kyungho by reaching over and tapping your knee, his touch sending a spark of electricity through your leg. he offered you a piece of sweet bread he was eating, his eyes shining with a gentle, tipsy warmth. "oh," you said, taking the bread from his hand, his fingers brushing against yours in the process. he gestured to the bread as if to say "for you," his expression soft and endearing. you couldn't help but be charmed by his doe-eyed gaze, and you nodded, taking a bite of the bread. the sweet flavor exploded in your mouth, and suhyeok smiled, satisfied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. kyungho watched the exchange, confusion etched on his face, but suhyeok didn't seem to notice, his attention focused solely on you. you hear daesu say a joke that makes everyone erupt in laughter.

mijin cut in, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "okay, girls, now that the guys have showered and cleaned up, who do you think is the most good-looking guy here?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. the girls groaned in unison, rolling their eyes and laughing. "none," they chimed in, their voices overlapping in a chorus of denial. you couldn't help but laugh at their unanimous response, and even the guys chuckled at the girls' blunt honesty.

as the laughter died down, suhyeok turned his attention back to you, a thoughtful expression on his face. he carefully lifted his cup, which was filled with a colorful mixture of drinks, and offered it to you. "try this," he said, his voice soft and inviting. "i made it." you looked at the drink, curious about what suhyeok had concocted. kyungho, who was still sitting next to you, raised an eyebrow.

as the night wore on, you couldn't help but notice that suhyeok's behavior towards you was becoming increasingly endearing. every time he got up to grab another drink or snack, he would offer it to you first, his eyes shining with a sweet, drunken sincerity. it was as if he had decided that you were the only person worthy of his offerings, and it was both amusing and touching to watch. the others had started to notice it too, and you could see the faintest glimmer of amusement in their eyes as they watched suhyeok's antics.

hroryeong leaned over and whispered to you, "wow, suhyeok's super drunk, huh?" you just smiled and shook your head, feeling a warmth spread through your chest at the thought of suhyeok's drunken affections.

just as the atmosphere was starting to feel more relaxed and jovial, cheongsan's expression suddenly crumpled, and he buried his face in his hands, his body shaking with sobs. the room fell silent, with everyone staring at cheongsan in shock and concern. "cheongsan, hey, what's wrong?" wujin asked, his voice soft and gentle, as he reached out to put a hand on cheongsan's shoulder. cheongsan's sobs grew louder, and he gasped out between tears, "i-i just can't take it anymore... everything that's happened... the zombies... our families... being stuck in this place..." his words trailed off into incoherent sobs, and the others exchanged worried glances, unsure of how to comfort their distraught friend.

daesu and kyungho quickly jumped up to help cheongsan, gently coaxing him to his feet and guiding him upstairs, their voices soft and soothing as they tried to calm him down. as you watched them go, you noticed onjo sitting quietly, her eyes fixed on some point across the room. but as she watched cheongsan being led away, her eyes began to well up with tears, and she blinked rapidly, fighting to hold them back. you could see the emotion trembling on the surface, but she took a deep breath and looked away, her jaw clenched in a determined effort to maintain her composure. you felt a pang of sympathy for her, knowing that she was probably feeling just as overwhelmed and emotional as cheongsan, but was trying to keep it together for the sake of the others.

mijin's voice cut through the somber mood, her words tinged with a mix of sadness and determination. "we should make a toast," she said, her eyes scanning the room. "to those we lost on the way here." the room fell silent, with everyone nodding in agreement. suhyeok, still a bit unsteady on his feet, began pouring drinks for everyone. as he handed out the drinks, the atmosphere in the room grew heavier, the weight of their collective grief palpable. when everyone had a drink in hand, mijin raised hers, her voice barely above a whisper. "to those we lost," she said, her eyes welling up with tears. "may they rest in peace." the others echoed her words, their voices cracking with emotion. with a collective nod, they downed their drinks in one swift motion, the liquid burning their throats as they swallowed their sadness. the room fell silent once more, the only sound the quiet sniffles and sobs of those who were struggling to hold back their tears.

just as the group was starting to settle into a sense of determination and hope, kyungho came back downstairs, a concerned look on his face. "onjo, cheongsan is calling for you," he said, his voice low and gentle. onjo's eyes flicked up to kyungho's, and for a moment, she hesitated. you could see the faintest glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes, but then she nodded, her expression smoothing out into a calm mask. "i'll go," she said, her voice soft and soothing. she got up from her seat and headed upstairs quickly, her footsteps light and quiet on the stairs. as she disappeared from view, the others exchanged worried glances. cheongsan's breakdown had been a shock to everyone, and it was clear that he was still struggling to cope. onjo's hesitation had been brief, but it had been noticeable, and you couldn't help but wonder what was going through her mind as she went to comfort her distraught friend.

wujin spoke up, his voice a bit awkward. "yeah, cheongsan's just... uh... had a bit too much to drink, that's all," he said, trying to downplay the situation. "he'll be fine." kyungho nodded in agreement, seeming to sense that daesu was trying to avoid talking about cheongsan's emotional breakdown. "yeah, probably just needs to sleep it off," he said, and then quickly changed the subject.

“are they a couple?” kyungho's question hung in the air, and for a moment, no one seemed to know how to respond. it was as if they were all waiting for someone else to break the silence. finally, wujin spoke up, his tone a bit annoyed. "he's had a crush on her since they were kids," he said, as if it was obvious and he couldn't believe kyungho was bringing it up. but before wujin could elaborate, hroryeong chimed in, her voice casual as she crunched on a piece of candy. "yeah, onjo likes him too... she just doesn't know it yet," she said, a sly smile spreading across her face. the room fell silent again, with everyone looking at each other uncertainly. it was clear that hroryeong's comment had added a new layer of complexity to the situation, and no one was quite sure how to process it. suhyeok looked like he was about to say something, but then thought better of it, while mijin just raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. mijin, on the other hand, just shook her head, a small smile on her face. "those two... " she muttered, trailing off into silence.

kyungho asked if anyone was in a relationship, the room fell silent, with everyone looking around at each other. one by one, they all shook their heads, saying no. you, however, took a swig of your water bottle, feeling a sudden surge of heat at the question. wujin let out a amused "pfft" and said, "there's no one in a relationship," but his smile quickly faltered, replaced by a look of serious confusion. "how are we all single...?" he trailed off, his voice laced with incredulity.

