#choi nam-ra | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

literaturedog · 1 day ago

Text

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝚆𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚕𝚢 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚎

𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛. 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍, 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚍𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠

━━━ 'CHAPTER FIVE' [WHEN DAWN BREAKS]

SYNOPSIS ➢ theres always a price to pay for survival.

PAIRING ➢ lee suhyeok x male!reader

AU ➢ enemies-to-lovers au!

CONTENT WARNING ➢ this chapter contains; angst, homophobia, an adult calling a minor an inappropriate word, authority figure abuse, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]

NEXT | PREVIOUS

chaos erupted in the wooden classroom as everyone scrambled to find a cell phone - a lifeline to the police and, more urgently, their parents. meanwhile, you sat on the floor at the back of the class, exhausted and in agony. but then you remembered the small first aid kit tucked away in your bag, a habit that might just pay off. you shed your green school vest and began to unbutton your dirty, ripped white shirt, revealing the aftermath of your tumble down the stairs. with shaking hands, you opened the ointment bottle from your medkit and gently slid your shirt off your shoulder, wincing in anticipation of the treatment to come. across the echoey classroom, gyeongsu's voice rang out, "hey, joonyeong! i think you're right. they can't open doors!" he yelled to his classmate, who was grimly holding the doors shut against the infected horde. joonyeong's reply was laced with caution, "yeah well... let's keep 'em closed just in case."

meanwhile, the desperate search for a cell phone continued. daesu stood a few feet away from you, his eyes fixed on your pained expression as you applied medicine to the jagged gash on your shoulder and neck. his brow furrowed in concern, "a-are you okay?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with worry. you let out a weary sigh before responding, "yeah..."

daesu's nod was hesitant, his eyes darting back to yours with a mix of concern and skepticism. "do you, uh, need help? i could put it on for you," he offered, his voice tinged with uncertainty. you looked up at him, confusion etched on your face - was he genuinely willing to assist? "um, yeah- no... think i got it," you stammered, awkwardly thanking him.

daesu nodded again, his gaze dropping to his shoes, clearly eager to escape the uncomfortable exchange. you seized the opportunity to divert your attention, catching onjo's eye across the room. she flashed a gentle smile before returning to her search through scattered desks and backpacks. in that moment, you realized the depth of her kindness - a quality you'd overlooked until now. a pang of regret hit you; if only you'd mustered the courage to connect with her before all this chaos erupted. isak's triumphant shout cut through the disorder: "here! i found one!" the room's attention converged on her, where she stood beaming, a cell phone held aloft like a treasure. the device, pilfered from a forgotten backpack, sparked a flurry of hope. as isak attempted to unlock the phone, you seized the moment to rise from the floor, joining the crowd gathered around her.

"is it charged?" daesu asked, peering over cheongsan's shoulder. gyeongsu's retort came swiftly from his post at the door, "of course it's charged, you idiot, who the hell comes to school with a dead phone?" daesu's face fell, but he countered with a pout, "it could happen..." isak's sudden curse cut through the exchange: "shit. it's locked." the room's collective excitement deflated, replaced by a crushing wave of disappointment. while you walked to gaze out the classroom window, your injured arm hung limp against your torso. your mind began to wander, wondering if other students were trapped, just like you. the sight outside was eerie - zombies swarmed the school grounds, their convulsions visible even from a distance. in the soccer field below, you spotted familiar faces among the horde. one in particular caught your attention: a 1st year boy, his high school journey brutally cut short. his ripped jacket and bite-ridden skin were a grim reminder of the fate that had befallen him. you couldn't help but wonder... what were his parents doing at this moment, oblivious to the tragedy that had unfolded?

with a nervous gulp, you turned to see cheongsan holding up the treasure, tantalizingly close to the girl outside - now a snarling zombie, her jaws snapping wildly against the glass window. "what are you doing?" you asked, alarm creeping into your voice. isak and onjo turned to you, and isak explained, "he's trying face recognition." you shook your head, hesitation etched on your face, "that's... it's not gonna work. she's moving too much, and she looks completely different from just an hour ago." with a dismissive gesture, you tossed your vest onto the desk and leaned back, retreating into your own thoughts. cheongsan exchanged a skeptical glance with his friends, who shrugged in response, unsure of their next move.

onjo stepped forward, her impatience palpable. "y/n-ah is right. just call 112, you don't need to unlock it for emergency calls." cheongsan's fingers flew across the keypad as he dialed the number, the room falling silent in anticipation. you nervously ruffled your hair, which had fallen into your eyes, as a mix of unease and worry swirled inside you. your mind began to wander to your dad - was he okay? it was ironic, really, that you were worried about him now, when he'd probably never even noticed if you skipped school.

the seconds ticked by at a glacial pace as we waited for someone, anyone, to pick up. cheongsan's eyes were fixed on the phone, his grip on it tightening with each passing moment. onjo shifted her weight, her eyes darting between the phone and the window, where the zombie girl still snapped and clawed at the glass. you couldn't help but think of all the worst-case scenarios, your mind racing with the possibilities. and then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything was silent. the phone's ringing had stopped, replaced by an eerie stillness. "hello?" a voice crackled through the speaker.

