SYNOPSIS âą a zombie apocalypse breaks out at hyosan high school and puts the students in danger. however, these students each have a past that will bond them together to fight back for once. oh, and they arent asking for permission.
PAIRING âą lee suhyeok x male!reader
AU âą enemies-to-lovers au!
RATING âą 18+ [do not read if you are a minor]
AUTHORS NOTE âą before you read!! : PLEASE FINISH THE SHOW BEFORE READING!! {it contains spoilers!} this series takes place in south korea, where it is known their mindsets arent as open minded as other countries. hence, you will be seeing homophobia take place, quite often. however true friends remain true friends no matter what, so maybe dont leave just yet! !
CHAPTERS !
chapter one : being an outcast seems to be apart of the school experience.
chapter two : trying to fit into the lifestyle of every korean teen, you try to reconnect with a long ago friend.
chapter three : sometimes a little courage can do a lot more good than bad. sometimes, that is.
chapter four : a fast-spreading outbreak soaks the school in blood. quite literally & figuratively.
chapter five : theres always a price to pay for survival.
chapter six : the art of unlikely alliances is always something special. even if you never saw it coming.
chapter seven : when can someone break free from their own history or will they become forever trapped in the abyss of their own mind?
chapter eight : if only there was an on and off switch to your mind, that way, no one gets hurt.
chapter nine : music and forgiveness dont really go hand in hand as you'd expect.
chapter ten : a rooftops panoramic view should be a beautiful sight, key word, should.
chapter eleven : adults seemed cooler before the infection outbreak.
chapter twelve : life isnt about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning how to dance in the rain.
chapter thirteen : the power of being stuck in a storage closet makes some come together while others seem to stray away.
SYNOPSIS âą in the shadows of a desolate world, theres not many fragile moments that you wanna remember.
PAIRING âą lee suhyeok x male!reader
AU âą enemies-to-lovers au!
CONTENT WARNING âą this chapter contains; isolation, anxiety, feeling of unease, worriness, violence, body horror, mentions of bullying, death of a parent, death, depression, some fluff, reoccuring ptsd, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]
NEXT | PREVIOUS
the wooden door slides with an ominous slowness, and everyone freezes like statues carved from anxiety. no one dares to breathe, the air thick with suspense. namra's head snaps toward the sound, her eyes wide with tension, pupils dilated like dark pools absorbing the fear. the others â some out the window with legs dangling in mid-air, others mid-climb on the precarious rope bridge, and the rest pressed against the walls like shadows trying to blend in â go silent, holding their breaths in a collective act of suspended panic.
all except daesu, who's still clinging to the taut rope, dangling halfway across to the next building's window like a puppet suspended in a macabre dance. he's held up by a mix of fear and the burning ache of rope friction on his palms, stuck in a precarious position between escape and entrapment. the door creaks open with a haunting whisper of wood on wood, and kyungho steps in, his movements economical and deliberate. his presence in the doorway casts a dark shadow over the room, like a void pulling in all light and hope. everyone's gaze is riveted on him, wondering with bated breath what he'll do next, their minds racing with the chilling suspicions about him keeping a body in the freezer and potentially leading zombies to their vulnerable location like a deadly conductor orchestrating a macabre symphony.
at first, he doesnât say anything. he just stands there in the doorway, his silhouette outlined in soft light from the hallway behind him, making him look like a dark shape cut out from night itself. his eyes sweep the room slowly taking in the open window with the rope swaying faintly in the breeze, the empty sleeping bags tossed aside in haste, the tense faces of everyone still frozen in fear.
then they land on you. he tilts his head slightly, a subtle movement that speaks volumes in the heavy silence. ââŠgoing somewhere?â he asks, his voice low and smooth like silk pulled tight, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.
you donât answer. no one does. but the tension breaks like glass on cold stone, shattering into a thousand sharp fragments of panic and uncertainty.
everyone knows theyâve been caught in a lie - or at least in a plan he wasnât part of. kyungho's gaze lingers on you before moving to the others, his expression unreadable in the dim light, leaving everyone wondering what he'll do next.
suhyeok quickly standing in front of you and shielding you from kyungho's sight, his movements swift and defensive. âstay where you are,â suhyeok warns, stepping between you and kyungho. his arm is outstretched protectively, body squared like a barrier forged from tension and distrust. âdonât come closer.â kyungho blinks, his eyelids lowering slowly like curtains on a stage, hiding his thoughts. his expression is unreadable - part amused, part hurt, like a mask worn thin in places, revealing cracks of confusion beneath. âsuhyeok,â he says softly, his voice a low hum in the strained air, âi thought we were past this paranoid phase.â the words hang there, a question without a question, implying a bond that suhyeok is now breaking. kyungho takes a step forward, but suhyeok doesn't flinch, his stance firm as stone. the air thickens with confrontation, everyone else watching like spectators trapped in a tightrope walk between danger and doubt.
namra steps up too, flanking suhyeok's side like a shadow joining battle. her eyes are darker now, like clouds swallowing twilight, her voice low and shaking with a mix of fear and accusation. âwe saw the freezer.â kyungho's face twitches - just a flicker, like a mask slipping for a heartbeat, revealing something raw beneath. âyou donât understand what you saw,â he says, his voice steadying like he's grasping for control amid rising chaos. âthat boyâŠhe was already dead when i found him. i just didnât want him to be alone.â his gaze flickers to you, searching, pleading silently for understanding.
