Jeno sighed as he threw his bat to the ground, trying to wipe the blood off his face only to smear it more. He stepped over the rotting, now beaten bodies, running a sticky hand through his once fluffy hair.

"Jeno! Get your hand out of your hair!" Renjun scolded as he ran over, brushing the youngers bloody hands away and using his own clean ones to fix Jeno's ruffled hair. The younger sighed.

"Injun, I don't think that matters very much.." Jeno huffed as he grabbed the youngers arm and lowered it down. "Where are the other two and how are they?" Renjun sighed as he picked up the bat Jeno had dropped and began to walk out of the office.

"They're back at the old bowling alley. Last they told me they were deciding whether to graffiti the wall or write on a paper cup.." Renjun answered. Jeno laughed a little as he followed Renjun, occasionally leaning down to check one of the dead zombies for any sort of materials.

"Were the waves really that bad?" Jeno asked suddenly. Their plan was that Jeno would get into the office and deliver the message while Renjun fought off the waves. Chenle and Jisung were ordered that if no one returned after four hours then they were to leave. However, it wasn't exactly going to plan. The waves had somehow gotten past Renjun and to the door and now they only had an hour and a half before the two youngest would assume them dead.

"Yeah.. I think they're getting stronger Jeno." Renjun answered as they came to the door of the building, opening it and walking out onto the barren street. Jeno sighed and nodded, beginning the trek across the street to the bowling alley. Renjun handed him a high-quality cotton mask and he put it on. It wasn't their strongest, but they liked to save their oxygen tanks and their gas masks for longer journeys.

They made it to the bowling alley quickly, unlocking the metal door frame. The windows had been long since broken, the glass on the door shattered to pieces until all that remained was a rectangular frame of metal with a bar running through the middle. Crawlers could get in if they wanted but it was more difficult for walkers and shredders to enter.

They walked in, stepping over the broken glass and scattered rocks as they entered the large empty space. As they entered they could see two boys sitting on one of the bar counters. The shorter of the two sipped something out of a bottle and handed it back to the taller who drank a bit himself.

"Hey! Ji, Lele! What did Injun say about random bottles?" Suddenly the shorter of the two looked over, hopping off the counter and running over.

"Jeno!" He yelled as he threw himself into Jeno's arms. The older chuckled and hugged him back.

"Yes Chenle. We're back." Jeno responded, answering the question that the gremlin seemed to ask everytime and hugging Chenle back who didn't seem to mind his blood covered arms. "Now, what did we say about random bottles?" Chenle groaned into Jeno's shirt.

"Its not even a random bottle." The other boy spoke up, hopping off the counter as he took another drink. "It's labeled. We found it in the cooler." Renjun snatched the bottle from the boys hand, earning a whine in protest. The oldest then proceeded to drink from the bottle.

"Regardless, it's alcohol and it's bad enough that you're addicted to cigarettes Jisung."

"And who's fault is that?" Jisung grumbled. Renjun looked at Jisung with a blank face.

"Jeno's."

"Hey!" Jeno whined. "Its really not my fault! He stole one from my pack!" Chenle rolled his eyes, pulling away from Jeno.

"You shouldn't even be smoking! Its bad for you and it's just one more thing that we have to gather when we're scavenging." Chenle said. Renjun nodded at the youngers words as he sat in one of the plastic chairs that was still bolted to the ground. He took another swig from the bottle before offering it to Jeno.

"Chenle's right. That's why I quit." Jeno took the bottle eagerly. It was still mostly full when he got it and he gratefully chugged down a large amount in seconds.

"Slow down Jeno! You're gonna get a headache.." Jeno brought the bottle from his lips and glared at Jisung.

"Kid, when you've seen the shit I've seen, a headache is the least of your concerns." Jeno said to the youngest. "You're lucky that me and Renjun only let you deal with the weak ones." Renjun nodded.

"Hey!" Chenle exclaimed. "Me and Ji can handle it! You know we killed two crawlers while you guys were gone." Chenle bragged, earning a chuckle from Jeno.