mijin elbowed him playfully and said, "just keep drinking and stop talking so ridiculously," which made hari chuckle. but kyungho's attention was focused elsewhere. he looked towards suhyeok, who was sitting with one knee up and his hand leaning on his head. his eyes, however, were fixed directly in front of him... at you. suhyeok's gaze was intense, and you could feel the weight of his stare. it was as if he was trying to convey a message, but you had no idea what it could be.

kyungho cleared his throat, his eyes locked on yours as he asked, "so that means you're single too?" the question hung in the air, and for a moment, you pretended you hadn't heard it, trying to play it cool. but kyungho's gaze was relentless, and you could feel your face growing warm. finally, you nodded, your voice barely above a whisper. "oh, um, yeah..." you said, your response shy and awkward. the room seemed to fall silent, with all eyes on you, and you couldn't help but feel like you were under a microscope. suhyeok's gaze, in particular, felt intense, and you wondered what he was thinking. kyungho, however, just smiled and nodded, seeming to accept your response at face value. but you couldn't shake the feeling that you'd just revealed something more significant than you'd intended.

as kyungho smiled and nodded, wujin and hari shared a look of disgust, their faces scrunched up in distaste. they'd been watching the exchange between kyungho and you, and it was clear they'd had enough of the flirting. wujin rolled his eyes and mouthed "really?" to hari, who just shook her head and whispered something back. the two of them looked like they were about to gag, and you couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

you took a swig of the soju bottle that was beside you, the liquor burning down your throat as you tried to calm your nerves. you followed it up with a piece of candy, the sweetness helping to chase away the bitter taste. as you ate, you tried to focus on mijin's story, who was babbling on about how she and hari had first met.

"and then, we were stuck in the girls' bathroom when the outbreak happened," mijin said, her voice rising with excitement. "it was kinda like we were freaking meant to me. fucking insane," you nodded along, trying to appear interested, but your eyes kept drifting back to suhyeok. earlier, he had been staring at you with an intense gaze, but now he was no longer looking at you. instead, he was staring off into space, his facial expression twisted into a scowl. he looked irritated, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed.

you wondered what had caused the change in his mood.

as mijin continued to talk, you found yourself glancing over at suhyeok more and more. his expression hadn't changed, and you could sense a palpable tension emanating from him. you wondered if anyone else had noticed it, but kyungho and hari seemed oblivious, laughing and joking together like nothing was wrong.

wujin, on the other hand, seemed to sense that something was off. he kept looking over at suhyeok, his expression concerned. even mijin seemed to notice, trailing off mid-sentence as she glanced over at suhyeok.

"whats up with you?" mijin asked, her voice soft with concern.

suhyeok's gaze snapped back into focus, and he looked around the room, his eyes meeting yours for a brief moment before moving on. "yeah, everything's fine," he said, his voice curt. but it was clear that everything wasn't fine. the tension in the room had ratcheted up a notch, and you could sense that something was brewing. what, you had no idea.

you sat there, confused and a little concerned, wondering what suhyeok's problem was. but no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't shake the feeling that it had something to do with you. the soju you'd been drinking seemed to be taking over your emotions, making you feel a little anxious and unsure. "i'm gonna go finish my drink upstairs," you said, getting up from the floor. mijin looked up at you, a sad expression on her face. "what? why?," she whined, but you shook your head.

"i just want to rest for a bit," you said, trying to sound calm. "i'll be back down maybe." mijin nodded, but you could tell she was a little skeptical. suhyeok, on the other hand, didn't even look up. he just kept staring off into space, his expression unreadable. you took your drink and headed upstairs, feeling a little relieved to be escaping the tension in the room. as you walked, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were running away from something and you had no idea what it was.

as you walked, you couldn't help but feel a slight wobble in your step. the soju was definitely having an effect, but you knew you weren't as tipsy as you had been the night before. you were determined to keep your wits about you, at least for a little while longer.

as you started up the staircase, you took a deep breath, trying to clear your head. the stairs seemed to stretch on forever, and you felt a wave of dizziness wash over you. just as you were about to lose your balance, you felt a hand on your waist from behind.

the touch was warm and firm, and it sent a jolt of surprise through your body. you turned to see who it was, hoping for a familiar tanned face, but your eyes met kyungho’s. he was standing right behind you, his eyes fixed intently on yours. "careful," he said, his voice low and smooth. "don't want you to fall." his hand was still on your waist, and you could feel the heat of his touch radiating through your body. you felt a flutter in your chest, and suddenly, you were very aware of how close he was standing.

kyungho’s hand remained on your waist as he helped you up the stairs, his grip firm but gentle. you felt a sense of relief wash over you as he steadied you but a pang of disappointment, his presence somehow calming the effects of the soju.

as you reached the top of the stairs, kyungho released his grip on your waist, but his eyes never left yours. "are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep. you nodded, feeling a little more steady on your feet. "yeah, i'm fine. thanks for helping me." kyungho nodded, his expression serious. "i'm going to make sure you get to your room safely," he said, his eyes never leaving yours. as you walked to your room, kyungho followed closely behind you. when you reached the door, he spoke up again. "can i...rest with you inside?" he asked, his voice low but charming.

you felt a flip in your chest at the request, unsure of what to make of it. but there was something in kyungho’s fox-like eyes that made you nod, despite your reservations. "okay," you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

you slid open the wooden door to the boys' room, expecting to see cheongsan, daesu, and onjo lounging around. but to your surprise, the room was empty. you turned to kyungho, about to ask where the others were, but before you could say anything, he slid the door shut behind himself and leaned against it.