âyou believe me, donât you?â he asks, the words a fragile thread hung between hope and desperation, as if your belief could anchor him against the suspicions swirling in the room. suhyeok and namra exchange a hard glance, neither of them nodding. the air is thick with doubt.
your throat tightens. he's still playing the kind, concerned version of himself. still trying to manipulate you. his eyes were almost drawing you to him, you couldn't help but take a step to the side to want to see him more. quickly suhyeok noticed and blocked you again, "shut it." he said in a low voice. that made kyungho smirk, "oh i get it now." he looked at suhyeok then namra who was standing on guard and then at daesu who was still half out the window and half inside.
"you don't see it, do you?" he gestures to suhyeok, "he's just jealous because y/n and i, actually have a connection." kyungho steps forward as he says it with confidence.
"he doesn't want anything to do with you, so get over it." suhyeok sneered at him. "guess you didn't tell him, huh y/n?" kyungho scoffs and says louder for you to hear. your ears burn red as he continues to talk, you gulp with your eyes closed, "y/n is more of a gentleman than i am. you see, we've been intimate already-" before he could finish, namraâs growl breaks your trance. she moves first. in a blur, she lunges - half-human, half-starved monster, her hands slam into kyunghoâs chest, pushing him back into the hallway with unnatural strength.
he stumbles, shocked, but recovers quickly, grabbing her by the wrist and twisting hard. namra hisses in pain but doesn't back down, her eyes blazing with fury as kyungho's face twists in a mix of anger and surprise.
suhyeok follows a heartbeat later, crashing into both kyungho and namra, sending them sprawling into the hallway in a tangled mess of limbs. âgo!â he yells back at the group, his voice urgent and commanding. âget y/n out now!â daesu, still clinging to the rope halfway across, looks back with a mix of fear and adrenaline. the others â onjo, mijin, hari, hroryeong, wujin â start moving quickly, trying to get across to safety as suhyeok buys them time by confronting kyungho in the hallway.
you standing frozen before daesu shouted your name so loud his mouth was so wide, he has his hand out to you. "come on! we dont have time!" daesu shouts at you, you can only see darkness behind the window where daesu is waiting, you think for a second as you glance back to hear tumbling and you feel a lump in your throat leaving namra and suhyeok but you run towards daesu and he lets you go first, you hold onto the rope and scoot as you look to see hroryeong climbing through the next building's window. wujin is yelling for you and daesu to hurry, you're frantic as you look down and see the crowd of zombies gnawing their jaws at the air, their grotesque faces twisted upwards, mouths open like they're tasting the fear hanging in the air. your heart races as you move faster, the rope swaying ominously with each jerk of your movement.
daesu's urging you on, "faster!" he says, his voice tight with panic, as you both try to get across before the zombies below get any closer or something worse happens in the hallway behind you.
you scoot faster along the rope, your hands gripping tight as the swaying increases with your speed. hroryeong is almost through the window of the next building, and wujin is yelling again, "hurry! get in!" you glance down one more time and see the zombies below getting more agitated, their moans rising like a chorus of hunger, some of them reaching up with claw-like hands as if trying to grab you from the thin air. daesu's right behind you on the rope, pushing you to move quicker. you get closer to the window, hroryeong reaching out to grab your arm and pull you in as soon as you're close enough. wujin grabs daesu's arm the moment he's near and hauls him in too.
you both tumble into the dimly lit room of the next building, gasping for breath. the group huddles together, listening to the muted sounds of chaos outside the zombies moaning, glass breaking faintly in the distance. namra and suhyeok are still back there, and everyone's worried about what'll happen to them.
the tension in the room is thick as everyone catches their breath, listening intently for any sign of namra and suhyeok. wujin paces a little, checking the window they'd just climbed through for any signs of pursuit. hroryeong tries to calm down, whispering something about making it out alive. daesu leans against the wall, eyes closed like he's trying to shut out the stress. you glance around the dim room, it's some kind of abandoned office, dusty papers scattered everywhere, broken furniture overturned.