cheongsan's voice was shaking slightly as he spoke, "h-hello? yes, we need help. our school... it's been overrun by zombies." the voice on the other end was calm and detached, "what's your location?" onjo leaned in, her eyes locked on the phone, "we're at hyosan high school. please, you have to hurry." the voice replied, "yeah sure sure.. help is on the way. just don't get bit.." you felt a surge of hope at the words, but it was short-lived. the sudden sound of the call ending had erupted in the silence.

wujin's voice rose in frustration as he exclaimed, "they hung up? what the fuck..?" daesu tried to calm him down, offering a reassuring presence. you couldn't help but groan at cheongsan's blunder, "why would you tell them there were zombies? you should've said something more urgent." your annoyance was palpable, and cheongsan shot back, feeling defensive, "then what would you have said, huh?" the room fell silent, all eyes turning to you, waiting for a response.

you ventured a suggestion, "i don't know, like, there's a serial killer or something.." your words trailed off as you nodded, but the silence that followed was deafening. you glanced away, feeling a twinge of awkwardness at the lack of response. "..or not," you added, your voice barely above a whisper.

jimin's calm and collected voice cut through the tension, "it doesn't matter. the teachers and principal are probably having people come get us." her words were like a balm, soothing the frazzled nerves of the group. the reminder of the adults' presence was a welcome one - they would come, they would rescue us, and we would be reunited with our families. the thought brought a sense of comfort, a reassurance that we weren't alone in this desperate situation.

nayeon's frustration boiled over, her voice rising to a shout. "ugh, just call them again!" but joonyeong’s response was laced with urgency, "hey, keep it down, you're gonna attract more of them." his arms ached from holding the door shut, his muscles cramping from the strain. just then, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air, echoing down the hallway. everyone's heads snapped towards the sound, their curiosity and fear piqued. the zombies outside, once shuffling aimlessly, now lurched towards the commotion, their footsteps shuffling rapidly down the corridor. as the hallway cleared, gyeongsu cautiously opened the door, peeking outside before suhyeok yanked him back to safety. amidst the chaos, onjo seized the phone, her fingers flying across the keypad as she dialed a mysterious number. the room fell silent, all eyes fixed on her, wondering what she was planning.

onjo sidled up beside you, her shoulder grazing yours as she leaned against the desk. you sensed a piercing gaze and glanced back to find cheongsan's eyes flashing with hostility. swiftly, you averted your gaze, focusing on the window's distant view.

meanwhile, onjo's voice was calm and composed as she spoke into the phone. "hello, sir. do you know captain nam soju from rescue team one?" her words trailed off, leaving you wondering who she was talking to. your eyebrows knitted together in surprise - how did onjo know someone of such high rank? the question lingered, unanswered, as you waited for her next words.

onjo's gaze shifted towards you, her expression a mask of neutrality as she listened intently to the voice on the other end. the silence stretched, and the eye contact became too much to bear. you cleared your throat, breaking the spell, and redirected your attention to your shoes - suddenly, they seemed fascinating. however, onjo's next words shattered the calm, her tone grave and urgent. "there's a fire." the room's atmosphere shifted, everyone's ears perking up at the alarm. "it's in classroom 2-5 of hyson high school. hurry, it's massive." with that, she ended the call, the sudden silence punctuated only by the weight of her words. the

“theyre coming?” you ask softly, eyes filled with hope. onjo nodded her head with a sigh of relief. “thats great! we’ll be back home in no time.” hyoryeong said with a small nervous chuckle. “right?” she asked with insecurity. not being confident in her exclamation.

onjo's nod was reassuring, but her expression remained cautious. "yes, they're on their way. but we need to be careful, we don't know what's happening outside." she glanced around the room, her eyes lingering on the barricaded doors. hyoryeong’s eyes darted to you, then back to onjo, her voice barely above a whisper. "what if...what if they don't make it in time?"

the room fell silent, the weight of hyoryeong's words settling over the group like a shroud. you exchanged a nervous glance with onjo, the hope in your chest beginning to flicker with doubt. onjo's expression turned grim, her jaw clenched in determination. "they'll make it," she said, her voice firm. "we just need to hold out a little longer." but her words were cut short by a loud scream once again from outside the room. the group's heads snapped towards the sound, hearts racing. the wooden walls creaked, groaning under the pressure. "what was that?" gyeongsu whispered, his eyes wide with fear.

you spoke up, your voice firm, "that's the second time we've heard that scream." but no one responded, and you felt exasperated. you stood up and moved away from the desk, "hey, someone could be out there." but your words were met with disbelieving stares. daesu asked incredulously, "what, you wanna go out there?"

you hesitated, feeling a flush rise to your cheeks, "i'm just saying...i would want someone to come looking for me if i was missing." your words tumbled out, laced with a shy vulnerability.

