The group of five travelled as quietly as possible, glad that they had waited for night time. They passed a few confused zombies in the darkness, and each was too blind to notice. For safety, each member covered their mouths, preventing their shaky breathing from getting them all killed.

The south control room was located at the far end of the hall, beyond the stage, directly in line with the north control room on a map. They hoped that by reaching the south control room they would be able to make contact with the others and figure out the plan for getting out.

Of course, this was dependent on the others having found their way to the north control room.

As much as they wanted to believe it, they had to consider the possibility that they never made it.

And if that was the case, then everyone would be depending on their group to get help.

But they couldn't think about that until the time came. For now, they needed to assume the best. That once they got there, they would use the building comm system to reach Hongjoong and Seonghwa and everyone would be okay.

It was the only thing keeping them going.

By the time they had almost reached the end of the hallway, they could tell the room was not empty. Shapes moved back and forth within the room, followed by sharp grunts and snarls.

Not wanting to push their luck, the group decided to step into the nearest clear room for the time being and shut the door as quietly as possible.

After waiting a moment to make sure none of the zombies had been alerted, the group settled down, sitting on the floor in a circle.

"So far we've gotten lucky. But we're going to need a plan for getting rid of the stragglers in the control room," Jongho said quietly and the group nodded.

"If Mingi and I enter first, we can take whoever comes running right for us while the rest of you go around," Yunho whispered, daring a glance at Mingi.

"Wait—we'll be the first line of defense??" Mingi asked in panic.

"It's okay—the first ones will be easiest because they'll be startled. The others will take the harder ones that have time to turn and fight."

Mingi didn't seem entirely reassured but he nodded with a serious expression.

"Okay."

Yunho reached forward and grabbed his hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

"You can do this, Mingi."

Mingi stared back at him and gave a small smile.

"Woo and I will go right, Jongho will take the left," San added and Jongho shook his head.

"I already looked into the room so I know you're giving me the side with less space to cover. I can't accept that," Jongho said sternly.

"Too bad. I'm your hyung," San quipped, sticking his tongue out and shaking his head.

Jongho couldn't help but smile a little, causing everyone else to smile. Every time the maknae lit up, they couldn't help but follow suit—being as cute as he was.

"Okay. Fine. But I'm going to help you finish up when I'm done on my end."

"If you finish first," Wooyoung said with a raised eyebrow.

"When," Jongho grinned smugly.

Yunho dared a glance into the hallway and decided it was still strangely clear. At least that meant that group two would have it easy following after them.

After gathering their weapons and lining up by the door, they finally eased their way back into the hallway. Slowly, they passed the zombies circling the closed door, drawn to it by the constant noise inside.

Jongho didn't like that the door wasn't open.

It meant someone had to have turned and gone inside.

It was possible that they would be facing a group of staff or fans that had almost managed to escape. The thought of seeing a face he might recognize sent chills down his spine.

Yunho stepped ahead of the group with Mingi trailing directly behind. Jongho gripped his umbrella as he lined up on his left flank. Wooyoung and San paused to hold each other's free hand, making quick eye contact before walking up along the other side.

With a deep breath, Yunho reached for the doorknob. And with a quick twist, he threw it open.

The two in front charged immediately, swinging for the group of zombies who stood in confusion by the door. Once they'd pushed them far enough back, the other three entered, shutting the door behind them.

Jongho rushed past Yunho towards the first zombie he saw, bringing his umbrella back and smashing it into the zombie's face before he got a chance to look at it. He didn't want to know who it was.

Whoever it was, it wasn't them anymore.

San and Wooyoung slid past Mingi, moving to the open portion of the control room, circled by zombies. They stood back to back, both holding their weapons at the ready.

After a few more strikes, Mingi and Yunho had taken out their targets and they moved to hold the door, realizing the few zombies outside were putting up more of a fight than they'd expected.

The circle of zombies began to center in on San and Wooyoung, starting their attack. As they came, the two struck down each one by jabbing it somewhere near the head. A powerful enough stab with a screwdriver could go right though the temple, causing the zombie to drop to the floor.

An even sharper stab of an umbrella head could go right through the snarling mouth to the brain, as Jongho discovered when attacking a zombie who'd crawled out from under a desk.

After a few more swings from the three fighters, they had succeeded in taking command of the control room. Wooyoung bent over, breathing hard as San approached from behind, sinking into an embrace. Mingi and Yunho high-fived. Jongho leaned back against the ammunition closet, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.

"I-Is someone there?"

Jongho nearly jumped away from the door, turning back in alarm, his umbrella pointed sharply, blood dripping from the end of it.

"What? Is there another one in there?" Mingi asked, noticing Jongho's change in demeanour.

"I don't know. I heard a voice."

"It could be a survivor! Don't do anything, let me come talk to them," San insisted, pulling away from Wooyoung and standing alongside Jongho.

He put his hand on Jongho's arm, lowering it. He turned back to the door.

"Hello?"