suddenly, you hear muffled sounds from the direction of the previous building, shouts, a crash, and then a scream. everyone's ears perk up. "namra..." mijin whispers, fear in her voice. wujin moves to the window again, peering back toward the building they'd escaped from. "we have to know what's happening," he says lowly.
before everyone could come up with a plan, cheongsan was already slowly opening the door and heading out into the hallway, speed walking with determination in his steps. onjo whispers to him to slow down, "cheongsan, wait!" but no one could stop him from saving his friend. his eyes are fixed on the direction of the previous building, a resolute look on his face. he moves swiftly and silently down the hall, trying not to draw attention to himself. onjo and the others follow closely behind, trying to keep up with cheongsan's pace while keeping an eye out for any potential threats. as they move through the deserted hallway, the sounds of the previous building grow louder. shouts, scuffles, and the occasional crash. cheongsan's pace quickens, his heart pounding in his chest. he rounds a corner and sees the stairwell leading down to the first floor. "suhyeok... namra..." he whispers to himself, bracing for what he might find.
suddenly hearing namra shouting outside. she's screaming her head off, but she doesn't sound like she's in pain. you quickly peak outside one window to see that she's luring the zombies away from the building. the hoard is pushing over one another and snapping their jaws at the air as they begin running towards her, you see a small glimpse of namra before she's gone in a split second, her dark figure darting between the zombies like a shadow. "she's luring them away." you tell the others who are also looking now, relief and worry mixing in your voice.
onjo's eyes widen in alarm, "is she okay?" wujin frowns, "she's buying us time, let's not waste it." cheongsan's gaze lingers on the direction namra went, a mix of gratitude and concern etched on his face. "we need to find suhyeok," he says firmly, turning away from the window.
you nodding at cheongsan, and cheongsan counts down before opening up the door to the outside and everyone begins running to the building they were just in. that's when suhyeok comes flying through the glass door, his body crashing into the debris as glass shards fly everywhere. cheongsan shields onjo and you shield hroryeong, protecting your faces from the shattered glass. you open your eyes to see kyungho slowly limping out, one of his arms is missing and he has scratches on his face but he doesn't look fazed, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. he raises his head high as he walks out now with everyone else watching in horror, cheongsan shouts before running up to kyungho but kyungho sees him and grabs him by his shirt before tossing him right beside suhyeok like he's a rag doll.
"stop it!" onjo shouts loudly, feeling her eyes well up seeing cheongsan tossed like he was nothing. "you think this will make y/n like you?! huh!?" she shouts at him, her voice trembling with anger and fear. you stand frozen, looking over at suhyeok, not knowing kyungho is staring at you now, his gaze piercing through the chaos. he follows your eyes, "god...even when i help you get rid of a guy who doesn't deserve you, you still look at him." he chuckles tiredly, the sound sending shivers down your spine.
kyungho's gaze lingers on you, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and sadness. suhyeok slowly gets up, his eyes locked on kyungho with a fierce intensity. cheongsan struggles to his feet, his face twisted in pain, but he's ready to defend himself if needed. onjo's still shouting at kyungho, her voice hoarse from screaming, "you're insane! what do you want from us?" kyungho's smile grows wider, his eyes never leaving yours. "i want what's mine," he says, his voice low and menacing.
suhyeok takes a step forward, his fists clenched. "you're not getting anything from him," he growls, his eyes flashing with protectiveness. kyungho's laughter echoes through the hallway, a cold, mirthless sound. "we'll see about that," he says, his eyes glinting with determination.
you finally see how rough suhyeok really looks. his shirt is torn to shreds, smeared with dirt and blood, his skin marked by deep cuts that look painfully fresh. one hand presses hard against his ribs, and though heâs trying not to flinch, the way his jaw tightens betrays just how much it hurts.
you hesitate for a moment, taking it all in, before your voice cuts through the chaos. âenough, kyungho.â the calmness in your tone is startling against the noise around you, so soft, so steady, that everyone immediately turns their eyes on you.
âiâm sorry,â you begin, swallowing back the lump in your throat. âiâm sorry you were twisted into thisâŠâ you take a slow step forward, though thereâs still plenty of space between you and him. âiâm sorry we couldnât be closer⊠not in this lifetime.â kyungho frowns, confused. the others shift uneasily, not understanding where youâre going with this. but you press on. âiâm sorry we never had the chance to be friends before all of this.â
kyungho shakes his head, reaching out a hand to you. âstay with me⊠and we can. iâll let your friends go. no one else has to die. but donât test me.â behind you, suhyeokâs voice breaks through louder now, strained but commanding.
