𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐁𝐈𝐍

⏰

We carried the injured boy back to the shelter.

"Yo, Chan, we're back!" Felix shouted as we entered, the door creaking open.

Together, we helped the boy up the stairs, where Hae Won quickly fetched the first aid kit.

"Lie down here. Hae Won will take care of you," Seungmin instructed, guiding the boy to the blanket-covered sofa.

"Here," Hae Won said, opening the first aid kit and tending to his wounds with gentle care.

"So, what's your name?" she asked softly.

"Yang Jeongin, but you can call me I.N.," he replied, his voice soft and hesitant.

𝐇𝐀𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐍

🖇️

"Well, I'm Kang Hae Won. I'm 17, and these are Kim Seungmin, Lee Felix, and Hwang Hyunjin. They are 18. And he's Bangchan,19. What about you? How old are you?" Hae Won inquired, gesturing to each of us.

"Uh, same as you. I was born on February 8th," he replied shyly.

"Bleee, I'm still the maknae!!!" Hae Won exclaimed dramatically, eliciting a light chuckle from Jeongin.

"There you go," she said, closing the first aid kit with a smile.

"Thanks," he said, returning the smile.

"Well, I made lunch," Bangchan announced, entering the room.

"What the f—" he started, eyeing I.N.

"Uh, he's new. We rescued him at the school," Hae Won explained.

"Oh, okay. Welcome. What's your name?" Bangchan asked, offering a welcoming smile.

"Yang Jeongin, but you can call me I.N.," he replied.

We all gathered in the kitchen as Bangchan served the tuna with carrots and tomato.

"Wow, I haven't eaten a proper meal in days," Jeongin exclaimed, his fox eyes gleaming with gratitude.

We shared a meal together, the atmosphere warm and comforting.

"Uh, I.N., you can rest if you want. There are some rooms over there," Hae Won offered, pointing towards the sleeping quarters.

"So, he can sleep alone, and Hyunjin moves to sleep with you, okay?" Bangchan suggested.

I nodded, and Jeongin went to get some rest.

"So, what do we do now?" I asked, settling beside Seungmin and resting my head on his chest.

"Well, we can play Uno. I found a box in the third locker downstairs," Changbin suggested.

We played Uno for a couple of hours until it was almost bedtime.

"Guys, let's have our baths and then eat," Bangchan suggested, heading to his room to wash up, followed by Changbin.

The rest of us went to our own rooms, mindful not to disturb the sleeping Jeongin.

As we took turns washing up, Jeongin woke up.

"Hey, you're up. Want to eat or something?" I asked, tossing him a towel as he headed to the bathroom.

"Oh, yeah," he replied, joining us after his bath.

"I'm scared," he admitted after an uncomfortable silence.

"Me too," I confessed, feeling my eyes welling up with tears.

"Can I hug you?" he asked sweetly.

It was too cute, and I couldn't help but cry even more.

That hug felt like the warmest and coziest embrace ever.

𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖-𝕝𝕒𝕡𝕤𝕖

"Hey, Jinnie, come on, wake up," I called out, gently shaking the older boy awake.

"Uhhhh, okay, I'm up!" he muttered, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

Bangchan was still asleep, so Changbin and Seungmin were already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

"Hey, Lixie, Jinnie, and I.N., let's go eat!" I said, ushering the boys into the living room where Changbin and Minnie were serving breakfast - cereal bars and chopped watermelons that we found in the garden.

"Hyunie, watermelons are your favourite fruit!" I exclaimed, handing him one.

"Yes, I do! You know me, Bambi!" he exclaimed excitedly.

I chuckled softly and passed some to Felix and Jeongin.

"Hey, today, are we going to look for more people or just food?" I inquired.

"I don't know, let's wait for Chan to instruct us," Minnie replied.

"Come on, let's wake him up" Lix said, pulling me with him.

"Hey, Chan, wake up," I shook the older boy gently.

"Uhhh, okay, I'm up. Good morning, Wonnie," he smiled as he stretched.

We went back to the living room and Chan ate his breakfast.

I returned to sit beside Minnie. I was so tired; my eyes were slowly closing.

𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐗

🍪

We were discussing where to scavenge, and I noticed Wonnie was almost asleep. Her head fell softly on top of Seungmin.

"Oh, is she asleep?" Jeongin asked.

"Yeah, she must be really tired," Seungmin replied.

"I'll take her to bed," Hyunjin offered, lifting her up easily.

"Jeez, she's light, right?" I commented.

"Yeah, she weighs like 39-40 kg," Hyunjin said as he carried her to the rooms.

"Wow, she's so thin," Changbin remarked, his eyes widening.

"Yeah," Minnie agreed.

"Well, one less on patrols. Someone has to stay here with her, okay?"

"I'll stay," Jeongin volunteered.

"Okay, come on," I said, grabbing my things, and we headed out for our tasks.