Jimin can't believe this. He sits on the sofa, sighs and runs both of his hands through his silver dyed hair. In front of him, the radio on the table continues to crackle static in the silence.

It's hard to describe what happened after the announcement. The initial decision to change and clean up is gone. Now everyone sits in the living room quietly, all exuding the same thought— what now?

Jimin glances around. Both Jungkook and Namjoon sit across him on the ground. They both only have their white undershirts but there's now dried blood on their faces and bare arms. Now to mention that Jungkook's uniform is just shredded cloth now.

Taehyung sits on the floor next to Jimin's feet. He leans on his thigh and stares at the ground in a daze.

"You feeling okay, Tae?," Jimin asks as he ruffles Taehyung's fluffy hair.

When Jimin doesn't get a reply for a few seconds, he frowns. He gently pokes Taehyung's cheek with a finger.

"Tae?"

"Hm?," Taehyung glances up and smiles.

Jimin is silent for a bit. His eyebrows furrow. "What's wrong?"

Taehyung stares at Jimin for a moment with an odd gaze. His next reply comes with a flat tone. "Nothing's wrong."

No words can describe how much worry Jimin is currently feeling for Taehyung. But he knows he won't be able to get more out of him and continues to stroke his hair instead.

So Jimin checks on the others. Next to him on the couch sits Hoseok, who is frantically typing away on his phone. He's the only one in their group without much trace of blood on him, which is admittedly quite odd.

Beside Hoseok sit the Min twins. Yoongi looks tense with how he positions himself close to his sister whilst Yoonji just stares at the flame of her lighter as she constantly flickers it on.

"Seriously, this silence will kill me quicker than this stench."

Seokjin walks into the living room rather noisily. Everyone turns to look at him. There's a towel draped over his bare shoulders and he has nothing but his still bloody pants on.

Usually in a situation like this, either Yoongi or Yoonji would scream something in the lines of— Put on some clothes, dumbass! Instead, they both just stare at him blankly.

The one who actually speaks is Jungkook. "I can't believe you just took a shower."

"Hey, don't blame me for wanting to be clean," Seokjin rolls his eyes and leans on the doorway. "Besides, what else am I supposed to do here?"

"He has a point," Yoonji finally speaks with a hoarse voice.

Yoongi quickly glances at her. "You could take a shower too."

"Don't feel like it," Yoonji grumbles and sinks back into her seat.

Another long silence comes shortly after Yoongi's words. Jimin continues to stroke Taehyung's hair.

"May I ask why the hell you're half naked though?," Hoseok asks suddenly with a shrill tone.

Seokjin shoots Hoseok a look of confusion. He then looks down at himself and chokes on his own saliva.

"Oh, right, uh," Seokjin rubs his nape. "None of the shirts fit."

"Not even dad's?," Yoonji asks silently.

Seokjin shakes his head. Yoongi spurts into laughter. "Thank your fucking shoulders for that."

Laughter breaks out from within the team. Jimin glances at Taehyung and is glad to see him laughing along as well.

"Okay but seriously," Seokjin spreads the towel to cover his bare chest. "The fuck are we supposed to do now?"

"What about contacting our fa— friends first?," Namjoon suggests. "Just to check on them?"

"Been trying that for a while now," Hoseok waves his phone in the air. "Can't reach any of them."

"Sorry for the crappy signal," Yoongi says softly.

"Not the signal," Hoseok grunts. "None of them will pick up."

Hoseok then puts his head in his hands. Surprisingly enough, Taehyung speaks up to comfort him, something about them maybe taking shelter somewhere. Then everyone tries ringing their loved ones as well with not much luck.

Jimin doesn't hear anything after that— he's too distracted by the idea of his family turning into zombies like the Mins.

"Oh shit, oh fuck," Jimin panics. "Jihyun, mom, dad— God, what if they pick up and all I hear are those damn growls?!"

"Jimin, you should calm down."