âdonât piss me off.â everyone assumes heâs speaking to kyungho, but you know better. those words are for you. a desperate warning not to throw yourself into something reckless. you step forward again, this time twice as far. hariâs hand shoots out, gripping your arm tightly. âone more step, and we canât save you,â she whispers, her voice trembling. you nod, as if you understand, but your body keeps moving. her hand slips away, helplessly.
then, out of nowhere, a shadow drops from above - namra. she lands with perfect precision, her grip locking around kyungho before he can react. in a blur of motion, her teeth sink into his neck. thereâs a sickening crunch, and she tears straight through until his head gives way completely, snapping free in a spray of blood. you stumble back, the world tilting, your chest heaving at the shock of it all. never, never in your life have you seen her like this.
namra hops off kyunghoâs back with an almost feral grace, landing in a crouch. her mouth is smeared with blood, crimson dripping down her chin in thick rivulets. in one hand, she clutches his severed head like a grotesque trophy, her fingers sunk deep into his hair. one of her eyes is already clouded and rotting, the skin around it peeling as if decay itself is taking her piece by piece.
sheâs panting heavily, every breath ragged, wet. between gasps, she chews slowly on a strip of torn flesh that broke off in her mouth. the sound is sickening, the kind that makes your stomach twist. your eyes go wide, frozen in place, unable to reconcile the friend you once knew with the figure standing before you now.
hari doesnât hesitate. her hand jerks to her quiver, and in one smooth motion, she pulls out an arrow, notching it against the string. her bow is steady, aimed directly at namraâs heart but before she can let go, onjo rushes forward, stepping into the line of fire.
âdonât do it,â she pleads, voice breaking, her hands raised in front of her like a fragile shield. hari narrows her gaze, her whole body tense. her fingers flex against the bowstring, ready to release. âmove.â the single word cuts through the air like a blade. onjo shakes her head, tears blurring her vision, but her feet stay rooted to the ground and then, behind her, namra finally speaks. her voice is low, cracked, trembling, but laced with a stubborn strength. she shakes her head, blood still dripping down her chin, tears sliding silently over her pale face. âno⊠i can still⊠i can still fight it.â her shoulders quake, but she stands tall, clutching the head tighter, trying desperately to hold on to the last shreds of herself.
suddenly, the sound rips through the nightârunning feet, guttural growls echoing down the street. everyone stiffens, heads snapping toward the noise. the same horde namra had driven away earlier is back, drawn in by the chaos and shouting.
ârun!â wujinâs voice cracks as he points into the dark.
instantly, the group bursts into motion. mijin grabs you by the arm, hauling you up from the ground before you can even steady yourself. she doesnât let go, pulling you alongside her as you sprint. beside you, cheongsan has suhyeok slung across his shoulder, his face twisted in pain but refusing to slow down. his breath comes in ragged gasps as he forces his legs to move faster.
âwhereâs namra?!â you shout, your eyes darting frantically, but her figure is nowhere to be found.
âjust keep running!â mijin yells back, her grip on you tightening. you glance over your shoulder, chest heaving. the sight makes your blood run cold, tthe horde is charging full force, their silhouettes surging like a dark wave. no sign of namra, only the snarling undead tearing after you. everyoneâs breathing grows louder, harsher, as the group veers right down a narrower street. but stray zombies stumble from the shadows, closing in from the sides. hariâs bowstring hums, arrows flying with precise speed, each shot finding its mark. daesu, wild-eyed, swings his baseball bat, the crunch of bone cracking under his strikes. âthis way!â onjoâs voice rings out as she ushers everyone into a narrow side alley. one by one, they dart inside, feet pounding against the pavement.
you reach the intersection of a four-way street when something flickers in the corner of your vision. to the left just for a heartbeat you swear you see namra, running down the opposite street alone. ânamra,â you breathe, your voice breaking. without thinking, your legs propel you forward, full speed. ây/n!â wujin shouts after you, but his voice fades behind the pounding in your ears. ânamra! itâs me!â you whisper-shout, scanning the shadows desperately as you push yourself faster, lungs burning.
a sudden noise makes you skid to a halt the sharp clatter of a kicked can bouncing against the concrete somewhere ahead. your heart lurches, and you chase after it, convinced itâs her. but when you round the corner, itâs not what you expect. thereâs no namra.
instead, four adult zombies stand with their backs half-turned to you, pressed against a wall, gnawing and clawing at nothing fleshless stone beneath their teeth. the sound of bone scraping cement is grotesque, maddening. you freeze. your breath hitches. every instinct screams at you not to move. slowly, carefully, you begin to step backward, your footfalls as light as you can manage.
you pause, heart slamming in your chest, weighing the risk. the four zombies are too distracted to notice you, their jaws grinding against stone like itâs flesh. you take one last shaky step back, then turn sharply on your heel.
run.
your body jolts forward, feet slapping against the pavement as quietly as you can manage. but the darkness swallows everythingâthe streets blur into one another, shadows stretching into endless copies of the same narrow alleys. you canât tell left from right, canât tell if youâre retracing your steps or spiraling deeper into the maze. your breath grows uneven. the echo of your own footsteps bounces off the buildings, making it impossible to know if itâs just you or something chasing.