"they're in the girls' room," he said, his voice low and matter-of-fact.

you raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "what are they doing in there?" you asked, curiosity getting the better of you. kyungho just shrugged, his expression unreadable. "no idea. but we can go find out if you want." he pushed off from the door and gestured for you to follow him.

you declined kyungho’s offer to investigate the girls' room, instead taking a seat on the floor. you placed your drink beside you, feeling the softness of the floor beneath you. kyungho sat down in front of you, but close, his legs crossed in front of him. he placed his drink down next to him, but not before taking a swig of the beer.

as he sat there, you couldn't help but notice how close he was to you. his knees were almost touching yours. you looked up at him, and for a moment, your eyes locked. kyungho’s gaze was intense, but you couldn't quite read his expression. the silence between you was palpable, and you found yourself wondering what he was thinking.

kyungho’s expression changed, a smirk spreading across his face. "you're pretty," he said, his voice low and smooth. his words caught you off guard, and you felt a flutter in your chest. you realized, suddenly, that you two were alone in the room. the others were all downstairs, or in the girls' room, and you were here, alone with kyungho. you looked away, a smile spreading across your face. you rolled your eyes, trying to calm your heart. "you came up here to tell me that?" you asked him. kyungho chuckled, the sound low and husky. "maybe," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "maybe i just wanted to get you alone." his words sent a shiver down your spine, and you felt your heart skip a beat. you looked back at him, trying to read his expression. was he flirting with you, or was he just trying to make you uncomfortable?

you felt a bit odd about kyungho’s sudden interest in getting close to you. you rubbed the back of your neck, trying to ease the tension that was building up. but before you could even process what was happening, kyungho scooted closer, his eyes fixed intently on yours. "what do you think about me?" he asked, his voice calm and collected, like he'd done this many times before.

you felt a surge of surprise at the question, and you didn't know how to respond. you looked away, trying to gather your thoughts, but kyungho’s eyes followed you, never leaving yours.

you could feel the weight of his stare, and it made you feel uneasy. you didn't know what kyungho was trying to get at, or what he wanted from you. but one thing was for sure - you couldn't shake off the feeling that he was trying to get under your skin.

you looked back at kyungho, a hint of a smile on your face. "you're fishing for compliments, aren't you?" you said, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in your stomach. kyungho’s expression didn't change, but you could sense a flicker of amusement in his eyes. he didn't deny it, instead just kept looking at you with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat.

as you sat there, you couldn't help but think about how surreal this moment felt. besides suhyeok, this was the only other time you'd had a boy show interest in you. and it was nerve-wracking, yet thrilling at the same time. you felt like you were walking on unfamiliar ground, unsure of what to expect or how to react. but at the same time, you couldn't deny the excitement that was building up inside you. it was like a spark had been lit, and you couldn't wait to see where this would lead.

kyungho's smirk grew as he leaned back on his hands, his eyes gleaming with amusement in the soft, golden light of the lanterns. "i know you find me attractive," he said, his voice low and smooth, sending a flutter through your chest. "i think it's cute." the intimate atmosphere of the lantern-lit room made his comment feel even more personal, like a whispered secret. you responded by taking a slow sip of your drink, trying to play it cool despite the butterflies in your stomach. kyungho's deep chuckle sent a shiver down your spine, and you couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

then, his question caught you off guard: "have you ever kissed a guy before?" the words hung in the air, making you freeze, your heart skipping a beat as you struggled to come up with a response.

"yes," you admit cautiously, unsure how much to reveal about your complicated history with suhyyeok. kyungho's expression remains neutral, inviting you to share more. instead, he opens up about his own past, his voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness. "i had just one boyfriend in high school," he begins, "but things got tough when he moved away. we tried to make it work, but ultimately, we had to go our separate ways."

you lean in, curiosity sparkling in your eyes. "how long were you two together?" you ask, your voice low and empathetic. he pauses, a hint of wistfulness flickering across his face. "almost a year," he says finally, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and resignation.

he takes a deep breath, his eyes clouding over as he delves into his thoughts. "don't you just hate it when you know, deep down, that you're meant to be with someone, but life just keeps throwing obstacles in your way?" his tone is laced with frustration, a sense of helplessness that resonates deeply.

little did kyungho know, you were the precise person to shed light on his query. it was as if the universe was conspiring against you and suhyeok, with every aspect of his life unraveling. despite not being in a relationship yet, the obstacles in your path made it seem like fate itself was opposing on your union.

you nod in understanding, your hand instinctively rising to rub your temples as memories of suhyeok flood my mind. "i'm all too familiar with that feeling," you admit, smoothing out your hair as you collect your thoughts.

he sits up straighter, his eyes locked onto yours with renewed interest, and scoots closer until your legs touch. "really?" he asks, his voice low and curious. "did you have a boyfriend?" you hesitate, unsure of how to articulate your own complicated emotions. "no, it wasn't like that," you began, searching for the right words. "he's just someone i had strong feelings for... or at least, i thought i did." your voice trails off, lost in the uncertainty of it all.

kyungho's hand gently comes to rest on your knee, his fingers rubbing softly in a comforting gesture. a warm smile spreads across his face as he says, "i'm really glad i met you. it feels like we can connect on a deeper level, you know?" he picks up his drink, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "toast to old love and hello to new love!" he exclaims, his voice rising in a playful toast. the absurdity of the moment makes you laugh, and you raise your drink to join in. but for some reason, you can't seem to take a sip…

kyungho drains his glass, his eyes locking onto yours as he sets it down. a sly smirk spreads across his face, his gaze drifting to your lips, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake. the air is charged with tension, the weight of his stare making your skin prickle with heat. you meet his gaze, trying to deflect the intensity of the moment, but it only seems to amplify the flutter in your chest. "you really are something, y/n," he murmurs, his voice low and husky, his eyes burning with an inner fire as he holds your gaze. the words send a shiver down your spine, the alcohol in your system igniting a slow burn that threatens to consume you.

your voice barely audible, you whisper, "you think so?" craving reassurance, seeking validation. your eyes locked on kyungho's, anticipating his response.

without realizing it, you feel kyungho's breath on your skin as he leans in, his lips grazing your ear. a shiver runs down your spine. "yes, you're just so good," he murmurs, his words vibrating through your entire body. his cheek brushes against yours, gently nudging your head to the side. the sensation sends a thrill through your lower abdomen, leaving you breathless.