nayeon flopped down in a chair, her back to you, and huffed, "if you wanna go out there, be my guest, but i'm staying here." her dismissive tone made you scoff. you rolled your eyes, muttering under your breath, "god forbid you actually contribute." but nayeon seemed oblivious, already pleading with jimin to call the police again, her voice laced with desperation. meanwhile, you focused on the mundane task of tying your shoes, careful not to strain your shoulder. once finished, you stood up, buttoning your torn white shirt with a sense of determination. your eyes locked onto gyeongsu, and you began to head towards him, ready to take action.

every gaze in the room locked onto you, confusion etched on every face. gyeongsu's voice rose above the rest, "wait, are you really gonna go out there?" he asked, incredulous. wujin chimed in, his tone laced with doubt, "you're injured, how do you even expect to help?" his words hung in the air, a challenge.

you turned to him, your voice low and sharp, "now you're concerned about me?" the quiet snap was a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside. you shook your head, disbelief written across your face. the same childhood friend who had ignored you yesterday now pretended to care? it was almost laughable.

your words sparked a reaction, daesu taking a step forward, his face tense with a mix of confusion and annoyance. "what the hell is that supposed to mean?" he demanded, his hand on wujin's shoulder, as if holding him back from lashing out. you let out a sigh, the sound barely audible, and turned away from the confrontation, your eyes drifting towards gyeongsu and the door. "forget it," you muttered, your voice laced with a hint of frustration, as you began to head towards the exit.

but your progress was halted by a hand on your shoulder, suhyeok's grip gentle yet firm. he looked down at you with an expression of genuine worry, his brow furrowed in concern. "i'll go with you," he said, his voice resolute, his determination clear in his tone.

suhyeok's declaration sparked a wave of panic within the group, like a stone tossed into a tranquil pond. you couldn't help but think: of course, everyone's worried now that the golden boy is going with me - the outcast. "suhyeok, you can't!" onjo exclaimed, her voice laced with urgency, "we don't know if that person is even still alive or not." she added, her words dripping with concern.

you shrugged suhyeok's hand off your shoulder, the touch feeling suffocating, and took a step back, creating some distance. he noticed your uncomfortable withdrawal, his eyes narrowing slightly. "i don't need you to come with me..." you said, your voice barely above a whisper, as you looked away, avoiding eye contact.

isak's words hung in the air, laced with a quiet intensity. "yeah, if y/n-ah wants to go, then let him. that's his choice, not yours." her eyes betrayed a deep-seated fear, not of the present moment, but of the unknown consequences that might unfold.

suhyeok turned towards you, but you avoided his gaze, your eyes fixed on some invisible point on the floor. his attention shifted to the table, where your green vest lay discarded. he swiftly walked over and picked it up, and with a swift motion, ripped it halfway down the middle. "hey, what are you-" you started to ask, confusion etched on your face, but suhyeok's finger pressed against his lips, signaling silence. you watched, perplexed, as he tied the two pieces together in a knot, his hands moving with a quiet purpose.

with a few quick movements, suhyeok transformed the torn vest into a makeshift sling, his hands moving with a quiet confidence. "here, put your head through here and you can let your arm hang here," he instructed, his voice low and gentle. before you knew it, he had crafted a perfect solution to ease the tension on your upper shoulder and neck.

meanwhile, daesu and wujin exchanged a weighted glance, their faces a picture of suspicion and uncertainty. you shot suhyeok a sideways glare, your eyes narrowing slightly. "i'm not thanking you," you whispered, your voice barely audible, as you looked up at him with a mix of annoyance and gratitude. suhyeok's expression remained neutral, his eyes locked onto yours. "i know," he said simply, as he fell into step beside you, following you out towards gyeongsu.

as you walked, the silence between you and suhyeok was palpable, punctuated only by the soft rustling of your clothes and the distant sounds of the group getting up behind you. you couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort at his presence, his actions both helpful and infuriating at the same time.

gyeongsu waited by the door, his eyes scanning your face before shifting to suhyeok. "ready?" he asked, his voice low and even. you nodded curtly, avoiding eye contact with suhyeok. "we’ll just go check and come back." with a quiet nod, gyeongsu pushed open the door, revealing a brightly lit corridor beyond. the air was thick with an eerie silence, and you could feel the weight of the unknown pressing down upon you.

as you stepped into the corridor, the door creaked shut behind you, enveloping you in an unsettling quiet. the air was heavy with the scent of dust and decay, and the flickering fluorescent lights above cast your eerie shadows on the walls.

you led the way, your footsteps echoing off the walls, with suhyeok following closely behind. your eyes scanning the deserted hallway, your senses on high alert. the corridor twisted and turned, leading you deeper into the heart of the building. you couldn't shake the feeling that you were being watched, that unblinking eyes were trained on you from the shadows. suddenly, you halted, your head cocked to one side to find suhyeoks hand on your back. "do you hear that?" suhyeok suddenly whispered, his voice barely audible.