"That's cute Chenle." Jeno said before lifting the bottle to his lips again, relishing in the sting of the liquor as it slid down his throat. He reached back and stuffed the now empty bottle it in the side pouch of his backpack before standing up. "Now, we should get going. The infection is gonna reach the outside neighborhoods soon and if we're fast we might be able to find some more people." The other three nodded, Jisung and Chenle running off to grab their bags while Renjun set up their gas masks.

Jeno grabbed a pack of cigarettes from his back pocket and took one out, getting out his matchbox as well. Renjun looked up from the masks he was preparing.

"Jen, you shouldn't light one now. We're about to leave and you'll just have to put it out. Its a waste" Jeno sat down on one of the chairs across Renjun and shrugged, lighting a match then the cigarette in his hand despite Renjun's warning.

He took a drag off the cigarette and visibly relaxed more as he exhaled the smoke, shutting his eyes and leaning his head back.

"Calms my nerves." Jeno answered simply. Renjun continued to mess with the masks, eventually putting one on before looking back up at Jeno. The younger black hair hung messily over his eyes and it made the smaller wonder when the last time had been he had seen Jeno willingly get a haircut. Even before the apocalypse, the boy had never seemed to have any desire to cut it, seemingly content to keep his hair long.

Renjun wouldn't lie that it looked hot on him, but that wasn't what he was trying to focus on right now.

"Don't use it all. Let Jisung have a couple drags too when he gets back. Then let me know so I can put your mask on." Jeno stayed silent at the instructions and the elder let out a sigh, standing from his seat. "I'm gonna go help them with their stuff and put Chenle's mask on for him. Don't hang around too long out here alone, come to the office room when you're done." He said as he began heading in the direction that Jisung and Chenle had run. "Remember that shredders will smell all that blood from miles away. Find a way to get rid of it." The older called over his shoulder before disappearing completely into one of the rooms.

"You worry too much Injun.." He mumbled as he exhaled, letting the smoke cloud the air in front of him. He finally stood up, looking around the large room as he took another drag. A little ways off was a water fountain. Maybe he could wash off the scent that way.

He took out his gun and put the cigarette between his lips before sliding his backpack off his shoulders and removing his shirt, holding the bloodied fabric in his hand and approaching the water fountain. He used some of the debris from the ground to create a clog in the drain before filling the space with water. He put his shirt into the water and splashed some onto and up his arms, washing his arms, chest, face, and hands.

He didn't even stop as he heard footsteps, calmly loading his gun and pointing it in the direction of the noise before looking up.

"AH! DON'T SHOOT! PLEASE PLEASE DON'T SHOOT... Please..." Jeno furrowed his brows and kept the gun pointed at them as he washed the bloodied silver chain around his neck.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't." He said, looking the two boys up and down. They looked about his age, the slightly taller one standing in front of the shorter protectively. The boys eyes widened.

"What do you mean? We're human just like you." Jeno rolled his eyes, keeping the gun pointed at them.

"And how do I know you two aren't raiders." The one in front looked confused, tilting his head.

"Jeno! Wait!"

"Renjun, they could be raiders stay back." Renjun obeyed, standing behind Jeno with a frown as he shook his head.

"Jeno, they don't have any of the gear to be raiders. Lower your gun.." Jeno huffed and kept the gun aimed.

"They could be hiding it."

"Jeno, killing them will only bring fresh blood and then the shredders will really find us and.. You aren't in any condition to fight a pack of those." Renjun said the last part in a whisper so that the new comers didn't hear. Jeno lowered his gun with a sigh, turning back to his makeshift sink and taking out his shirt, ringing it to get out as much bloody water as he could.

"Sorry about that.. I'm sure you can understand that we are all under some stress right now." Renjun said with a chuckle. The taller boy in front nodded.

"I-I'm Mark Lee and this is Lee Donghyuck." He gestured to the boy behind him and smiled a bit. "We just.. We don't know what's going on honestly and we've been looking for more people all day-"

"No." Jeno suddenly said firmly. Jisung and Chenle had finally walked over as well, observing the new comers carefully. Jeno handed Jisung the rest of his cigarette and turned to the new comers as he put his damp shirt on, shivering at the coldness. "We aren't welcoming any new comers. Get lost." Jeno said coldly before walking back to where his things were. He put his bag on and began to put the gas mask on his face.