"I can't calm down!," Jimin inhales sharply. "Holy shit, I left Jihyun in school. And my parents are all the way in Busan. What if they're dead or—"

"Ours are already are— Fuck this, I'm done sulking."

Jimin is surprised when Yoonji starts to speak seriously. Even Yoongi looks stunned when she suddenly gets up and rubs her slightly bloodied hands together.

"We've already fought four zombies," Yoonji pauses and exhales loudly. "Going out there means possibly being eaten. Staying down here means dying of starvation. What other fucking choice do we have?"

Yoongi stands and puts a hand on Yoonji's shoulder. She lights another cig and inhales deeply. Jimin notices Seokjin scrunch his nose.

"Unlike you lot, our parents are dead on the floor," Yoonji puffs out a thick layer of smoke. "And if there is even a slight chance that anyone you care about is alive, we better make fucking sure to get them."

Yoongi gently wraps an arm around Yoonji. Although it's silent, Jimin can tell that the tension in the air isn't as thick. He sighs loudly and pulls out his phone. Everyone stares at him as he dials a number and lets his phone ring in loud speaker.

Just as the guilt and anxiety starts to crawl in Jimin's bones, he hears the someone pick up the call from the other side. He's so stunned that he doesn't respond to the familiar voice on the other side for a while.

"Jihyun?!," Jimin screams and springs to his feet. "Oh thank God, you're okay."

Jihyun makes a shush sound from the other side. "Please keep quiet, Jimin."

With wide eyes, Jimin slowly glances at the others. They all give him wary looks.

"What do you mean?," Jimin whispers into the call. "Where are you?"

"School," Jihyun pauses then there's a shuffle. "I don't know why you aren't here but thank goodness you weren't. There was a massacre."

Everyone gasps. There's a pause as Jimin feels goosebumps rise on his skin. He thinks about his initial plan of letting the others ditch class without him and shivers.

"A massacre?," Jimin asks in shock.

"It was so sudden, God," Jihyun's voice trembles. "We were in class when our teacher just collapsed. In the midst of the panic, he suddenly got up and attacked us."

"Oh my God," Jungkook breathes into his hand.

Jimin runs a hand through his hair. "Did you get out safely? Please tell me you aren't hurt."

"I'm fine, don't worry about me," Jihyun exhales loudly. "Ami and I got out somehow."

Yoonji suddenly runs and collides into Jimin's back. He yelps a bit in shock as she leans down to his phone's screen.

"Ami?!," Yoonji screams suddenly. "Did you say Ami?! Kim Ami?!"

There's a silence from the other line that makes Jimin's heart thump in anxiousness. He hears faint whispers and slight shuffling. There's a thump then a gasp.

Suddenly, there's a female voice on the phone. "Hello? Yoonji?"

"Ami!," Yoonji smiles in relief. "You're alive, holy shit."

"Course I am, don't expect me to go down that easily," Ami laughs. "But we're not doing so good either."

As a look of dread forms on Yoonji's face, Jimin answers instead. "What do you mean? Are you still in campus?"

Ami goes silent for a while. There's another loud thunk, this time it sounds like something against metal. Then there's that horrible growling noise again.

Jimin starts to panic. "Where the hell are you guys?!"

"Second floor bathroom," Jihyun breathes. "We're here with a few others. God, we can hear those things outside."

Again, Jimin feels his heart hammer against his ribcage. He glances at Yoonji, who looks just as worried as he is. Everyone else stares at him anxiously.

Despite all the gazes plus his own fear, Jimin speaks absentmindedly. "We're coming to get you."

"What did you just say?," Seokjin's eyes widen.

"Wait, what?," Jihyun says. "Jimin, you can't!"

"Don't tell me that I can't!," Jimin screams into the phone. "You're my little brother! Like hell am I going to leave you there!"

"You don't understand," Jihyun hisses through a whisper. "The whole school is filled with these things, zombies, whatever they should be called. If you get in, you die."