âmijin?!â you whisper out hoarsely. âwujin?!â
no answer. just the suffocating dark, broken by the occasional distant growl. panic gnaws at you. every corner looks the sameâcracked sidewalks, broken lamps, windows like gaping mouths. you turn down another street, desperate, only to find another empty stretch of road, littered with overturned trash cans and broken glass. your chest tightens. the realization hits you: you donât know where the others went. youâre alone.
as the first light of dawn crept over the desolate cityscape, you found yourself huddled in a large, green dumpster, the metal walls enclosing you in a putrid embrace. the stench of rotting garbage and decay wafted up, making your stomach churn, but you didn't dare emerge. hours had ticked by since the chaos erupted, each one an eternity of uncertainty and fear. now, with the sun slowly rising, casting a pale glow over the devastated streets, you were left to grapple with the harsh reality of your situation. the dumpster, once a refuge, now felt like a prison, its confines suffocating. you shifted uncomfortably, the rusty metal creaking beneath you, and wondered what the new day would bring more danger, more loss, or perhaps a glimmer of hope?
the silence outside was oppressive, punctuated only by the distant moans and shuffling footsteps of the infected, a constant reminder that you weren't safe, not yet.
you emerge slowly from the dumpster, your eyes scanning the desolate street as the sky transitions into a soft, purplish light blue hue, signaling the dawn's gentle awakening. the familiar sights and sounds of your neighborhood bring a mix of relief and trepidation. you hop out of the dumpster, your gaze drifting upwards to the street sign, and your heart skips a beat as you realize you're on your own street.
the sign creaks gently in the morning breeze, bearing the name youâve known all your life. your eyes widen at the thought of your dad, and a surge of hope and fear propels you forward. you stick close to the walls and shadows, your senses on high alert as you make your way towards your apartment building. finally, you see the familiar structure looming before you, and your pace quickens as you climb the stairs. but halfway up, a jolt of reality hits you â you're unarmed and vulnerable. you freeze, your mind racing with the dangers that might await you inside. your gaze sweeps the surroundings, searching for anything that could serve as a makeshift weapon. your eyes land on a metal pole protruding from a broken window, partially hidden by tattered curtains. you dash towards it, grasping the cool metal firmly.
the weight of it in your hands provides a semblance of security. with newfound determination, you grip the pole tightly and resume your ascent, stopping in front of your apartment door. you pause, listening intently for any sounds emanating from within. the silence is oppressive, leaving you wondering what â or who â might be waiting for you on the other side.
you find yourself standing in front of a door, chest rising and falling hard, every breath echoing in your ears. the street behind you has gone eerily quiet no footsteps, no growls just silence. your eyes drop to the doorknob. it hangs loosely, the wood splintered where itâs been kicked in, the door slightly ajar. your throat goes dry, a heaviness pressing down on you. fingers tightening around the pole in your grip, you push gently. the door creaks as it swings open, slow and reluctant, until it rests against the wall.
nothing. just darkness spilling out. you step inside, each footfall cautious. for a moment, you debate calling outâhis name, a word, anythingâbut it sticks in your throat. the living room stretches before you. familiar shapes in the dark. except⊠not quite. your eyes land on the lamp in the cornerâthe one that used to bring you comfort on nights you were too afraid to sleep. now it lies in shards on the ground, glass glittering faintly in the moonlight leaking through the window. you swallow hard and force yourself to move deeper into the house.
the hallway feels suffocating. you peek into your parentsâ bedroom, half-expecting movement, a shadow, a voice. but itâs still. the bed made, everything neat. too neat. you turn away, heading toward the kitchen. thatâs when it hits you. a smell. thick, rancid, unmistakable. flies buzz faintly, the sound growing louder as you step closer. your stomach twists before you even see it, but thenâ there he is. your fatherâs body lies crumpled on the floor, limbs slack, skin already pale with decay. the pole trembles in your grip as the world narrows around you.
your hands tremble uncontrollably as you stumble backward, the wall a cold, unforgiving surface that halts your retreat. the metal pole slips from your grasp, clattering to the floor with a hollow sound that seems to echo through your mind. you cover your eyes, as if the darkness might shield you from the reality unfolding before you. the words spill out in a desperate, anguished whisper: "no... no, no, no, no..." the repetition is a fragile barrier against the crushing weight of your loss. you can't bear the thought of facing the truth â that your father is gone, and you're left with nothing but emptiness and isolation. the silence in the room seems to grow thicker, more oppressive, as if it's suffocating you. your breaths come in ragged gasps, each one a struggle against the overwhelming grief that's threatening to consume you. you're frozen in a moment that feels like it will never end, the world around you reduced to nothing but pain and despair.