"Jeno! Come on. There's no harm in letting them join. They need help-"

"Renjun, its every man for themselves out there. If it was one of them, maybe I would feel a little more empathy, but they're honestly lucky enough that they even have each other." Jeno said, his words a bit muffled as he secured his mask on his face. Renjun looked at him with a pleading gaze.

"Jeno, please just let them stay." Jeno looked at Chenle and Jisung, one was smoking while the other had cleaned Jeno's bat and was now hammering nails into it with a rock, then he looked at Renjun, his gaze pleading as he begged, and finally he looked at the new boys. Mark looked strong, he could probably put up a good fight if Jeno taught him how, although he would have to help him dye his hair to something other than the awful neon pink that it was. Maybe the ashy blue he had stashed away jokingly during a raid could finally come in handy. Meanwhile Haechan looked like he could help protect Jisung and Chenle. His sandy brown hair and soft appearance made him seem more like the crafty type than a fighter.

Jeno let out a sigh.

"Fine. You can st-" Jeno cut himself off as he heard a quiet noise coming from the door.

"Thank you. Thank you so-"

"Shh." Jeno hushed Mark who looked taken aback but did as told. Jeno continued to listen before walking quickly to Chenle, taking his bat and the cigarette from Jisung. He took one last drag before putting it out on the bowling alley wall.

"What is it Jen?" Renjun whispered. Jeno walked over to him and lifted his own mask, planting a gentle kiss on the olders forehead before leaning down to his ear.

"I hear shredders. Keep Jisung and Chenle inside and gear up Mark and Donghyuck. Send Mark out if you can." He whispered before bringing his mask back down. "I'll make this quick." He said, stepping away a bit only to be gently pulled back by Renjun.

"Be careful Jen. If its too much, come back inside and we'll run." Jeno nodded and Renjun watched with worry as Jeno stormed toward the door quietly, disappearing around the corner without another word.

He paused in the short hallway where the door was at the end, listening for more sounds of the shredders. He suddenly heard harsh breathing and watched as someone went running by, his footsteps loud and purposeful. Jeno crouched down and waited until finally he saw it.

Five of the dog like creatures that they called shredders ran after the boy, black fur matted with blood and the stench of rotting flesh being strong in the air. Jeno was grateful for the mask that blocked out most of the smell, but he knew that the person who was running could faint because of it.

That is, if the shredders didn't get to him first.

Jeno waited a couple seconds until they had passed before opening the
door and running out, firing bullets in the direction the creatures had run.

Two of the shredders fell to the ground, killed by his bullets while the other three continued pursuing their target. Jeno ran after them, sliding his gun and bag back through the bowling alley door and dashing after with his bat in hand.

He reached them quickly, hitting two of them as he ran, giving them injuries that made them whimper as they stopped pursuing the boy, and the last one leaped forward, tackling their target. Jeno ran forward, lifting his bat and bringing it back down with a harsh smack. He hit the shredder dead on the head before kicking it off the boy and continuously beating it until it was nothing more then a carcass of crushed, bloody bones.

He then turned as he heard a growl, realizing the two other ones from before had stood up and ran over. He hit one to the side with a swift swing as the other one tackled him. It grabbed onto his arm, ripping at the flesh with it's teeth and causing blood to splatter the ground beneath him. Jeno's breathing became heavy, but he didn't scream, knowing the noise would only draw more zombies towards them. He used all his strength to push the dog off of himself, ripping one of the loose nails from his bat and stabbing it into the creature, watching it go limp beneath him.

Then he felt a sharp pain in his back. Turning around he saw the last one had leaped onto him and was now latched onto his back, clawing relentlessly at his shirt and tearing at the flesh beneath. Jeno let out a pained gasp but, using all the strength in himself, he turned quickly, using his momentum to throw it off before standing, bat in hand and running over. He brought the wood crashing down onto the beasts skull, the harsh crack resounding around the street.

As he did, the creature let out a loud howl.

They were in for it now.

Jeno stood hunched over for a moment, hearing the harsh beating of his heart in his ears and feeling the warm blood dripping down his body. He weakly lifted the bat and turned to the boy on the ground, looking at his horrified expression before reaching down and helping him up.