"So what?!," Jimin's hand shakes as he shouts. "I have no idea if our parents in Busan are safe or not. With all these damn zombies around, having you by my side, alive, is the only fucking thing that can keep me sane! You got that?! I am coming to get you whether you like it or not!"

For a moment, Jimin only hears breathing on the other end. He inhales deeply and feels himself calm down.

"Sorry for shouting," Jimin speaks softly.

"It's okay, I get you," Jihyun replies. "You weren't loud enough to attract any of the zombs anyways."

"Fuck, I can't believe I forgot," Jimin snaps. "Are you sure I didn't attract any of them?"

There's the sound of shoving then Ami's voice comes instead. "We're fine, it's all clear. If you don't mind me asking, how exactly are you going to come get us?"

Jimin sucks in a breath. He continues to shake as he glances around. Even Namjoon, who is always the most composed, doesn't look sure about anything at all.

So Jimin concludes this decision is all up to him. He slowly brings his phone back to his ear.

"I'll figure it out," Jimin says sternly. "I'll get you. I promise. Make sure to stay put with Ami and the others."

Again, there's silence. Then Jihyun exhales loudly on the other end. "Okay. Just... be careful. Please."

"Of course," Jimin nods. "See you then."

The call ends with a small buzz and Jimin is met with intense gazes. He pockets his phone and sighs as he runs his hand through his hair once again.

"Sorry about that," Jimin frowns. "I should have at least asked for everyone's consent."

"It's fine," Namjoon smiles. "I'm sure we all get where you're coming from."

"No," Jimin shakes his head. "I should have let you guys check on your families first."

"Jimin, it's okay."

Taehyung stands from his position in front of the couch. He walks towards Jimin with some kind of blank grin and he notes that he's still wearing his bloody clothes.

"I'm willing to help you get Jihyun, even if it means smashing some heads open," Taehyung smiles. "I'm sure we all feel the same."

"Besides," Hoseok chirps. "We'll keep trying to contact them while we're preparing! Just have to keep trying."

Despite the slightly ominous words, Jimin smiles back. "Thank you."

"Not sorry to interrupt but how exactly are we going to defend ourselves from these zombies?," Seokjin asks, still half-naked. "We don't have any weapons."

"We'll start by making you put on a damn shirt first."

"It's not my fault that I've got these broad ass boards."

"You did not just call your own shoulders boards."

"Just fucking kiss already," Yoonji jokes with now half length cig balanced between her lips.

Everyone erupts into loud laughter at that with the exception of Seokjin, who just puffs his cheeks and crosses his arms over his chest. Jimin is glad to know that the tension is long gone.

"Okay, but seriously," Yoonji balls her fists and raises them next to her face. "These are weapons."

"Only if they took boxing lessons like Jimin did, Yoonji," Yoongi says with a laugh as he lights up her cig.

"Thanks," Yoonji says and exhales smoke. "Swinging fists isn't rocket science, you know? Didn't you see Jimin? That was hype as hell."

Jimin purses his lips at the memory. "But won't fist fights be dangerous against zombies? What if they bite your hand or something?"

"Guys, guys, hold on a second."

Namjoon finally steps forward. He positions himself to the center of the room as everyone stares at him curiously. Jimin studies him for a moment and notices that his hands are shaking as well.

"Before anything, we have to think of a plan first."

"Sorry," Jungkook grumbles for some reason. Jimin giggles.

His words make Namjoon crack a small smile. "First of all, we have to gather all we know about these zombies. We don't know if they can smell us or see us— but my theory is that they rely heavily on their hearing."

"I think I can agree with that," Yoongi raises his hand. "When I checked on our parents, dad didn't react to seeing me."

"Can confirm," Seokjin chirps.

Yoongi gives him a look. "Dad only came out after Yoonji slammed the door open."

Truthfully, Jimin kind of expects Yoonji to say some forced apology. Still, when she presses the cig to her mouth and puffs out some smoke rings, he isn't surprised.

Namjoon clears his throat and continues. "So far, our method of killing of them is by stabbing their heads."