as the days blurred together, a month of solitude passed, marked by the silence and emptiness that filled your world. you went through the motions, numb and detached, as you struggled to come to terms with your new reality. the first week was a blur of grim tasks, like dragging your father's body out of the apartment and disposing of it in the dumpster. you fixed the busted front door with makeshift repairs, using tape and nails to create a fragile barrier between you and the outside world.
in the second week, you began to venture out, scavenging for supplies and exploring the abandoned city. the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of your footsteps echoing off the buildings. you gathered what you could, stockpiling food and water, but the emptiness within you seemed to grow with each passing day.
the third week brought chaos, as loud explosions rocked the city, sending you running for cover. you got caught in a fence, and panic set in, but then you saw a cat, its eyes watching you calmly. it was a small, fleeting moment of connection, but it was enough to make you realize how long it had been since you'd seen another living being. you took the cat home, and for the first time in weeks, you felt a spark of companionship.
the fourth week was one of quiet introspection, spent inside with your new feline companion. you had enough food and water to last, and the cat's presence seemed to bring a sense of calm to the apartment. you watched it curl up in the sunbeams that streamed through the windows, and for a moment, the weight of your solitude seemed a little more bearable.
as the days turned into weeks, you found a fragile sense of routine in your solitude. the cat became your sole companion, and you grew accustomed to its gentle purrs and soft fur. you'd talk to it occasionally, sharing your thoughts and feelings with the only listener you had left. the cat would watch you with curious eyes, as if trying to understand the words that spilled from your lips. your days fell into a predictable pattern: scavenging for supplies in the morning, spending the afternoons exploring the nearby areas, and the evenings curled up with the cat, watching the stars twinkle to life in the night sky. you'd lost track of time, unsure of the date or the day of the week, but the rhythm of your life had become a comforting cadence.
one day, as you were out on a scavenging mission, you stumbled upon a small, abandoned library. the doors creaked as you pushed them open, and the musty smell of old books wafted out, carrying with it memories of a time when knowledge and stories were cherished. you wandered through the shelves, running your fingers over the spines of the books, feeling a sense of wonder and discovery.
the cat, who'd tagged along, wove in and out of your legs, purring softly as you settled into a worn armchair, surrounded by the silence of the library. you opened a book at random, and the words on the page seemed to come alive, transporting you to a world beyond your own.
the rhythmic stomping echoed through the library, growing louder with each passing moment. a voice, firm and commanding, cut through the silence, "check for any possible signs of the undead!" the words sent a shiver down your spine as you realized the sound belonged to soldiers. you instinctively backed away from the noise, your heart racing with a mix of fear and uncertainty. the soldiers' arrival stirred up memories you'd rather forget â memories of promises unkept and protection that never came. you wondered if these soldiers were any different, if they would truly offer the safety and security you so desperately craved. your hand instinctively went to the cat by your side, a silent gesture of seeking comfort in the only companionship you had left. as the soldiers moved closer, their footsteps and murmurs filling the space, you hesitated.
the soldiers' footsteps echoed through the library, growing louder with each passing moment. you held your breath, frozen in uncertainty, as they methodically cleared the shelves and corners. the cat, sensing your tension, remained still beside you, its eyes fixed on the approaching soldiers. suddenly, a beam of light cut through the dimness, illuminating your hiding spot. a soldier's voice, firm but cautious, called out, "we've got a survivor here!" the words hung in the air, a mixture of relief and apprehension washing over you. the soldiers approached you slowly, their faces obscured by helmets and masks, their eyes scanning you for signs of injury or infection. one of them knelt beside you, offering a canteen of water and a gentle smile. "hey, it's okay. you're safe now. we're here to help." the words were reassuring, but your mind replayed memories of past disappointments.
the cat, sensing your unease, rubbed against your leg, its soft purrs a comforting reminder that you weren't alone. not anymore.
hi guys ! writing up the next chapter right now, trying to be more consistent to finish this series since they are filming season 2 of aouad !!!!! im so excited, but hopefully i finish and post by tonight !
if you guys are interested in any all of us are dead season 2 updates, i recently joined the reddit dedicated to it and theres a bunch of proof its being filmed rn, i def recommend !
Khan Younis: A City of Displacement and Hungerđ”đžđ
Khan Younis⊠a city overwhelmed by displacement, suffocating under the weight of tents and silent screams.Families fleeing from one danger into another, with nothing but broken dreams and borrowed blankets.
Children are starving. Mothers spend the day searching for crumbs. Fathers are shadows of themselves, carrying pain they canât express. No clean water. No food. No medicine.