as kyungho's lips graze across your cheek, the anticipation of a kiss hangs in the air. your eyes drift shut, ready to surrender to the moment. but in a flash, your mind, hazed by the effects of alcohol, betrays you. visions of suhyeok in the storage closet, where your lips first met in a spark of passion, flood your senses. reality slams back into focus as your eyes snap open. with a jolt, you push kyungho away, the urgency in your voice echoing through the space. "wait! wait! wait!" you exclaim, scrambling backward, the sudden movement a stark contrast to the intimacy that was almost shared.

kyungho's eyes narrow slightly, his gaze scrutinizing as he takes a step back, concern etched on his face. "you okay?" he asks, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty, as if trying to decipher the sudden shift in your demeanor. the soft glow of the lanterns dances across your face, casting eerie shadows that seem to mirror the turmoil within.

you take a deep, labored breath, your chest heaving as you struggle to compose yourself. "yeah, i...i just need a sec," you stammer, your words barely above a whisper. you scramble to your feet, seeking refuge against the nearest wall, putting as much distance between yourself and kyungho as possible.

kyungho's expression morphs into one of confusion, his voice laced with a hint of perplexity. "uh, yeah okay, we can take a break," he says, his words trailing off as he searches for a clue, trying to understand the abrupt halt in the evening's proceedings.

you grasp at your hair, as if clinging to it will steady your reeling senses and shake off the intoxication. but the alcohol's grip is too strong, and you release your hair, letting out a defeated sigh. "i'm so sorry, i just..." you trail off, your words lost in the turmoil of your emotions. you wrap your arms around yourself, seeking comfort, but the gesture feels hollow.

kyungho rises to his feet, his eyes piercing as he interrupts your fragmented apology. "it's the guy, isn't it?" he asks, his voice low and intuitive. you look up, meeting his gaze, and he presses on, seeking confirmation. "the guy you have feelings for?" the question hangs in the air, and you sigh, the sound a mixture of regret and resignation. "i'm really sorry," you whisper, the words barely audible. kyungho's expression darkens, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. "what, is he here or something?" he demands, but your silence is answer enough. the air is heavy with unspoken truth.

kyungho's next words are a whispered revelation, a single name that makes you crumple inward, embarrassment and shame washing over you. "suhyeok." the sound of his name is like a key turning in a lock, and you bend forward, wrapping your arms around yourself as if trying to physically contain the turmoil within.

kyungho's words cut through the air, a mixture of concern and frustration. "y/n, you can't let him dictate how you live your life," he cautions, his tone firm but gentle. "if you don't move on from him, things are only going to get worse." his lecture, though well-intentioned, sparks a flicker of irritation within you. you groan, the sound a mixture of exasperation and annoyance, and lift your gaze to meet kyungho's. your eyes, still cloudy from the effects of the alcohol, narrow slightly as you regard him. "yeah, i'm aware," you retort, your voice laced with a hint of defiance, as if daring him to continue his lecture.

kyungho's hands settle on his hips, his eyes cast upward in a resigned sigh. "i'm just saying, y/n," he begins, his tone measured, yet laced with a hint of frustration. "i'm not trying to push you or anything. it's just... seeing a great guy like you, having feelings for someone who doesn't seem to care about your feelings... it's just..." he trails off, the words left unspoken hanging in the air like a challenge.

the silence is broken by his final, blunt assessment. "honestly, pathetic. you're better than that." the words cut deep, but you're beyond hearing them. a numbness washes over you, and you mumble a hasty retreat. "i'm gonna shower." you stumble out of the room, seeking refuge in the bathroom. the door closes behind you with a soft click, and you lean against it, the sound of the lock engaging a welcome barrier between you and the outside world.

you sink onto the closed toilet, drawing your knees up to your chest in a defensive, self-soothing gesture. the burn of unshed tears in your eyes threatens to overwhelm you, as kyungho's words - "honestly, pathetic" - echo through your mind like a cruel mantra.

the alcohol, still coursing through your veins, seems to be stirring up a maelstrom of memories, playing out like a painful movie in your head. scenes from your past, long buried, rise to the surface: the isolation, the bullying, the constant belittling. the words, once hurled at you like daggers - "worthless", "pathetic" - still linger, a toxic legacy that refuses to be extinguished. despite the progress you've made, the happiness you've cultivated, the feeling of being trapped in that dark, helpless place persists. it's as if the wounds of your past, though healed on the surface, still simmer just below, waiting to be reawakened by a careless word, a thoughtless comment. and kyungho's words, though not intended to be cruel, have become the catalyst for this painful journey into your past.

a deep longing washes over you, a yearning that settles in the pit of your stomach and aches within your chest. you're suddenly, overwhelmingly homesick, desperate to be back in the comfort and security of your own home, surrounded by the familiarity and love of your dad. the desire to be there, to feel the warmth and reassurance of your dad's presence, becomes almost noticeable, a physical ache that threatens to overwhelm you.

the knock on the door breaks the silence, but you remain still, unwilling to respond. another knock follows, a gentle rap that seems to hesitate, waiting for an answer that doesn't come. with a sense of resolve, you rise from the toilet and swiftly turn on the shower, the sudden rush of water a deliberate attempt to signal that you're not to be disturbed.

your tactic works, and the knocks cease. the silence that follows is a welcome reprieve, allowing you to collect your thoughts and confront the emotions that threaten to overwhelm you. you stand before the mirror, gazing at your reflection with a mix of sadness and determination.

with a quivering voice, you begin to affirm yourself, the words a desperate attempt to counter the doubts and fears that have long plagued you. "you're strong," you whisper, the sound cracking with emotion. "you're loved, you're amazing, and you are good." the words spill out, a heartfelt mantra that you cling to, even as tears prick at the corners of your eyes. you hold them back, refusing to let them fall, as you strive to find the strength to move forward.

with renewed conviction, you declare, "you will make it far in life," the words ringing out with a sense of determination and purpose. as if to punctuate this affirmation, you begin to shed your clothes, the physical act of removal a symbolic shedding of the emotional burdens that have weighed you down.

you step into the warm shower, the water cascading down upon your head like a soothing balm. the steam rises, enveloping the room in a misty veil, as you stand there, allowing the warmth to seep into your very being. the sensation is almost palpable, a comforting embrace that seems to envelop your entire self, calming your frayed nerves and soothing your troubled mind.

as you emerge from the shower, you're greeted by a disorienting haze that refuses to lift. your vision blurs, and your balance falters, making every step a precarious endeavor. you realize, belatedly, that you must have underestimated the amount of alcohol you consumed. despite this, you manage to change back into your clothes, though the task feels like a herculean effort.

you make your way out of the bathroom, the cool air of the room a welcome respite from the steamy warmth of the shower. you pause, listening intently, and are rewarded with the distant sound of laughter drifting up from downstairs. the silence from upstairs is telling, and you infer that onjo and daesu have either retired for the night or joined the others downstairs.

you enter the boys' room, and your gaze falls upon cheongsan's peaceful form, his chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm as he sleeps. the soft snoring is a soothing soundtrack, and you smile wryly, assuming that daesu must have carried him to bed. with a quiet sigh, you blow out the lanterns, plunging the room into darkness. you climb into bed, feeling the weight of the day bearing down upon you, and will the night to hurry up and be over.