"Actually!," Jungkook chirps and finger combs his long brown hair. "I killed that zombie in Taehyung's house by stepping on it's head."

Much against Jimin and everyone else's will, Jungkook lifts his foot. There are bits of bone and brain slush stuck to sole of his shoe. It's cakes with mixtures of dirt and dried blood. Hoseok gags and looks away.

Seokjin covers his own mouth. "Get that out of my fucking sight before I puke all over the floor."

Jungkook smirks and puts his foot down. His step makes a disgusting slush sound.

With the effort to get the image out of his head, Jimin remembers the woman zombie instead. He looks down at his fists. There are still faint splotches of dry blood on his knuckles.

Taehyung glances from behind Jimin's shoulder. He stares at the other's hands for a moment. "So all we need to do is destroy their brains."

There's a look of surprise on Namjoon's face as he smiles at Taehyung. "Yes, exactly. That's the pattern I saw too."

"So we're going to need long weapons?," Hoseok pauses and blinks. "Oh wait, I meant long ranged?"

"Spot on, Seok," Namjoon snaps his fingers. "I was thinking weapons like baseball bats, crowbars and hammers. You got any of those down here, Yoongi?"

Yoongi goes silent as his eyes glance up to the right. "Crowbars and hammers, yes. Baseball bat—"

"Have one," Yoonji shrugs when Yoongi gives her a surprised look. "What? It's called style."

After the short gathering, the twins scatter around to look for said weapons. It only takes a minute or two until they come back. Yoongi tosses blue a shirt snipped at the shoulders towards Seokjin.

Yoonji walks in with a weapon then chucks something metal at Jimin, who is surprised by the lightness when he catches it. He then realizes that he's holding a pair of freshly polished brass knuckles.

"You punch like a fuckin' beast and I respect that," Yoonji smirks. "But if you lose even one of them, I'll kill you. They're my mom's."

Jimin nods as he slips them on. "I'll take care of them."

"You better," Yoonji spins the baseball bat and casually catches it with one hand.

Jimin stares. Contrary to the plain wooden bat he usually sees when the baseball club practices, this one is made of metal and is dyed to have a raven night shade. Spikes stick out of its curved tip and run down to half of its body. On the center is a spray painted text that says— Punk Chic.

"Nice bat," Jungkook says a bit awkwardly as he passes by. Yoonji ignores him.

In the end, Seokjin with his shoulder snipped shirt gets the crowbar. It's rusty and has definitely seen better days. He frowns after he sniffs it.

"Why the fuck would you sniff a crowbar?"

"Yoongi, you better shut up before I smack the shit out of you with this smelly thing."

Yoongi passes Namjoon a brand new butcher knife, similar to the one he has in his own hands, from their kitchen. He stares at it for a while, as if studying it.

What worries Jimin the most is that Taehyung somehow is given the hammer. Of course, he's completely against it, but Taehyung argues that he'd rather have a weapon and not use it than run into a horde of zombies unarmed.

Point taken. Jimin doesn't protest further. But then there's another predicament— Hoseok and Jungkook don't have any weapons.

"Wait," Seokjin says and points at the unarmed duo. "Are you both stupid? Going out there without anything is suicide!"

"Relax! I have these," Hoseok shouts from the couch and casually lifts up his leg.

Only then does Jimin notice the boots Hoseok on that definitely aren't his. They're thick and black with straps riding up his ankles. Spikes stick out under the soles and there's a white skull pattern at both sides.

"You lent him your boots?," Yoonji scoffs in disbelief. "You never let me wear that pair."

"That's 'cos you look like a clown with those on."

"Just because they're big on me doesn't mean it doesn't look cool as hell!"

"Fine, the footballer insisted," Yoongi shrugs. "Besides, it's for his survival."

Yoonji huffs and looks away. At that moment, she makes eye contact with Jungkook. "And what about you?"

"Me?," Jungkook blinks and points at himself.

"Yeah you, long haired ass," Yoonji hisses with a small smirk. "What's your weapon?"