"Yes! Hi! I've been hiding in here ever since the others turned! Are–are they all dead?"

San took a second glance over the room before confirming.

"Yeah. We took them all out."

The girl inside seemed so pleased she started crying.

"I was so scared..." she managed through her tears and San felt his heart tighten in his chest.

"Come on out, there's no need to be afraid anymore."

He and Jongho stepped back to give her room. Jongho moved to put himself ahead of San, just in case, but San stood his ground.

As the door opened, the saw a teenage girl poke her head out, eyes rimmed with tears. But they quickly widened and she put a hand over her mouth.

"OH MY GOD!" she screamed suddenly, gripping the door handle to stay on her feet.

"What? What?! Do you see another one??" Yunho asked, looking around.

"NO! No! I just–oh my god–I didn't know–you're–Ateez," she squeaked, her face a bright red.

Jongho sighed, leaning back against the table to his side. The members collectively smiled in embarrassment and bowed.

"Sorry for startling you," San said awkwardly.

"No, no, no! Don't apologize! I'm just–oh my god, this is the worst way this could've happened," she groaned and San laughed brightly.

"Can I ask your name?" he smiled, turning his head slightly.

"K-Kyungsoon," she said shyly, still somewhat hidden behind the door.

"Kyungsoon. That's a pretty name. How long have you been hiding in there?" San asked.

"I-I honestly don't know. We ran from the auditorium but once we got in here, one of the people turned and I just panicked. None of them saw me hide so...I've been alone in here ever since."

San nodded, listening intently.

"Before you turned, did you get a chance to figure out any of the controls for this room?" Jongho asked, moving forward.

Kyungsoon's cheeks brightened at the sight of him.

"Ch-Choi Jongho," she stuttered.

"That's my name."

"Sorry–it's just–you're my bias," she squeaked in embarrassment.

Jongho's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Me?"

She stared at him.

"Yes," she squeaked.

He couldn't help but smile a bit at her awkwardness, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well, I'm very flattered. But you didn't answer my question."

She nodded rapidly.

"Sorry. Um–I know there was someone who found a way to shut the door to the lobby. That was how we cut down on the number of zombies headed this way. And I know they spoke with someone from the north control room–"

"How long ago?" Yunho asked, stepping forward.

"Um–I don't know. Maybe a day or so? I don't know, I'm sorry."

Yunho walked back over to Mingi.

"So it probably wasn't Seonghwa and Hongjoong."

The others nodded.

"Seonghwa? Hongjoong? Are they okay?" Kyungsoon asked meekly, her eyes wide in concern.

"We don't know yet. That's who we're trying to reach," Wooyoung said, walking over to the command board to try to take a look.

"We split up and they went to the North Control room. They were supposed to get there before us so we had hoped they would reach out first. But it's possible they haven't figured out the comm system either," San explained, motioning for Kyungsoon to step out of the closet. She did, but hesitantly.

"Do you think if we showed you the command board you could show us what buttons he pressed?" San asked softly.

She looked over at it, her eyes nervous.

"I don't know...I think I remember. I just don't want to press the wrong buttons."

"That's okay, why don't you show us what you do know?" San offered a hand but she very gratefully refused, feeling that he was being too kind.

They made their way over to the command board and the members circled around her. They realized that she couldn't have been taller than 5 feet, as Mingi and Yunho towered over her from the side. She looked down at the buttons, her fingers shaking.

"I-I think I remember! He pressed this one," she said, reaching for one of the buttons on the command board.

Wooyoung grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"Are you sure?"

His eyes glared into her with such intensity that she couldn't answer.

"Woo, just let her press it," San snapped, eyes angry.

"I-It might not have been this one–he also pressed th-this one," she stammered, moving her hand across the board to another switch.

"Well, which one was it??" Wooyoung asked.

"Wooyoung, calm down. She's clearly nervous," Jongho warned, stepping closer to Kyungsoon.

"I-I don't know."

"Why don't we just pick one and go with it?" Mingi asked, trying to diffuse the situation.

"If we don't hear anyone on the other end, we'll know it's the other one," Yunho added.

"What if it does something else?" Wooyoung asked.

"Then it's not her fault. It's better odds than we'd have on dumb luck," San said, approaching Wooyoung.

"Why are you being like this?" San whispered, pulling him aside.

"I just don't want to run any risks! Is that such a bad thing?"

"This is less risky than if we had to approach this board with no knowledge."

"But she should know! She saw him do it!"

"During a zombie apocalypse! Come on, Woo, give her a break. Everyone that she came here with is lying on the floor right now. I think she feels guilty enough."

Wooyoung looked down at his feet.

"Fine. Press whichever one you think it is," he said loudly and Kyungsoon stared down at the board.

Her finger hovered over it, shaking with fear.

"It's okay. If you pick the wrong one we'll just undo whatever it does right away," Mingi smiled.

She nodded and decided to pick the second button.

And that's when a loud rumble filled the hallway.