your eyes narrowed, your gaze scanning the hallways. "hear what? and stop touching me." you hiss at him. suhyeoks eyes locked onto yours, his expression grim. "that." then, you heard it too - a low, mournful whimper, seeming to come from the direction in front of you. you cautiously peeked around the corner, your gaze drifting down the dimly lit hallway towards the staircase, the flickering fluorescent lights above grabbed your attention. but what you saw made your heart skip a beat - a girl's limp form hung suspended from the stairway's bars, her body eerily still, her eyes frozen in a permanent scream. you gasped, your instincts screaming at you to act, your mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

but before you could take a step forward, suhyeok's arm snaked around your waist, pulling you back into the shadows with a swift, firm motion. "what the fuck did i tell you-" you hissedat him. his voice low and urgent, his breath warm against your ear, before clamping a hand over your mouth, his fingers pressing against your lips. "at least look around before you get yourself killed."

his eyes narrowed, annoyance etched on his face, his brow furrowed in concern. you shot him a defiant glance, your eyes flashing with anger, your heart still racing from the shock. shoving him off of you, "you touch me again and i'll push you into those things," you threatened, your finger jabbing into his face, your voice barely above a whisper.

suhyeok's expression twisted into a disbelieving scoff, his eyes rolling heavenward. "yeah, i'd like to see that," he taunted, his voice dripping with skepticism, his gaze lingering on yours with a hint of challenge.

you swiftly silenced suhyeok with a hushed command, your eyes darting back to the staircase. that's when you saw it - a zombie looming mere inches from the girl's desperate grasp, its presence a constant threat. she struggled to pull herself up, her face reddened with exertion, sweat dripping down her forehead. but every time the zombie turned, she'd retreat, hiding in a futile bid for safety.

time was running out - she was mere seconds from slipping, her fingers trembling with fatigue. if she fell, it would be a four-story drop to certain death. you watched, transfixed, as she teetered on the brink of disaster.

as you scanned your surroundings, a forgotten pencil case caught your eye, lying just a few feet away. with a deep breath, you dropped to the ground, army crawling towards the pencil case with deliberate slowness. your gaze remained fixed on the zombie, while suhyeok's eyes locked onto your legs, poised to pull you to safety at a moment's notice.

with suhyeok watching your every move, you inched closer to the pencil case, your hand reaching out to claim it. finally, your fingers closed around it, and you crawled backward, creating a safe distance between yourself and the zombie. then, with a swift motion, you hurled the pencil case down a nearby hallway, the sound echoing off the walls as it flew through the air. the zombie's attention was caught, its body lurching away from the girl as it shambled down the hallway in pursuit of the noise. seizing the opportunity, you began to stand, but suhyeok was already ahead, swiftly closing the distance to the girl. helping her down and he grasped her hand, pulling her to safety as she thanked him over and over, her voice trembling with tears.

"you're my hero, truly. thank you so much," the girl gushed, her arms wrapping tightly around suhyeok's neck as she hugged him with gratitude. but you were already moving, your patience worn thin. "lets go," you whispered urgently, your voice low and insistent.

suhyeok pulled the girl along, her hand still clutched in his, as you all turned the corner and sped through the hallways with a crouched, hurried gait. the girl's sobs grew louder, her words tumbling out in a frantic, tear-choked explanation of what had happened to her friends. suhyeok tried to calm her down, his voice a soothing murmur, but she was beyond consolation, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she hyperventilated.

"you need to stop crying, or we are all gonna die," you warned, turning back to the girl with a stern expression, your finger pressed to your lips in a silencing gesture. but before you could continue, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway behind you - loud, quick, and getting closer.

"run!" suhyeok yelled, darting to the front of the group as you all sprinted down the hall. your hearts racing, you turned a corner and finally saw the classroom door ahead. suhyeok pounded on it urgently with both fists, releasing the girl's hand as he did so. you caught up, breathless, and saw nayeon blocking gyeongsu's attempt to open the door, the two of them arguing in hushed tones. but before you could intervene, you turned to see a horde of zombies rounding the corner behind you - three to seven of them, their eyes fixed on you with a mindless hunger as they ran at full speed.

in a flash of quick thinking, you slid open the classroom window and urged suhyeok to climb through. he cast a desperate glance at the zombies closing in, their ragged breathing and shambling footsteps mere feet away, before hoisting himself up and through the opening. he reached back for your hand, but you gestured for him to take the girl's instead.

with a surge of adrenaline, you grabbed her knee and pushed her upwards, trying to boost her to safety. but she clung to your arm, her eyes fixed on the horrors behind, her cries growing more frantic. "go! go!" you shouted, pushing her upward with increasing urgency, as suhyeok tried to pull her arm up from the other side.

suhyeok's grip on her hand faltered, sending her tumbling over you as you desperately tried to break her fall. you groaned, the impact knocking the wind from your lungs, as the zombies closed in - now mere feet away. with a surge of adrenaline, you tried to haul her to her feet, but she was paralyzed with fear, her screams echoing through the hallway.