"Oh," Jungkook shakes his hand and lets out a bunny grin. "No need. I'm the runner."

"The what now?"

"The runner," Jungkook repeats. "You know, the guy in the movies who distracts the horde by going into supersonic—"

Jungkook jumps when there's a sudden loud bang that echoes throughout the house. Hoseok actually yelps out loud.

"What was that?," Taehyung whispers behind Jimin.

Everyone almost immediately glances at Namjoon in a silent cry for laugh. He shakes his head and chuckles under his breath.

"Okay, I'll go and—," Bang. Namjoon ducks by instinct. "I'll check it out. Mind coming with me, Minie?"

Jimim is honestly hesitant but can't bring himself to refuse. "Okay. Tae, stay here."

After a short pause, Taehyung puts on an obviously forced boxy smile. He taps Jimin's shoulder and backs away slowly, his gaze still glued to him.

Jimin finds it hard to look away until Namjoon calls his name again. He turns around and tightly grips the brass knuckles placed in between his fingers.

Once in the hallway, Jimin glances behind him. He stares at the dark corridor and thinks about how Mr. and Mrs. Min's bodies are stacked at the very end. Just the thought of it gives him shivers.

"Namjoon," Jimin calls as he turns to the door. "Why'd you bring me with you?"

A dimpled smile crosses Namjoon's face as he glances back. "I agree with Yoonji. You punch like a beast."

Jimin puffs his cheeks at his words. Before he can consider whether he just received a compliment or not, there's another loud bang from the door. He yelps when Namjoon pulls him behind him.

"Stay behind me and ready your fists," Namjoon orders and holds out his knife.

Not really thinking of refusing, Jimin does as told and raises his trembling fists behind Namjoon's tall figure. They both walk slowly towards the door.

Bang. One step. Bang. Two steps. Bang. A few hurried steps. Bang. Namjoon's hand is on the doorknob.

Before Jimin can even breathe, Namjoon swings it open. Standing literally an inch away from them is a zombie. Part of its jaw hangs barely on its face with a tiny string of rotting flesh. Its shattered teeth are pointed and sharp.

The zombie stares right at them with its glassy white eyes. Jimin flinches and raises his hands but Namjoon shakes his head. He watches with wide eyes as Namjoon waves the knife in front of the zombie's face.

No reaction.

That icky black drool drips right in front of Jimin's shoe. It starts to slowly walk closer. He almost comments when Namjoon stabs the thing in the head without warning. Thankfully, he closes his mouth quickly enough before he could swallow any of its blood when it splashes on his face.

As the zombie falls to the ground, Jimin wipes the blood with his sleeve and sticks out his tongue. "Namjoon, a little warning next time?!"

Namjoon shushes Jimin suddenly by clamping a hand over his lips. He then gestures towards the open door— and only then does Jimin notice the horde outside.

Zombies limp across the street, all missing random body parts with bones sticking out of some areas. They groan and snap their teeth as they bump into each other. Jimin can barely see the cars parked just across the Mins' house through the horde.

With that, Namjoon kicks the zombie's body away and quietly closes the door. He and Jimin glance at each other silently.

Once they return to the others, Jungkook automatically notices their pale faces. "What did you guys see?"

"The banging was a stray zombie walking blindly to the door," Namjoon explains. "But outside..."

"There's a fucking horde," Jimin grumbles and puts his face in his hands. "You can't even see our cars anymore."

Contrary to the silence Jimin expects, Jungkook speaks instead. "So I really have to be the runner then."

"You're too enthusiastic," Taehyung says with a low voice. "Jimin did say there's a horde."

"Relax, Tae," Jungkook thumps his own chest. "I'm one of the fastest runners in school. There's no way any of those walking dead can catch up with me."

"So you're going to use yourself as bait?," Yoonji raises a brow. "Really fuckin' bold, Jeon."

"Wait, I don't think we have to?"

Jimin gulps when he feels all eyes shift towards him. He feels something swirl in his gut anxiously.