This is not a page from history â this is now. In Khan Younis. In the dust and mud, among torn tents and empty pots.
Hunger is the only language left. The cries are loud, even if the world has stopped listening.
Please, donât turn away. Every share, every donation can help.
My name is Motaz, and my wife is Huda. We got married only three months before the war. We d⊠Adam M needs your support for Help Feed & Hous
Today, the Nazi Israeli forces shelled several journalists and civil defense personnel live on air
Today was one of the hardest day , The airstrikes hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis directly. The first strike tore through the fourth floor, and just minutes later while journalists and medics were trying to document and save lives ,another strike hit the same spotđđđ
It wasnât just a bombing⊠it felt like an attempt to silence every voice, every image, every effort to show the truth from inside Gaza. Cameras were left lying on the ground, covered in dust and blood, while people around the hospital screamed, searching for signs of life.
Looking back at the images after the attack, the scene was unbearable: exhausted faces, tears, bodies pulled from the rubble. The very people who always stood behind the camera became the picture themselves today.
This hospital is not the first to be bombed, and these journalists are not the first to be targeted. But today carries a different weight: it feels like theyâre not only destroying buildings, theyâre trying to erase testimony, to switch off the image, to leave Gaza without witnesses.
..
If you can, please help my family in Gaza survive. Every little bit makes a differenceđđ„ș
Hello, my name is Anas, and I am from Gaza.Some of you may already know me from my previous fundraiser on GoFundMe. I want to explain honest
Our previous fundraiser, which was shut down, had raised $22,000 out of our $40,000 goal. With this new campaign, we are starting again from zero and our goal now is to reach $20,000. The new fundraiser accepts donations in multiple currencies, not only USD.đđ„č
SYNOPSIS âą locks and chains were made for a reason.
PAIRING âą lee suhyeok x male!reader
AU âą enemies-to-lovers au!
CONTENT WARNING âą this chapter contains; isolation, anxiety, jealousy, feeling of unease, worriness, mentions of bullying, death, depression, some fluff, reoccuring ptsd, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]
NEXT I PREVIOUS
namra bursts up the stairs, every step pounding with urgency, and shoves herself into the restroom. the door slams hard behind her, lock snapping into place. she plants both hands on the sink, knuckles white, breath ragged, teeth grinding so tightly itâs almost painful. her mind screams for something, someone, between them, an ache too sharp to ignore.
she forces her gaze upward, slow and reluctant meeting the mirror. one eye stares back as it should, but the other⊠the skin around it is sinking, discolored, almost rotting. her body trembles, fingers digging deeper into the porcelain until a sudden crack splinters across the sinkâs edge. as she gasps, stumbles back while her chest is heaving fear flashes across her face then something darker swallows it. her hunger hits like a wave, ripping away the last threads of reason. she raises her wrist, hesitates for a heartbeat, then sinks her teeth in. the taste floods her mouth, hot and metallic, and two tears slide down her cheeks.
she canât remember the last time real food satisfied her - not that she hadnât tried. she used to eat it, pretend it worked, then slip away to purge it in silence. now, the thought of anything else is unthinkable.
namra waited in silence, the dimly lit hallway a stark contrast to the warmth of shared dinner conversations that had just ended hours before. with everyone retreating to their bedrooms, the creaks of closing doors and muffled sounds of settling into night routines filled the air. utilizing her extraordinary auditory senses, namra picked up on each faint movement, each soft click of a latch securing into place. once the stillness of nightfall enveloped the house, she summoned the courage to step out, her breaths shallow and trembling with an unspoken urgency. needing a reprieve from the closeness of others, she navigated quietly downstairs, avoiding creaky steps with practiced stealth. her intent was clear: the solitude of the roof, a place away from prying eyes and worried glances. there, she sought a moment to herself, not wanting to trouble you or anyone else with the nuances of her inner world.
the night wore on, shrouded in shadows and whispers of unspoken intentions. suhyeok, who had lain awake the entire time, his mind racing with the contours of a clandestine plan, turned to glance at cheongsan, wujin, and daesu. to his knowing gaze, they too were awake, their eyes reflecting a silent understanding. with a subtle nod, their plan sprang to quiet life.
they slipped out of their beds with movements honed to minimize sound, converging in the hallway where the night air seemed to hold its breath. suhyeok began mouthing the details of their mission, his lips forming words that only his cohorts could decipher. together, they padded downstairs with calculated steps, intent on avoiding kyungho's notice. unbeknownst to the quartet, kyungho had followed a similar nocturnal path hours earlier, drawn to the roof after catching sight of namra's ascent. now, on the rooftop, kyungho stood watch under the expanse of night sky, a silent observer to the darkness below.