"come on! damnit!" you shouted, tugging at her arm with increasing urgency, but she was frozen in terror. and then, in a flash of horror, the closest zombie latched onto her leg, its jaws closing around her ankle like a vice. she shrieked in agony as the zombie's teeth sank deep, the others quickly following suit, their bites tearing into her flesh with savage ferocity.

you stood frozen, helpless, as the zombies feasted on her flesh, their gruesome banquet mere feet away. the girl's eyes locked onto yours, her face contorted in a silent plea, her tears streaming down her cheeks like rain. her hand reached out, a desperate bid for salvation, but it was too late. just as all hope seemed lost, a chorus of screams erupted from the windows, the voices of your friends shouting your name, their cries piercing the air like a siren's wail.

“y/n-ah, leave her!”

“shes gone, come on!”

“y/n-ah, move your ass!”

“get inside! now!”

a crushing wave of guilt and fear washed over you, paralyzing your nerves and muscles. your eyes widened in horror, frozen in place as the zombies devoured the girl below. but then, a pair of arms wrapped around you, lifting you up with a gentle yet urgent strength. you felt yourself being pulled up into the window, your limp body causing you and your rescuer to tumble backward onto the classroom floor.

as you sat up, dazed and disoriented, you found yourself cradled in someone's lap, their arms wrapped tightly around you. the warmth of their embrace was a stark contrast to the terror you'd just faced, and for a moment, you simply sat there, frozen in shock. the others shut the windows quickly and held onto the doors to keep them shut.

your head hung limp, your gaze fixed on your lap as you felt the strong, muscled arms wrapped around your body, holding you in a tight embrace. the pressure caused your shoulder to ache, but you didn't have the strength to move. slowly, you lifted your head, your eyes scanning the room as reality began to seep back in. that's when you saw them - your classmates gathered around you, their faces etched with concern. and then, you realized who was holding you - suhyeok. with a surge of adrenaline, you swiftly elbowed him in the ribs, breaking free from his grasp. you stood up, your legs trembling slightly as you found your balance.

he coughed, his eyes widening in surprise at your sudden movement. "what the..?" daesu muttered, confusion etched on his face as he looked from you to suhyeok, unsure of what had just happened.

"i told you. stop touching me," you said, your voice firm, as you clutched your shoulder, still feeling the ache from suhyeok's grip. your hair was disheveled, a testament to the intensity of the moment that had just passed. you glared down at suhyeok, who looked away, defeated, his eyes cast downward in submission.

but cheongsan wasn't having it. "yah, suhyeok-ah saved you," he spoke up, his voice tinged with annoyance. "you should be thanking him." his words hung in the air while others just stared.

slowly, you turned to face the group, your eyes meeting the gaze of your friends, who were all staring at you, their faces etched with concern. your chest still heaved rapidly, a reminder of the chaos that had just unfolded.

the room was thick with tension, the only sound the heavy breathing that still racked your body. you felt like you were under a microscope, every eye on you, waiting for your reaction. suhyeok's gaze remained downcast, his shoulders slumped in defeat. cheongsan's eyes flashed with irritation, the others looked on, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. the silence stretched out, becoming almost unbearable. you knew you needed to say something, to break the tension, but your mind was a blank. all you could think about was the feeling of suhyeok's arms around you, holding you captive, and the horror that had just unfolded below the window.

jimin's voice had a subtle rebuke. "he wouldn't have had to save him if you had let gyeongsu open the door," she said, her gaze fixed on nayeon as she strode away, her eyes scanning the other windows with a mix of fear and determination. nayeon spun back, her face twisted in a scowl. "you wanted to leave them out there!" jimin accused, her voice low and venomous.

nayeon's defenses were clearly breached, her words tumbling out in a rush. "so what? they decided to go out there, we never told them to! they could've been bit, fuck, they could still be!" her finger jabbed toward you and suhyeok, the pressure of the moment clearly getting to her.

suhyeok slowly rose to his feet behind you, still wincing in pain as he released his grip on his ribs. "you can check us, we didn't get bit," he said, his voice steady, his eyes locked on nayeon. onjo quickly came to his defense, her voice firm. "suhyeok-ah said they aren't bitten, he wouldn't lie," she said, her gaze fixed on nayeon, trying to reassure her.

but before the tension could ease, cheongsan strode forward, his eyes scanning you from head to toe before narrowing in suspicion. "oh sure, check me but not him, right?" you shot back, your voice laced with sarcasm, as you stood face to face with him. cheongsan took a step closer, his jaw clenched. "and? you have a problem with it?" he asked, his tone confrontational.

just as the confrontation was reaching a boiling point, suhyeok stepped in, his hand extending from behind you to gently but firmly push cheongsan back. "guys, not now," he said, his voice a calm anchor in the storm, trying to steer the group away from further conflict. gyeongsu, leaning against the door frame, chimed in with a soothing tone, "yeah, come on guys, we gotta be careful. now's not the time to argue." but his words were quickly met with a sharp tone from nayeon. "oh, now you wanna add on?" she snapped, her voice dripping with disdain. "you're such a liability, and you don't even know it." the air seemed to vibrate with tension as her words hung in the air, a challenge to gyeongsu's very presence.

gyeongsu's face reddened with anger as he took a step forward, his voice rising. "what? what did you just say?" but before he could get any closer to nayeon, his friends grabbed his arms, holding him back. "everyone needs to just shut up and sit down-" someone started to say, but the words were cut off by a sudden commotion.