"We have to go... The... Walkers.. Will know..." He said between heavy breaths before leading the boy back to the bowling alley as quick as he could.

He opened the door and limped in, the other following behind.

"Renjun..!" Jeno called out, his breathing heavy as he walked in.

The group was sat on some of the chairs, Renjun helping to gear up Mark and Donghyuck, but when he heard Jeno's call he quickly looked up from his work. Seeing Jeno's condition he hurriedly stood, rushing over to him.

"Oh my god Jeno.. Did they-" Jeno nodded.

"It bit me.. I need.... Antiseptic.. My bag...." Renjun nodded and lead Jeno carefully over to one of the chairs, helping him to sit down. Jeno winced and flinched forward, not letting his back touch the chair. Renjun got out the antiseptic from Jeno's bag, which they had grabbed alone with his gun when they saw it slide in through the door, and a cloth from the bag as well.

Pouring some of the liquid onto the cloth, he placed it on Jeno's arm, earning a pained gasp from the younger who clenched his teeth at the pain. Renjun heald his other hand tightly.

"I know it hurts Jeno, but this is gonna help, okay?" Jeno nodded and squeezed Renjun's hand, placing his head down on the olders shoulder as he let the tears escape from his eyes. "Chenle, bring me a bottle of water. Jisung, get the extra bandages from my bag." Renjun ordered. He then focused his attention back on Jeno as the two got to work. "It's alright Jen, just breathe."

"I know but it... Ah it really fuckin hurts...." Renjun sighed.

"I know, just bare with me." Jeno nodded into his shoulder as Chenle and Jisung came over with their items.

Renjun carefully removed the bloodied cloth and folded it in half, pouring some of the water onto the wound to clean it. Jeno let out a pained gasp and a startled yelp at the sudden sting, but he clenched his eyes shut, taking deep breaths to cope with the pain.

"See Jen? We're almost done." Renjun said, taking the bandages from Jisung. He applied a bit more antiseptic to the bandages before wrapping it around Jeno's arm where the wound was.

"Better?" Renjun asked as he finished. Jeno nodded a bit and took heavy breaths.

"Is he... Alright..." Jeno suddenly asked, his back still stinging and slick with his own blood.

"Who?" Jeno wearily nodded behind them and they all turned to see the boy that Jeno had helped standing there. He looked uninjured, his elbows were scraped and he looked very shaken by the event that had just occurred, but other then that he was safe. His black hair was swooped nicely over his forehead and he brushed it into place with his hand a bit before shifting uneasily under their gazes.

"Yes Jeno. You saved him." Jeno nodded wearily.

"What's your name kid?" He managed to get out in one breath as he looked up. The boy stepped forward carefully.

"N-Na Jaemin.. I- thank you, so much. I dont know what I would've become if-"

"Dont sweat it.. Just... Be careful...." Jeno said. He stood up with a wince and that's when Renjun noticed the youngers back, crimson red and still dripping blood.

"Oh my god Jeno-"

"We need to go... The last shredder was really loud.... We need to go before the walkers get here or worse more shredders." Jeno said as he stumbled to get his bat.

"But, Jeno you're hurt." Renjun said, obviously worried. Jeno took a shirt out of his bag before removing his current one, revealing just how bloody his back was underneath. He quickly slipped the new shirt on over top it.

"That's fine. We need to go. We can take care of it next time we stop." Renjun shook his head.

"No. We aren't going out with you like this. If we run into more of them, you wont be able to fight them with this injury! We have to-"

"Renjun, if we don't go now then all of you will end up like this! We just need to go.." Jeno snapped. The older shut his mouth and nodded slightly.

"Okay.. Jisung, Chenle, get your bags. Donghyuck, can you bring over that last mask? I want Jaemin to use it." Jeno sighed as he stuffed his bloody and torn shirt into his bag, zipping it and putting it on his back. Jaemin looked at him with big eyes and Jeno smiled carefully.

"Its okay kid. You've got us now." Jaemin smiled gently at the others words and nodded.

"Yeah.." He said gently, admiration for the older shining in his eyes.

"I guess I do."

-TBC-