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justice4gyeongsu · 6 months ago

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━━━ 'CHAPTER FOUR' [WHEN DAWN BREAKS]

SYNOPSIS ➢ a fast-spreading outbreak soaks the school in blood. quite literally & figuratively.

PAIRING ➢ lee suhyeok x male!reader

AU ➢ enemies-to-lovers au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; classism, homophobia, bullying, embarrassment, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

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[DAY OF THE OUTBREAK…]

sitting at your front door, tying your shoes, you can't shake the feeling that something's off. last night's sleep was weirdly quiet - no dreams, no whispers in your ear, no memories bubbling up to the surface. just a big, empty space where your subconscious usually runs wild. it's unnerving, to be honest. you're used to your mind being a bit of a battlefield, even when you're sleeping. but last night, it was like someone hit the mute button. and now you're left wondering if this is what it's like when... well, when it's all over. is it just silence? nothingness?

the thought sends a shiver down your spine. you're not sure what's more unsettling - the idea of an afterlife that's just a blank slate, or the possibility that last night was just a weird fluke. either way, you can't shake the feeling that something's shifted, and you're not sure what's coming next.

your father's footsteps broke the spell, and you refocused on tying your shoes as the TV droned on in the background. the familiar sounds of his morning routine were comforting - washing dishes, drinking tea, and making job calls. occasionally, he'd cook breakfast, a rare treat when finances allowed. you'd learned to supplement your meals with snacks from school, stashing them away for weekends.

as the news anchor spoke, a name caught your attention - "missing student from hyosan high" - and you turned to see the scientist teacher's son on screen. but before you could process the news, your father's gruff voice cut in, "what'd you do to your hair?" his question was a stark reminder of your own daily struggles. you hesitated, a sheepish shrug your only response. the salt spray you'd applied to enhance your natural texture had slipped your mind, but the 35 anxious glances in the mirror hadn't. you'd sought validation in your reflection, ensuring the subtle waves framed your face just so. "just wanted to, uh, try something different," you mumbled, the words trailing off like a hesitant confession.

your father's gaze lingered for a moment, as if searching for a hidden meaning, before he turned away, disappearing into his room. the unspoken dismissal was clear: time to head out. with a quiet sigh, you grabbed your bag and slipped out the door, leaving the uncertainty of your father's reaction behind, like a lingering whisper in the morning air.

as you locked the door, a spark of excitement ignited. you headed down the steps with enthusiasm, careful not to trip. today was a first: ditching the bus for your bike. it was a small change, but one that filled you with unexpected joy. the prospect of feeling the wind and sun on your face was exhilarating. you smiled at how something so simple had awakened a sense of adventure. your feet hit the concrete with a loud thud, and as you looked up, three imposing figures loomed before you. their black coats billowed behind them like dark wings, and their smiles seemed to hold a sinister intent. you knew exactly who they were - and your heart sank. one of them concealed a bat behind his back, and your excitement was replaced with icy fear. paralyzed, you couldn't even think of calling the police. your father's words still lingered in your mind: "if you want me to live, let them beat me." the memory of his scolding made your stomach twist with anxiety. the men simply walked past you and began to head to the door you once came from only seconds ago. with shaking hands, you hastily untied your bike and stuffed the chain into your backpack, desperate to escape the ominous scene unfolding before you.

as you entered the classroom, your gaze instinctively sought out choi namra, your deskmate and sole point of reference. the murmur of conversations momentarily subsided as you took your seat, but you stood firm, refusing to be swayed by the subtle scrutiny of your peers. today, you had made a deliberate choice to style your hair, sweeping it aside to reveal your face in a departure from your usual disheveled appearance. the tangled locks that often obscured your features were now neatly parted, with wavy bangs framing your tired eyes. just as you settled into your chair, a gentle voice pierced the air, speaking from behind namra, who was engrossed in her textbooks. onjo's warm, kind eyes met yours, accompanied by a soft smile and a subtle thumbs-up. "y/n-ah, you look great today," she said, her words catching you off guard with their sincerity. a spark of surprise ignited within you, leaving you momentarily breathless. did she just say.. great?

your eyes only blankly blinked at her words until you cleared your throat, “w-what?” you asked. unfortunately, the sound of a high-pitched voice had cut off onjo’s next words. “yah!” the entire classroom was now facing a pink-cardigan-wearing nayeon who angrily stepped towards her desk. to which, he was surrounded by wujin and his friends. “get off of there. you stink,” she commanded to gyeongsu, who was sitting on top of her desk. your eyebrows raised at the interaction, gyeongsu hopped off the abnormally upset girl's desk. “oh, okay. my bad,” he spoke with a slight confusion in her tone. he proceeds to wipe off any excess ‘stink’ that he might have left, nayeon raises her voice once again at this. “cut it out! you're so dirty,” she shouts in disgust while moving her backpack away from him. to say that nayeon was privileged was an understatement, but you knew that already. “what the hell is your problem?” gyeongsu murmurs before taking a step forward in rising annoyance.

luckily, his friend cheongsan wraps his arms around his shoulder and tells him to just let it go. knowing that arguing with a disdainful girl like nayeon was practically a suicide mission. before the situation could escalate for the worse, the teacher stepped foot into the classroom. signaling everyone to stop chatting and head to their respective seats.

as the chairs scraped against the floor, your gaze wandered to the window. a tiny mosquito buzzed against the pane, trying to get in. this reminded you of what those threatening men called your father - a mosquito. they said he was a nuisance who took risks and left problems behind. you wondered why your father never talked about his life, before or now. he kept his secrets to himself, never sharing anything you wanted to know. his silence was frustrating, and you wished he would open up.