"watch out!" you yelled, as the classroom door burst open and a frantic figure scrambled inside. everyone recoiled in fear, unsure of who this new arrival might be, but as the person turned to face the group, a collective sigh of relief rippled through the room. it was coach kang, his face flushed and sweaty, his chest heaving with exertion.

the room fell silent, all eyes fixed on the coach as he struggled to catch his breath. finally, he spoke, his voice gruff with concern. "are you guys okay?"

the question hung in the air, open to interpretation. but before anyone else could respond, gyeongsu nodded curtly, speaking for the group.

gyeongsu's eyes narrowed slightly as he approached coach kang, his voice laced with skepticism. "what about you, you weren't bitten?" coach kang's head shook slowly, his chest still heaving with exhaustion. "no, of course not. i-im alright. yeah, i'm alright," he stammered, his nod a bit too emphatic. something about his demeanor didn't quite add up, and your eyebrows furrowed in concern. you turned to your right, searching for a shared spark of suspicion, and found it in namra's watchful gaze. as your eyes met, a silent understanding passed between you, a sense that something was off.

namra rose slowly from her seat, her movements fluid and deliberate, her eyes never leaving yours. unspoken questions, the group's attention drawn to the subtle exchange between you and namra.

"okay, well let's block the doors first," coach kang instructed, his voice snapping the group back into action. the room's dynamic shifted in an instant, as if a switch had been flipped, and everyone reverted to their student roles, mannerisms and all. with newfound urgency, the group sprang into motion, rushing to construct a makeshift barricade. desks scraped against the floor, chairs clattered on top, and the sound of heavy breathing filled the air. you strained to move a desk with one hand, your legs pushing against the floor to drag it into place.

"hurry up, what's taking you so-" coach kang's voice trailed off, his words freezing in his throat as his gaze landed on you. his eyes widened, his face a picture of shock, as if he'd seen something that made his blood run cold. "what happened to you?" coach kang asked, his voice laced with a wariness that bordered on suspicion.

you let out a frustrated huff before explaining, "i fell down the stairs and hurt my shoulder. i wasn't bit if that's what you're thinking..." but your words trailed off as your gaze drifted down to the coach's arm. a jagged red gash caught your eye, surrounded by teeth marks and bloody flesh. the sight made your heart skip a beat. coach kang seemed to sense your stunned silence, and cleared his throat awkwardly, busying himself with moving chairs and avoiding eye contact. it was clear he was no longer interested in listening to your explanation.

you turned to onjo and jimin, their eyes already locked on the coach's arm, a silent understanding passing between them. "do you guys see that...?" you whispered, your voice a mere breath, as if speaking the truth might shatter the fragile calm.

onjo and jimin nodded in slow, synchronized motion, their faces reflecting a dawning realization. onjo's voice rang out, a loud whisper that cut through the tension. "coach kang, you have a bite on your arm!" the coach's face drained of color, his skin turning a ghostly pale. "w-what? no, no," he stuttered, his hand jerking up to yank his sleeve down, hiding the offending arm. "no, i wasn't bitten, it's alright," he protested, his words tumbling out in a frantic bid to reassure, but his eyes betrayed a growing panic.

the coach's denial was met with incredulity. "you have a bite mark, how is that not a bite-" but before you could finish, he cut you off with a sharp rebuke.

"shut up, i said it isn't. don't talk back to me, you're a student," he spat, his words dripping with venom. his tone was a slap in the face, and you felt a surge of indignation at the dismissive language. isak stepped into the fray, her voice calm but firm. "it looks like you were really bitten," she observed, her eyes fixed on the coach's arm. the coach's face turned red with rage. "i wasn't! how many times must i tell you?" he thundered, his eyebrows shooting up in disbelief and anger, as if the very suggestion was an affront to his authority.

"show it then!" you demanded, your voice firm and resolute. isak stepped forward while her tone was uncompromising. "then why the hell are you hiding it? show us." the coach's gaze faltered under the weight of their combined scrutiny. isak’s eyes flashed with a fierce intensity, her voice dripping with authority. "i think you should leave right now," she commanded, her words a clear dismissal.

as the standoff continued, you discreetly glanced to your side, your eyes landing on a desk with a sharp pen lying on it. with a slow, deliberate movement, you reached out and grasped the pen, hiding it behind your leg, your grip tightening around it. "come on! get out already!" isak yelled, her frustration boiling over, her words echoing through the tense silence.

the coach's face twisted in a sudden, vitriolic outburst. "you cocksucker!" he bellowed. you spun around, bewildered, and shot back, "are you insane? watch your mouth!" your gaze swept the room, locking eyes with your male peers. "you're gonna let him speak to her like that?" you asked, your tone laced with disgust and outrage.the coach's face reddened, his finger jabbing accusingly at you. "you stop talking! i could call you the same thing!" his lips curled into a sneer, a cold, calculated glint in his eye. "yeah...you think i don't know?" he taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "you think they don't know?" he sneered, his gaze raking the room. but you stood your ground, your voice firm and resolute. "i don't give a fuck what they think, and you need to leave now, you fucking pervert." your words struck a nerve, and for a moment, the coach's mask slipped, revealing a flicker of unease beneath.