"Uh," Jimin fiddles with his fingers. "I was just thinking, when Joon and I opened the door the zombie acted like we weren't there."

Namjoon nods. "We can confirm that they rely heavily on hearing."

"If we're quiet enough," Jimin continues. "I think we can sneak through the horde and get to our cars safely."

"Sounds like a good plan from our two honor students," Taehyung says with a playful wink.

Although Namjoon looks proud of myself, Jimin's cheeks turn rosy red. Hoseok laughs at him.

"Good, good, that means no running," Seokjin hands Jungkook a knife and narrows his eyes. "Got that?"

There's a strange look on Jungkook's face as he takes the knife. "Okay, okay, but I will do it if we need it."

"We won't," Namjoon announces. "I'll make sure of that."

"Uhm, before we go," Yoongi clears. "Yoonji and I want to ask for a favor."

The Mins explain their desire to properly bury their parents in their backyard before leaving. Jimin, Namjoon and Hoseok were the trio initially chosen to bury their bodies— mainly because Seokjin is already paling because of the smell and Yoonji doesn't even want to get in their vicinity.

Taehyung, even after he suggests helping out with a very fake boxy smile, stays behind under Jimin's orders. But then Yoongi insists he should help and before anyone can protest, he's already holding a shovel.

So Jimin keeps his eyes on Yoongi the entire time. His blank expression whilst carrying his mother's guts is terrifying. Even after they put all the remaining pieces of his parents in separate trash bags, his face doesn't twitch.

"Yoongi, are you sure you're okay with—"

"Shut up and dig," Yoongi snaps.

Hoseok purses his lips and continues to dig with Namjoon silently doing the same next to him. Jimin clutches the trash bag in his hands and continues to stare at Yoongi.

When it's done, Hoseok fetches the others. Yoonji makes some grave marks with pebbles and branches from the little plants in their backyard. She ties tattered cloth at the tips of the wood.

The group forms a circle around the graves. Jimin glances around. Apart from the twins, everyone has their eyes closed and their hands clasped together in silent prayer. Yoonji and Yoongi stand next to each other silently whilst holding hands.

Jimin can tell that silence is suffocating everyone so he speaks. "Yoongi, Yoonji—"

"Don't say anything," Yoongi hisses. "Or I'm going to fucking cry."

After a short silence, Seokjin steps closer to the twins. He slowly lowers the hand covering his nose and gently grabs Yoongi's shoulder.

"Nothing wrong with crying," Seokjin smiles. "They were your parents."

Yoongi bites his lip and turns away. He glances at Yoonji, who still has that spiked bat in her hand. Jimin notices that she's shaking.

"This is fucking messed up," Yoonji grits her teeth. "Mom and Dad didn't deserve this. If only I was here to protect them—"

Yoonji cups her face in her hands and leans on Yoongi. Her brother slowly lifts his hand and gently strokes her head.

"I miss them, Yoongi," Yoonji mumbles into her hands. "I miss mom and dad."

Yoongi purses his lips and presses his head on top of Yoonji's. He sniffles and Jimin sees a tear trickle down his face.

"Yeah," Yoongi whispers. "I do, too."

There's crunching against the grass as Seokjin moves to stand behind the twins. He wraps both of them in a tight hug and presses his chin between the crowns of their heads. Yoongi sobs loudly.

Taehyung, who is nearest, goes to Yoonji's side and joins the hug. He's crying too. One by one, they all start to approach the twins until the whole group is in one giant hug around them.

At this point, both Yoongi and Yoonji are sobbing hard. For some reason, Hoseok's wails are louder. Jimin would giggle if he wasn't in tears as well.

Truthfully, the idea of comforting the sobbing Min twins whilst standing in front of their parents' graves is something that never crossed Jimin's mind— yet here they are now.

It's telling of how different the world is now, at how death is closer than they think. Jimin decides, at that moment, that he'd do anything to keep everyone in this hug safe.

Even if it means risking his own life.

—

A/N — short angsty chap because the next one is a lot longer and full of action and blood :)