Hongjoong held Seonghwa's hand as they walked slowly down the hallway, making their way towards the control room. So far they hadn't encountered any zombies, since the majority seemed to have gotten through on stage right and stayed there.

So hopefully it would stay that way.

"Hwa, I want you to know that even if I don't make it out of here-"

"No. We're not having this conversation."

"Hwa, we can't know what lies ahead, and if I die-"

"You won't."

"I might."

"You won't."

"But if I do, I have things I want to say to you. To know I got a chance to tell you."

"Well you won't die so you won't have to worry about it. You can tell me once we're safe."

"What if that never happens?"

"Why are you being so negative? You know you have some control over whether you live or die, don't you?"

"Hwa, we're facing fucking zombies. We can't know what will happen. You have to be prepared for the worst."

"I can't. I can't even think about it, Joong. How can you possibly be okay with dying!?"

"I'm not! I'm just saying it might happen. You can't predict what will happen in a fucking apocalypse! I don't want anyone to get hurt but you can't just expect everything to be fine!"

They realized their voices were rising above a whisper and quickly stopped, listening for any signs of danger.

"Look, I'm sorry. I just don't want you getting hurt if something happens. If you don't prepare for it, it'll hurt so much more when it happens."

"When??"

"Fine, if. But Hwa...I'm just saying...if something happens to me, you need to keep going. Okay?"

"Fuck you, nothing's going to happen. And if it does, you and I are going down together. I'm not leaving here without you Hongjoong."

"Don't you dare say that, Hwa. Don't be stupid. Don't throw your life away for me. Do you hear me?"

Just as Seonghwa was about to respond, a loud gunshot interrupted their thoughts and Seonghwa tightened his grip on Hongjoong's hand.

The two were frozen in fear.

It had to have been someone who hadn't turned. Another survivor. And they might need help.

But...

It probably meant there were zombies up ahead. If they hid now, they could stay safe. The shot might have been a warning to anyone around to run.

But it could also be a cry for help.

A last resort.

"Fuck," Hongjoong sighed under his breath.

"Shit," Seonghwa answered.

After a short hand squeeze, they released each other and took off running towards the sound.

...

"STAY WITH ME MINHO! I'M RIGHT HERE!" Chan screamed, trying to shake Minho back to consciousness as Sungyeol took aim at any of the zombies who drew near.

"I can't keep them back for long! There's too many!" she cried, as she tried her best to take them down.

Chan hoisted Minho onto his back, grunting with the effort.

"We need to take cover as fast as possible! Follow me and don't look back!" Chan ordered and Sungyeol nodded.

Chan raced along the wall, kicking away as many zombies as he could while his hands held Minho's arms tightly across his chest. Sungyeol stayed close behind, keeping a hand on Minho's back to make sure he didn't slip off. She could see the blood running down Chan's white pants as Minho's injury continued to run.

"He's losing too much blood. We need to cover his wound!" she said, reaching to cover it with her hand.

"We don't have time right now! We need to get to safety!"

"He might not make it if he keeps bleeding out! He's already lost consciousness!"

Chan continued forward, starting to feel the strain of holding another person. Sungyeol knew they didn't have time but she knew a way she could buy some.

"His life is more important," she whispered, and turned around.

"Sungyeol-SUNGYEOL WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Chan had only a chance to glance back before he saw Sungyeol throw herself into the mass of zombies, digging her heels into the ground to stabilize herself.

"SUNGYEOL!"

Chan knew he couldn't save her. She was already getting bitten from all sides. But his heart couldn't accept it.

He would've run right to her.

If...

If he wasn't feeling the draining effects of Minho's bodyweight. Sungyeol smiled at him as she kept back the zombies, using her body as a human shield.

"Go. I'm just glad I got to meet you before I died," she said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Chan burst into tears as he turned around and ran with every last bit of strength he could muster, his eyes locked on the door ahead of him.

Sungyeol had sacrificed her life for them.

And Haewon...

What did he ever do to deserve that??

He was just a boy who liked making music. Not some fucking messiah.

It was his fault that two incredible people were dead.

It was his fault all of the fans who'd gathered in the auditorium were dead.

Everyone was dying. It was fucking hell. And it was his fault.

All of it.

He tried to stop the tears, knowing they were clouding his vision, but he couldn't. His self-loathing was boiling over and he didn't know how else to process it. People had died for him.

People who were equally-if not more-qualified to live.

And they were probably just teenagers. Some were only kids.

The guilt took over and he felt himself falling against the wall, the weight of it pushing him to the ground.

Dead.

People were dead.

People were dead because of him.

"Chan?!! Is that Bang Chan!? CHAN! Hold on! We're coming to help!"

"Who is that on his back?? Do you think it's one of his members?"

"I don't know, he looks like he's not in good shape."

"What if he's infected??"

"I don't think he would carry him that far if he were infected already."

"Chan!! Oh fuck-he's losing his grip! Come on, we need to get over there!"

"Chan! Stay with us! We're coming! Just hold on a little longer!"

Chan couldn't tell where the voices were coming from or who they belonged to, but he felt a bit of hope flooding his system.

Minho would be okay.

If they could get him to safety, he would be able to help one person.

Save at least one life.

After all, that was all he ever wanted.