"how dare you speak to me like that? do you think i won't remember this when this is all finished? huh?" his thunderous voice sent shockwaves through the room, loud enough to draw a few zombies to the hallway outside. as he took a menacing step closer to isak, onjo swiftly intervened, positioning herself protectively in front of her friend. you instinctively moved to stand guard, the pen at the ready. "y/n-ah, stay back!" wujin warned, his voice firm and urgent. "he's infected," joonyeong added, her eyes fixed warily on the coach.

and then, a telltale sign of the infection's grip: a nosebleed. the coach's eyes widened as he felt the warm trickle down his face, his gaze dropping to the crimson droplets staining his clothes and splattering the floor.

the coach's gaze snapped back up, his eyes locking onto yours with a mix of anger and desperation. his face twisted in a snarl, the nosebleed worsening as he took another step forward. you stood your ground, the pen poised like a tiny sword, ready to strike.

"stay back!" wujin and joonyeong chorused, their voices a united front against the coach's erratic behavior. onjo's eyes darted between the coach and you, her expression a mask of concern. the coach's body language screamed warning signs - the jerky movements, the wild eyes, the increasing aggression. you knew the infection was taking hold, and time was running out. with a deep breath, you steeled yourself for what might come next.

the coach's eyes seemed to glaze over, his pupils dilating as he took another step closer. his mouth opened, revealing bloody teeth, and a low, menacing growl rumbled from his throat. you gripped the pen tightly, bracing for impact.

"he's gone," joonyeong whispered, his voice barely audible over the coach's eerie growl. "we need to get out of here, now."

onjo nodded, her eyes fixed on the coach's deteriorating form. "y/n, come on," she urged, tugging on your arm. for a moment, you saw a glimmer of the person he once was, trapped beneath the surface of the infection. in a split second, the coach's face twisted into a grotesque snarl, and he sprang into action - but his target was mijin, trapped between the narrow lockers. panic erupted as he pounced, his body pinning hers to the ground.

chaos ensued as the group scrambled to escape the horror, but daesu stood tall, his adrenaline-fueled strength surging as he rushed to mijin's aid. with a fierce cry, he heaved the coach's zombie form off her, slamming him into the nearby wall with a bone-jarring crash. as the dust settled, all eyes turned to mijin, her face etched with pain and fear. and then, the unthinkable - a crimson bite mark marred her lips, a grim harbinger of the fate that awaited her.

mijin's eyes widened in terror as she stumbled backward, her hand instinctively rising to cover the wound. "no, no, no..." she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

daesu's face fell, his eyes filled with a mix of horror and helplessness. "mijin, oh god..." he trailed off, his voice cracking with emotion. the group stood frozen, paralyzed by the grim reality unfolding before them. the coach's zombie form, still reeling from daesu's tackle, began to stir once more, its eyes fixed on mijin with a mindless hunger.

"we have to get out of here, now," wujin urged, his voice firm but laced with desperation. "we can't let her...we can't let her become one of them." but it was too late. mijin's eyes began to glaze over, her body starting to succumb to the infection's deadly grip. a faint moan escaped her lips, and she took a stumbling step forward, her gaze fixed on the group with a growing hunger.

in a heart-stopping instant, coach kang's body contorted in a grotesque convulsion, his limbs twitching with an otherworldly energy. he sprang to his feet, his movements jerky and unnatural, and launched himself at suhyeok and wujin. the latter held up a chair as a makeshift shield, but suhyeok swiftly shoved him out of harm's way, dodging to the side as the zombie coach crashed into the podium behind them.

the zombie's head twitched, its eyes locking onto suhyeok with a mindless hunger. it lunged, arms outstretched, but suhyeok dodged the grasp by a hair's breadth. with a swift punch, he struck the zombie coach in the face, but it seemed to have no effect. the zombie latched onto suhyeok, its grip unyielding. your heart sank as you watched in horror, but instinct took over. you sprinted forward, grabbing a chair with one arm and slamming it into the zombie coach's back with a loud crash. the force of the blow sent shockwaves through the air, but the zombie's grip on suhyeok remained unbroken.

in a flash of adrenaline, suhyeok seized the opportunity to turn the tables, using the zombie momentum against him. with a swift motion, he hurled the man into the wall, the sound of crunching bone and scraping flesh echoing through the room.

cheongsan sprang into action, grabbing a nearby desk and slamming it into place, pinning the man to the wall with a fierce determination. gyeongsu rushed to his side, adding his strength to the effort, and together they strained to keep the desk in place, holding the snarling zombie at bay.

the air was electric with tension as the two boys wrestled with the desk, their muscles straining to keep the zombie trapped. the sound of scraping furniture and labored breathing filled the room, a testament to their desperate bid to contain the monstrous creature that had once been their coach. as you stood there, chest heaving, the chaos seemed to slow down, and your gaze drifted to the side. that's when you saw mijin, her eyes brimming with tears, her face a picture of despair. nayeon burst into the space between you, her movements frantic as she began to dismantle the barricade at the door.

