𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍𝐉𝐈𝐍

🍣

I found myself alone, having narrowly escaped a zombie attack. Seated at the back of my old classroom, the air thick with tension, I heard faint footsteps and muffled voices. They weren't zombies, that much was clear. Then, amidst the chaos, a familiar voice pierced through the darkness.

Hae Won!

My heart skipped a beat. She had come back for me!

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍

🥨

Hae Won's face lit up as she spotted him. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she rushed towards him, enveloping him in a tight hug as if the world had just crumbled around them, yet they found solace in each other's arms. It was a heartwarming sight.

"Hyunjin! You're okay!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Yeah, I am," he chuckled, reciprocating her embrace.

As they broke apart, she helped him to his feet. "These are my new family," she said, beaming with pride as she introduced us to him.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Changbin quipped with a playful grin.

"No, he's my childhood bestie," she clarified, her smile widening.

"He can stay with us if he wants, right guys?" Felix suggested, shrugging casually.

"Sure," I agreed, echoed by nods from the others.

"Thanks," Hyunjin replied, gratitude evident in his voice.

Though he appeared younger than me but older than Hae Won, there was a sense of camaraderie in his demeanor.

Back at the shelter, Hyunjin inquired about our ages while Hae Won tended to his wounds and Felix brought him some food.

"I'm 19. They are 18." I supplied, gesturing to each person in turn.

"Ah, I'm 18 too!" Hyunjin exclaimed, a smile playing on his lips.

With everyone back together, Felix announced his return with provisions.

"Hey, folks, I'm back!" he announced cheerfully.

"What did you get, Lix?" Hae Won inquired eagerly, rushing over to him with a bright smile.

"Lots of canned fish and corn, some milk, and plenty of cereal bars," he reported, returning her smile.

"Perfect. Let's dig in," Seungmin declared, taking a seat.

𝐇𝐀𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐍

🖇️

Seated between Minnie and Hyunjin, we shared two cans of tuna with some corn. As dinner wrapped up, Bangchan brought up the matter of sleeping arrangements.

"Minnie and Felix can share a bed, and Hyunjin could have his own, since they don't really know each other, and it might be strange," I suggested.

"You're right. Everybody to your rooms," he instructed before heading off to his own.

"Wanna chat before bed?" Seungmin proposed.

"Sure," Felix agreed, and Hyunjin and I joined the circle. We shared stories, discussing our interests and backgrounds, before eventually settling in for the night. 

I woke up to Hyunjin shaking me gently.

"Hey, good morning Daffy" I greeted with a sheepish smile.

"Morning. I'm hungry," he said, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Ah, me too!" I replied, stretching as I got up and washed my face, then bathed and changed clothes.

In the kitchen, Bangchan, and Changbin were already busy preparing something.

"Yay, breakfast!" Hyunjin exclaimed, settling onto the couch in the living room to wait.

"What are you making, Chan?" I asked, stepping closer to him to inspect the meal.

"Some shakes with the fruit that we found growing in the school garden," he replied.

"That's cool. We have an infinite food source!" I exclaimed excitedly.

"Yeah," he smiled.

"I'll go wake up the others," I said, heading out of the kitchen.

Hyunjin was engaged in conversation with Changbin.

"Morning, Binnie," I greeted with a smile.

"Morning," he replied happily, returning the smile.

Entering the room, I found Felix on one side of the mattress and Seungmin on the other.

"Wake up!" I exclaimed, shaking them gently.

"Okay, okay, I'm awake," Seungmin chuckled.

"Just five more minutes," Felix whined.

"Chan made shakes," I informed them.

Both boys got up swiftly and went to have a quick shower.

"Come on!" I called out when they were ready, and we headed to the living room.

Chan was already distributing the shakes.

"Morning, boys," he greeted with a smile.

"Morning," they replied, returning the smile.

After finishing our breakfast, we began preparing for the patrols.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍

🥨

"I'll stay here and gather fruits and vegetables from the school garden, while you guys go out together to find resources," I suggested.

"Sure, okay," Felix agreed, grabbing his belongings, followed by everyone else.

I made my way to the garden and found a variety of produce: carrots, tomatoes, corn, berries, and more. Collecting them, I headed back to the kitchen to start preparing our lunch.

𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐗

🍪

As we traversed the desolate streets of Seoul, now stained with blood and littered with bodies, Hae Won voiced her thoughts.

"Do you guys think there are other survivors somewhere?" she asked.

"Not sure, Wonnie, but there could be someone," Seungmin replied with a shrug.

"It's a big world, so maybe," I added.

"I encountered another survivor in school, but I lost him some time before you guys arrived," Hyunjin shared.

"Really?" Hae Won exclaimed, her face lighting up. "We should go back and find him," she suggested eagerly, already starting in that direction.

"No, it's too dangerous. Remember what happened last time?" Seungmin cautioned.

"But he's still alive. We need to help him. We need to gather survivors," Hae Won pleaded.

"Okay, but stay close and don't run ahead," Seungmin insisted, mindful of the risks involved.

𝐇𝐀𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐍

🖇️

We headed towards the school again, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling within me. The prospect of encountering a new survivor filled me with anticipation, yet I couldn't shake off the fear lingering at the back of my mind.

"We're getting closer. Prepare your weapons," Felix advised, his tone serious as we approached the school gates.

As Changbin swung open the gates, we entered cautiously, the memories of past horrors flooding back as we traversed the blood-stained corridors.

Then, amidst the eerie silence, a muffled cry pierced through the air.

"Guys, I heard something, that way. Come on," I urged, signaling towards the corridor on my right.

We moved cautiously, our senses heightened with every step, until we reached a classroom where the sound seemed to originate.

There, huddled under a table, was a boy with fox-like eyes, his tear-stained face buried in his knees.

"Hey there. Are you okay? Don't be scared, we won't hurt you," Felix reassured gently as he approached.

The boy lifted his head, accidentally knocking into the table. Seungmin stifled a laugh, and I shot him a reprimanding glance, urging him to silence.

Lost in the depths of his captivating eyes, I found myself momentarily entranced.

"Hi. Are you part of a group of survivors?" the boy inquired, wiping away his tears.

"Yeah, we are. Hyunjin mentioned he was with you before we rescued him," Seungmin informed him.

"Oh, yeah. I remember you," the boy replied, recognition flickering in his eyes.

"You can come with us if you want," I offered, extending a hand to help him up.

"Oh, uh, okay," he responded shyly, a tentative smile gracing his lips as our gazes met.

We escorted him back to the shelter swiftly, mindful of his injured rib, and welcomed him into our makeshift family.