“alright everyone, c'mon bring up the phones.” your teacher announced. everyone piled to the front to bring their phones, it wasn't something you cared for. the only person you would text nowadays should be your father. if he didn't get a new one every other week that is.

with what money? you never did ask.

when everyone finishes turning their phones in the teacher, being as intelligent as she is, texts the classroom group chat and you suddenly hear a notification sound coming from right in front of you. your long-ago friend, wujin, and to the right of him, was daesu. who quickly looked behind him and looked at namra and you. pretending it was you two who had their phone still, however the entire class knew it was him. including your teacher. “daesu, seriously?” a voice asked in disbelief as the rest of the class laughed at his failed scheme so early in the morning.

the teacher began to go on about english studies and you tried your best to focus this time. to put in effort and change your lifestyle around. you're gonna be the best version of yourself, you're tired of trying to blend in and be accepted, and you will exceed in everything you do your studies, the way you carry yourself, everything. today was the day when you no longer lived in fear and humiliation. the new you was something you are ready for and you're starting to no longer care if others aren't. “y/n-ah!” your head snapped up to the teacher who smiled at you and pointed at your hair, “you look so handsome, wow.” to say your cheeks heat up in embarrassment was an understatement, the class had quiet giggles and all eyes were on you once again. you nodded your head and awkwardly cleared your throat. “let's see… how about you give me your take on individuality, in this case?” she points to the chalkboard where she wrote her previous inquisitions.

with a surge of determination, you straightened your posture, shedding the timid persona that had held you back for so long. just 24 hours ago, you were a different person, but now, you were ready to evolve. taking a deep breath, you began to speak, your voice steady and clear. "um, in this character's case, …she lacks the idea of being her own person. she feeds off of what her friends decide at every moment.." you carefully avoided eye contact with your classmates, focusing intently on your words. "meaning that she kinda sets herself up for disappointment when her results don't match her peers." as you finished speaking, you felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. your teacher's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and a moment of silence hung in the air before she responded, "perfect answer." the words hung in the air like a badge of honor, a testament to your growth and newfound confidence.

suddenly, her eyes darted to the other side of the classroom and her gleeful demeanor changed instantly to a sternful one. “you, bare-su, stand up.” everyone's eyes shot to the back of the class, except yours. “what's with ‘bare-su’?” she asks as he stands up and everyone laughs once again but a little louder now. as you stare out the window, the uncomfortable conversation fades into the background. you'd rather not dwell on the past or revisit old emotions.

the warm sunbeams streaming through the glass wrap around you, and your mind begins to wander. a familiar figure pedals into your daydream - the boy from the bike shop, with eyes like a fox and dark hair that makes your heart skip a beat. the memory of him is a balm to your soul, a sight that soothes your eyes and stirs your pulse. the thought of seeing him again sends a thrill through you, and you can't help but wonder when your paths will cross once more.

kyungho, kyungho, kyungho…

the name stuck to you while you gaze at nothing in the classroom. “oh yeah? what did y/n just say then?” the teacher's question cut through the air, snapping you back to reality as it echoed off the wooden classroom walls. suhyeok's eyes widened in surprise, his gaze fixed on you as if seeing you in a new light. your hair, styled differently, and your eyes, no longer hidden, seemed to have caught him off guard. as his gaze met yours, you quickly looked away, pretending not to care, trying to conceal the flutter in your chest. you didn't want him to think you still had feelings for him, that his presence still affected you.

“he uh… he said..”

just as suhyeok was about to speak, hyeonju burst into the classroom, her shocking appearance captivating everyone's attention. her face was pale, with blood trickling down her cheeks and lips. gasps filled the room as the teacher called out her name, but hyeonju collapsed to the ground, unresponsive. classmates rushed to her side, forming a circle around her as ms. park rushed to her aid. you remained seated, stunned, as ms. park cradled hyeonju's limp body, her face a picture of brutal injury. it looked like she had been hit by a car, with deep gashes and bruises covering her skin. the room was filled with worried murmurs and shocked expressions, as everyone struggled to process the scene unfolding before them.

you stood slowly from your seat when you heard someone ask their friend beside them “did she just say the science teacher drugged her?” your heart dropped. you had had some odd conversations with the science teacher before. him asking you to stay a bit after class and telling you if you felt like you needed to defend yourself from others, to always fight back, and then they’ll leave you alone.

little did he know that you have already done that and it still didn't exactly solve your crisis. you would just nod and awkwardly look away before saying you had to be home soon or else your father was going to come looking for you, even if you both knew, he probably wouldn't. on certain days, the man's demeanor shifted to one of frantic urgency, as he emphasized the harsh principles of survival of the fittest. his intensity was unsettling, leaving you concerned about his well-being. before you could ask if he was okay, he would dismiss you, leaving your questions unspoken. reflecting on these encounters, you revisited the memories, searching for any subtle signs that might have hinted at his inner turmoil.

“we gotta get her up, can you get up, hyeonju-ah?” the teacher tried speaking calmly, but every student in the room knew she was frightened just as much as you all were. “i'll carry her,” suhyeok offered, and began carrying the drifting girl on his back with isak and onjo following out shortly behind. ms. park closed the sliding door, leaving all the students to gather in small groups and discuss what they had just witnessed.

the lunch bell's gentle chime echoed through the school's corridors, signaling the start of the midday break. students sprang into action, eager to escape their classrooms. but you lingered, lost in thought, as you made your way out. questions swirled in your mind: what was wrong with hyeonju? why were people blaming the science teacher? would she recover? and then, a nagging doubt: was suhyeok really looking at me-

you looked up to see cheolsu, a quiet boy often overlooked by his peers, crumpled on the floor. he winced in pain, his eyes wide with surprise, as if your accidental stare had been a physical blow. "oh, cheolsu, are you okay?" you asked, offering a helping hand and lifting him up with ease. the height difference between you two was striking, with cheolsu's slouched posture making him appear even smaller. "ugh, s-sorry...i was in a rush," he stuttered, his eyes cast downward, a habitual gesture that spoke volumes about his struggles.

you shook your head and apologized, "no, sorry, my fault, I wasn't paying attention." as you took a deep breath, your gaze lingered on the scabs around his neck, a subtle hint of a hidden struggle. sensing your notice, he seemed to shield his secret, and you instinctively covered the area with a gentle touch, pretending to rub his neck. seeking to shift the focus, you asked, "heading to the cafeteria?" but he sidestepped your question, his eyes locking onto your hair as he asked, "what's up with your hair?" the familiar criticism stung, a reminder of the constant scrutiny you'd been facing.

