Ji-su's pov

I was okay...I was going to be okay...

Who am I kidding...no I'm not, what am I going to do...

I didn't know how long before these veins spread to my entire body, and I didn't want to think about what would happen if it did, or who I'd hurt.

Eunji took my hand, she held it, she knew I was frightened, she calmed me down.

I crack a smile, but only for a while, my eyes shift to across the room, to Nam-ra, she's wide awake and she was staring at us, well more at me. She looked sympathetic, like she was worried or sorry for what was happening to me.

I gave her a look of reassurance, I hoped it convinced her, because I myself wasn't convinced everything was going to be okay, but it was alright, I would figure it out in the end.

——
It didn't take long for the others to wake up as well, and most of the group huddled in a circle, Eun-ji and I stayed together on the side, Mi-jin and Ha-ri elsewhere.

Nam-ra was standing around a window area, she was staring too long and the others were getting concerned.

"What is it?" Su-hyeok asked, "do you see something?"

Nam-ra only stared at the window, only answering with "the smell is stronger.."

Dae-su started inhaling air sharply, then realising his own scent, started sniffing his clothing
"I don't really smell anything.." he trailed off, whispering the last part, "besides the stench.."

"I think the zombies are all coming this way" Nam-ra spoke again apathetic as always, "the smell is very strong" she sat back down with the group.

"It didn't really matter. We're all trapped in here for good now" Jooyeong sighed, "and there's no way out"

"Please don't say that.." Hyoryung who was sitting beside him spoke, she wasn't really looking at the boy, but it was clear the words he said affected her.

I didn't really say anything. Keeping my mouth shut was good so they wouldn't put their attention on me. I kept my hands to myself and my hair covered my neck so the veins weren't visible to the others.

I look from the huddled circle group, to Nam-ra who picked up a metal baseball bat and tried to bend it, to Wu-jin who was sitting with his sister and Mi-jin having a conversation. Then to Dae-su, who walked his way towards Ha-ri.

He's about to do something stupid, idiotic probably.

I watched and listened as Dae-su cleared his throat, then say "I..."

Mi-jin interjected, mocking him, "you..?"

"I think you're the perfect girl..."

The whole room went silent. Eun-ji and I let out a little 'pfft' sound, people turned their heads to us, we avoided eye contact..

We all watched Dae-su confess his 'undying love' for Ha-ri...his best friend's older sister. Infront of said best friend.

We were all amused...Ha-ri definitely wasn't though, she stared at Dae-su, then she spoke.

"You're Dae-su? You call my brother..brother-in-law?"

Ha-ri held her hand out for him, and he took it, she got up, "Must be nice to meet me."

Dae-su nodded, "yes" with the smile.

Ha-ri gave a smile of amusement, "then you're fine with me killing you right?"

"Yes- what?"

Ha-ri kicked him in the shins and she didn't stop there. Poor Dae-su had to fend behind some cages for basketballs.

"Why don't you understand? I really like you!" He tried to seek reason.

Ha-ri only scoffed, then with sarcasm, "then get over here my dear husband."

Ha-ri started throwing all sorts of sports balls at him, most of us only watched. Dae-su ended hiding behind one of those cages.

The Chaos soon died down and it was left with silence again, that's when I saw Su-hyeok stand up, moving towards one of the sports ball cages. Shaking it and kicking it, making all sorts of noise. It was hurting my ears.

"What are you doing?" I spoke up, my tone sounded more annoyed than I intended it to be, "you're making noise."

Su-hyeok looked at me, "I was thinking we could move this" he turned to the rest of the group, "Do you think it's possible?"

Joo-yeong stood up, so did Wujin, the rest of us paid attention.

"We can tie all the carts in a circle, then we can just use that as a shield."

Then soon, everyone except Eun-ji and I got up to set up the shields, I didn't help because if I got up, the situation going on with my arms would be out and about. I knew if I were to tell them, most of them would probably make it a bigger deal than it already was,so I kept my head down.

"Ji-su, you alright? You look sick"

I lifted my head, the person before me was Gyeong-su. I stared at him, murmuring a little, "I'm fine" before going back to keeping my head down.

"Are you sure?" He asked again, "you look a paler than usua-"

"I said, I'm fine." I snapped, I didn't mean to, but he looked hurt when I did, "sorry" I apologised.

I could feel a few eyes on us, Gyeong-su walked away, and I stood up, Eun-ji right behind me, I walked fast enough to another corner, acting as if I was doing something productive.

"My behaviour is becoming erratic" I whispered to Eun-ji as we played around with a long thread in the back.

"Maybe you're hungry" the shorter girl suggested, but I shook my head, I could go weeks without eating, even if I was hungry. That wasn't the problem.

"What if I'm actually turning?" I voice my thoughts, "What if I'm no longer human?"

Eunji gave me a sympathetic look, she pulled me into a hug, "don't worry..no matter the issue, we'll get through. I don't wanna lose you, ever. Please don't have those thoughts.."

I doubtful smile played on my face as I hug her back. I still wasn't fully sure. Worries were still there.

We broke apart after hearing some commotion with the group.

Eun-ji ushered Nam-ra over, the class president was asked, "what's going on?"

"Mi-jin and Joo-yeong are arguing"

I watched as Mi-Jin cussed at Joo-yeong, "Mi-jin is normally like this.." I sighed, not knowing what to say about my friend's behaviour.

I also watched as they continued arguing, it seemed that Nam-ra had enough. Heck, even I had enough.
Nam-ra ended up walking over to an empty sports ball cart. Pushing it's weight into other equipments, making it hit the wall, catching everyone's attention.

"let's take a vote" the girl proposed.

Mi-Jin eyed Nam-ra up and down. "And you are?"

"I'm the class prez."

——

We all huddled together in front of Nam-ra. I was standing with Eun-ji, Ha-ri and Mi-Jin. Eun-ji leaned her head on my shoulder, I stood with my heads crossed.

"One, split up." Everyone looked at each other, not putting their hand up. I was indifferent, not caring between the two, in either situations I'd still end up living so..

"Two, stay together" with this one everyone raised their hands.

Nam-ra nodded, "okay then, we stay together."

"Next, we make the outside of the shield higher." Many votes for that. Five to be exact

"Two, we make the lids folded, like a box" four votes for that.

Nam-ra spoke again, "Option one received the most votes, so we make the walls high"

Mi-Jin interrupts, "Two people didn't vote" she was referring to Eun-ji and I.

Eunji spoke, "we don't care"

Mi-Jin didn't like the implied attitude in Eun-ji's tone, but refrained from speaking since she saw Eun-ji with me.
She turned her attention to the rest of the group. "Don't start complaining when the zombies climb over and kill us all."

Joo-yeong seethed, "I'll take full responsibility if that happens." Then walked away. Leaving Mi-jin to complain.

———
New Breed, 20
———