"y/n-ah...please," she begged, her voice barely audible over her sobs. her eyes pleaded with you, and yours stung in response, welling up with tears. "i-its...it's gonna be okay," you whispered softly, trying to reassure her as she stumbled towards you, her hands shaking like leaves. you knew you had to calm her down, to make her believe everything would be alright. "mijin-ah, you have to stay where you are, okay?" you continued, trying to sound calm, but the words felt like a betrayal. "it's okay...it's just a scratch," you lied, the words tasting bitter on your lips. but you knew the power of the mind was a potent thing – maybe, just maybe, if mijin believed it, it could become true.

mijin's gaze fell to the floor, her eyes clouding with disbelief at your words. she took a step forward, her feet carrying her towards nayeon, who was still frantically trying to clear the barricade. but as mijin approached, nayeon's fear spiked, and she scrambled onto the desk, her eyes wide with terror. "get away from me!" nayeon shrieked, her legs kicking out wildly as she tried to push mijin away. one kick landed squarely on mijin's chest, sending her crashing to the floor.

"nayeon, stop!" you bellowed, your rage lifting at the scene unfolding before you. but it was too late. mijin's body began to contort, her neck cracking ominously as her limbs twitched with an unnatural, robotic jerkiness. then, a blood-curdling screech tore from her throat, and she sprang to her feet, her hands dangling limply at her sides.

daesu sprang into action, his arms encircling mijin's waist as she launched herself at him with a savage ferocity. but even his formidable strength was pushed to the limit as mijin's body contorted and twisted, her limbs flailing with a wild, unbridled energy. with a swift, urgent glance, daesu roared, "everyone, out, now!" and made a frantic dash for the door, mijin's crazed form clutched tightly in his grasp. her body arched and bucked, threatening to break free from his hold, but daesu's grip remained unyielding as he battled to contain the fury that had consumed her.

as the two zombies continued to writhe and snarl, suhyeok's voice cut through the chaos, "we gotta go." he sprinted to nayeon's side, and together they frantically cleared the doorway of debris, their movements fueled by desperation. "get out, get out!" suhyeok's guttural shout echoed through the room, his words punctuated by the sound of scraping furniture and shuffling footsteps.

you scanned the room, ensuring everyone had escaped before making a final dash for the door. "lets go guys!" you yelled, shoving the last straggler forward as you followed close behind. but as you emerged into the hallway, a sense of unease settled in - suhyeok was nowhere to be seen. you spun back to face the door, just as he stumbled out, his face etched with exhaustion, and slammed it shut behind him. with a shared sense of urgency, you followed the group down the familiar hallways, the same corridors where, just moments before, you had tried to save a young girl from the clutches of the undead. as you pounded the hallway floor in a frantic sprint, your momentum was abruptly halted by a collision with joonyeong's back. the sudden impact sent a ripple through the group, and before you could process what was happening, everyone began swiftly reversing direction, their feet shuffling in unison.

curiosity getting the better of you, you darted a glance to the side, and your heart sank. a horde of zombies was closing in, their vacant eyes fixed on the group with a chilling hunger. nayeon's terrified screams pierced the air, echoing off the walls as she crumpled to the floor, her legs seemingly unable to support her. the group's frantic energy was visible, and you knew you had to act fast to avoid being overwhelmed by the encroaching undead.

in a flash, suhyeok burst from the rear of the group, his movements a blur as he launched himself upward, landing a lightning-fast kick on the bloodied student's face. the sudden display of agility left you breathless - stunned didn't begin to describe it. with a fierce determination, suhyeok continued his assault, pinning zombies to the walls and sending them crashing to the ground. but despite his valiant efforts, one managed to slip past his defenses, charging towards the group with a menacing intent.

without hesitation, you darted forward, weaving through the crowd with a swift precision. as the zombie closed in, you struck, your kick finding its mark on the undead attacker's leg. the zombie's balance faltered, and it crashed to the floor, its momentum extinguished.

just as you thought you'd dodged the worst of it, a zombie lunged from the shadows, its grasp closing around your injured arm like a clutch. a searing pain shot through your limb as the zombie's grip tightened, and you couldn't help but yell out in anguish as it yanked your arm with a sudden, violent force. in a heart-stopping instant, the zombie's mouth was mere centimeters from your arm, its rancid breath washing over your skin as it prepared to deliver the final, gruesome bite. time seemed to slow as you faced the very real possibility of becoming the zombie's next victim.

“y/n-ah! no!”

84 notes · View notes