“j-just uh,” you hesitate, “doing something different,” you responded while clearing your throat, trying oh so desperately to avoid the awkward ambiance. cheolsu stared at your new look for a few more seconds until he looked at something behind you, his eyes widened before moving to the wall quickly. bewildered by his action, turning to see someone you despised. myunghwan, walking with changhoon smirked as they looked in both of your directions.

your heart sank as you turned to face myunghwan, his smug expression making your blood boil. changhoon, walked alongside him, a sneer twisting his features. you felt cheolsu's tension beside you, his eyes fixed on the duo with a mixture of wariness and hostility.

"look at this," myungwhan stated. they snickered to one another. you rolled your eyes and looked away trying to keep yourself neutral despite the growing unease in your chest. myunghwan chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. his gaze roved over your new appearance, his expression dripping with disdain. "i see, you're trying to.. reinvent yourself," you rolled your eyes, fists clenched. “fuck off.”

but myunghwan just laughed, his eyes glinting with malice. "what, y/n? you gonna defend your new boyfriend? how cute.." you felt a surge of anger at his jab, but cheolsu's warning glance kept you from responding. changhoon, however, seemed eager to stir up more trouble. "yeah, what's going on between you two? you're not...together, are you?"

the air seemed to thicken with tension as myunghwan's smirk grew wider. you knew you had to defuse the situation before it escalated further. but how? you felt a familiar knot in your stomach as myunghwan's smirk seemed to grow roots, digging deeper into your skin. "what's going on here?" a soft voice interrupted, slicing through the thick air.

you turned to see a quiet figure emerging from the crowd, their eyes fixed on changhoon with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

myunghwan's smirk faltered, and for a moment, you saw a glimmer of uncertainty. "just having a little chat," he said, his tone dripping with false nonchalance. the nurse's gaze lingered on myunghwan before shifting to you and cheolsu. "looks like a pretty one-sided conversation to me." the air seemed to vibrate with unspoken words, and you sensed a hidden dynamic at play. myunghwan's eyes narrowed, but the nurse's calm demeanor didn't waver. you looked down to see a rather odd looking infection on the nurses arm. her arm turning an almost black color, her neck twitching. cheolsu and you shared a look of concern, “um..m-miss…” cheolsu couldn't bring himself to ask so he simply pointed at her revealing forearm.

but before he could say another word, the nurse's eyes rolled back in her head, revealing only whites. her body began to twitch and convulse, her limbs flailing wildly like a puppet on a broken string. her skin turned a sickly shade of green, as moldy bread and dark veins bulge beneath the surface like twisted rivers. a low, guttural moan escaped her lips, growing louder and more menacing with each passing moment. she lunged at changhoon, her fingers grasping for his face like claws, her teeth snapping wildly with almost animalistic hunger. changhoon screamed, his voice high-pitched and terrified, as the nurse's zombie form tackled him to the ground. her hands closed around his head, her fingers digging into his hair like talons. cheolsu stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet as he desperately tried to escape the horror unfolding before him. his eyes were wide with fear, his face pale and sweaty. “what the…?”

suddenly the nurse took a huge chunk of the screaming boys cheek with her teeth. his screams reached new heights as he frantically tried to shake off the nurse's grip, but she held firm. his eyes widened in terror as he realized the nurse's eyes had turned a strange, almost feral gray. just as suddenly as it had begun, the nurse released her grip on the boy's cheek, and he stumbled backward, clutching at the wound. myungwhan saw the opportunity to shove her however, she had other plans. she rushed at him next but myungwhan turned around and shoved you while swiftly running away down the hallway. where many students were gathered around eyeing the intense and gorey happening just seconds ago. they all screamed and began to scatter, seeing that now changhoon was thrashing on the ground uncontrollably.

you hold your shoulder with your right hand, myungwhan had shoved you with full force causing your shoulder to ache and sting. you wince as you quickly gather yourself. you grabbed cheolsu’s arm, pulling him away from the chaos with a strength that was almost desperate. "we need to get out of here, now!" you yelled, dragging him down the hallway as the sound of the nurse's moans echoed behind you, growing fainter but no less terrifying.

cheolsu stumbled after you, your heart racing with fear. the hallway seemed to stretch on forever, the lockers and classrooms blurring together in a mad whirl of color and sound. you could hear the distant moans of people, growing fainter but still echoing through the corridors like a chilling reminder of the horror you'd just witnessed.

"wait, slow down!" he yelled, his voice hoarse from fear.

you didn't listen. your eyes were fixed on the outside quad, you could hear the distant moans and screams, growing louder with every step. you wrenched open the doors and shoved cheolsu first outside before you. "close it! close it!" you shouted, following close behind. as you shut the doors, you see students screaming inside and running into classrooms. panting, you gripped your shoulder once again in pain, while you both noticed people running away outside as well. “shit,” you cursed. “run! everyone run!” you turned to hear a girl screaming while running across the schools soccer field only to get tackled by two other bloodied peers. cheolsu shared a look with you before you both ran toward the outside set of stairs of the school as the infected horde burst through the doors you were once holding behind you.

climbing up the stairs, step by step, you felt weightless until a sudden jolt sent you flying. your body rolled and bounced, landing with a sickening crack on your shoulder. the pain was excruciating, and your scream echoed through the staircase as you finally came to rest at the bottom. gritting your teeth, you opened your eyes to see the cause of your fall: a girl with black braided pigtails, her leg twisted at an unnatural angle, bone protruding from her skin. her eyes, bloodshot and wild, locked onto yours as she gurgled and began to crawl towards you with an unnatural speed. you rolled onto your side, desperate to escape, but she climbed on top of you, her grip on your sweater tightening as she pulled herself up to your face. with a surge of adrenaline, you grabbed a nearby rock with your one good hand and swung it behind you, connecting with a sickening crunch.

in a stroke of luck, the rock sent the girl flying onto the grass, momentarily freeing you. as you gazed up, cheolsu remained paralyzed on the same step, his eyes wide with shock. “cheolsu, help-” you yelled, but the girl latched onto your ankle, attempting to sink her teeth in. you grunted, shaking her off with a series of swift kicks. cheolsu's horror-stricken expression lingered as the girl scaled you once more, her relentless grip unyielding. trying to wriggle free from the girls grasps, you look around quickly to find anything to get away.

just as all hope seemed lost, a fleeing girl accidentally collides with your attacker, diverting her attention. seizing the opportunity, you broke free from the infected girl's grasp. you looked up to see cheolsu's fleeting glance before he turned tail and sprinted up the stairs, abandoning you. “wait, w-where are you going?” you shouted, alarm rising in your voice.

as cheolsu vanished from sight, you sprang to your feet, still reeling from the harrowing encounter. but your relief was short-lived, as another classmate - bloodied and bizarre - began to stir across the school yard. his eyes locked onto yours with a menacing glare, and he charged towards you with a ferocious intensity, plowing through others in his path. his bloody mouth twisted into a snarl as he sprinted closer, and you gasped in terror, bracing yourself for the impending impact. but just as he launched himself into the air, something unexpected happened - a shocking savior appeared out of nowhere, sparing you from the brink of disaster. your eyes widened in astonishment as you turned to behold the last person you ever expected to save your skin.

“we gotta move! come on,” suhyeok grabbed your good arm and pulled you alongside him. you grunted while running feeling a sharp pain every time you moved your body to keep up. you noticed he wasn't alone, choi namra was beside him as well. you never seen her face in any other emotion besides serious. right now, it was horrified.

"what's.. what the fuck is going on?" you panted, wincing in pain as suhyeok's grip tightened around your arm. "what's happening to everyone?"

suhyeok didn't answer, his eyes fixed on some point ahead as he dragged you through the chaotic school yard. choi namra kept pace beside him, her horrified expression never wavering. her eyes darted towards you, and for a fleeting moment, you saw a flicker of concern before her mask of seriousness slipped back into place.

"let me fucking go!" you demanded, trying to keep up with suhyeok's frantic pace. you ripped your arm away from him as you kept running.

"hurry up,," he gritted out, his jaw clenched in determination. "we need to get out of here, now." as you ran, the sounds of mayhem grew louder - screams, crashes, and an eerie, unsettling laughter that sent shivers down your spine. you risked a glance over your shoulder, and what you saw made your blood run cold. the school yard was descending into chaos. students were attacking each other, their eyes vacant, their movements jerky and unnatural. some teachers tried to intervene, but they were vastly outnumbered. the once-familiar surroundings were now a war zone, with desks overturned, windows shattered, and debris scattered everywhere.

suhyeok yanked you back into a sprint, his grip on your arm like a vice. "don't look back!" he yelled. "keep moving!" choi namra kept pace beside him, her eyes scanning their surroundings with a mix of fear and determination. "we need to find a safe place to hide," she shouted above the din. suhyeok nodded, his eyes fixed on a point ahead. "there!"

he led you towards the ladder that was leading up to a window in the school building. you all rushed towards it, once close enough you pushed namra to go first, “go, try to open-”

“no, its not safe. i'll go,” suhyeok states before moving her aside and beginning to climb the ladder, you attempted to hold back an eye-roll. if namra and you were down by where the crazy students were, how were you guys safer..?

you didn't ask the question aloud, as there was no time to bicker over insignificant things. suddenly, you seen two figures barreling towards you and namra. “namra, go up, now!” you grabbed her hand and hoisted her onto the ladder, “go! climb!” you seen suhyeok was being pulled into the window, quickly going back to reach for namra. as namra's feet disappeared into the window, you felt a surge of relief wash over you. but it was short-lived, as you saw suhyeok's eyes widen in terror. "hurry! hurry!" he shouted, his voice strained. you turned to him and tried as quickly as possible to climb with two legs and one working arm. you could hear then snarling as you went upward, when you start to feel the ladder tipping back and forth. the weight of the two men making the ladder almost fold under the pressure, “come on! you got it!”

suhyeoks voice rung through your ears, the burning in your shoulder making you wanna just give up, as you reach your arm for the next step, you suddenly feel yourself being grabbed and hoisted upwards. your body feeling light when you came through the window. suhyeok pulled you with all his might and the pull carried you both to the nearby wall. you stumbled into your dimly lit english classroom, gasping for breath. suhyeok slammed the windows shut behind you, leaning against them to catch his breath. choi namra stood guard, her eyes fixed on the doors as if waiting for the inevitable. you leaned against a nearby wall, your mind reeling with questions.

“so? whats going on out there?” nayeon asked impatiently. out of breath, you held onto to your shoulder gently. everyone out of breath or staring was quiet. no one dared to speak. “are you deaf?” she shouted with a voice crack.

“shut up,” you muttered. everyone's eyes were glued to you now. “what?” she asked with disbelief, folding her arms over her chest. you closed your eyes while holding in tears because of the pain in your shoulder. “i said…shut up.” you repeated with vigor this time. standing upwards nonchalantly while looking at the doors who were being held by your classmates. “oh you little piece of-”

“stop it! both of you! now's not the time for this!” jimin shouted. you winced again with a heavy breath this time. once again all the attention turned towards you. “what happened to you?” onjo asked while walking towards you, only to be stopped by her best friend, cheongsan. onjo glared at him before removing his arm, however choosing to still stand beside him.

“i fell,” they stared at you for more information, “down the stairs outside. one of those..things tackled me.” upon being further informed the students all seemed to be getting more nervous.

“oh..my god. what the hell are they?”

the two girls huddled in the corner with freak-struck facial expressions. meanwhile gyeongsu looked like his arms were gonna break from holding the door from opening. “don't you know? theyre.. zombies.”

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