the four boys navigated through the dimly lit aisles of the lower levels, their eyes scanning every shadow and corner for a glimpse of kyungho. suhyeok led the way, his gaze darting between stacks of snacks and household items, while cheongsan checked behind counters and daesu peered into corners.
wujin kept a watchful eye on the periphery, ensuring no unexpected movements from other parts of the place. however as they swept through each aisle, it became apparent kyungho was nowhere to be seen.
wujin, processing the absence of their target, gestured discreetly to the others. with a subtle nod towards the kitchen area, he motioned for them to head towards the freezer. the others followed wujin's lead without a word, their footsteps hushed as they converged on the cold storage, a place that seemed to hold a significance only they understood.
suhyeok gestured towards a door nestled within the freezer's interior, a door that seemed to lead into a deeper, colder compartment. the boys' eyes widened as they took in the sight of a giant chain and lock wrapped securely around the door handle, an imposing barrier that spoke of secrecy and restriction.
"i told you," suhyeok said, his voice low and grave, as the others exchanged looks of denial mingled with growing worry. cheongsan cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence, and directed wujin to search around kyungho's sleeping area for a key. daesu trailed behind wujin without needing instruction, prompting wujin to roll his eyes good-naturedly at the same-aged boy's propensity to follow without being asked.
meanwhile, in the biting cold of the freezer area, cheongsan and suhyeok's breaths misted visibly in the air. "where is he?" cheongsan whispered, his voice barely audible, as if afraid that speaking kyungho's name might summon him into their midst. suhyeok shrugged, then lightly knocked on the locked door.
"is anyone there? do you need help?" he asked softly, but there was no response this time there was no sound, not even a faint thud or movement from beyond the secured door.
meanwhile, daesu stood guard, his eyes darting between wujin who was rummaging through drawers near kyungho's sleeping area and the rest of the dimly lit surroundings. every 15 seconds or so, daesu would ask, "anything?" his voice low but persistent. each time, wujin would shush him, a hint of annoyance creeping into his gestures as he continued his search for the elusive key. finally, wujin dropped to his knees and began to ruffle through kyungho's sleeping bag with hurried movements. he lifted kyungho's pillow, and amidst the fabric, his fingers found a torn piece of paper a ripped picture of a teenage boy. wujin stared at the image, confusion etched on his face. he hesitated for a moment, weighing his next move, then slipped the picture into his pocket with a quiet deliberation.
wujin shifted a folded blanket lying near kyungho's sleeping area, and his fingers brushed against a small, metallic object. his eyes lit up as he grasped the small key.
"got it!" he whisper-shouted, a mix of triumph and caution in his voice. daesu's face broke into a smile, and he pumped his fist up with contained vigor, trying not to make too much noise. both boys turned quickly towards the freezer door, hurrying back to where suhyeok and cheongsan waited, still standing by the chained door of the deeper freezer. wujin held up the key as he approached, a look of anticipation on his face, and the others watched with held breaths, wondering what lay beyond the locked door.
suhyeok took the key from wujin, his gaze flicking behind them to ensure no one was approaching. satisfied with the clear hallway, he swiftly inserted the key into the lock wrapped around the freezer door's handle. with a soft click, the chain loosened, and suhyeok pulled the door open with a slight creak.
"wait, someone's gotta stand watch outside," cheongsan said, his voice low and serious. wujin nodded curtly, "got it," then without looking at daesu, he slapped the younger boy's arm, passing on the responsibility. daesu looked around slowly, confusion and a hint of unease crossing his face. "me?" he pointed to himself, a nervous gulp audible as he realized he'd been tasked with standing watch outside the freezer door.
daesu hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting between the others as he processed being chosen for watch duty. suhyeok, cheongsan, and wujin began to step into the deeper freezer, their movements cautious as they peered into the cold darkness beyond the threshold. daesu lingered outside, positioning himself near the doorway with a mix of reluctance and attempt to look vigilant. "keep an ear out," wujin murmured to daesu as the others vanished into the chill of the inner freezer, leaving daesu to guard the entrance. daesu nodded, swallowing slightly as he listened intently, his senses on alert for any sound of movement or approach in the quiet house.
inside the deeper freezer, suhyeok, cheongsan, and wujin looked around carefully, their breaths misting in the frigid air. shelves lined with frozen goods cast eerie shadows in the dim light, and the cold seemed to amplify the quiet. they scanned the cramped space but didn't see anyone - no sign of kyungho or any other presence. the air was heavy with the silence of frozen storage, and aside from the faint hum of machinery, there was no sound of movement or breathing aside from their own. cheongsan frowned slightly, his eyes lingering on the corners of the small room. "nothing," he whispered, voicing what the others were thinking. suhyeok nodded slowly, his gaze still searching the cold space as if expecting something to reveal itself.
suddenly wujin lost his footing and tripped over a tarp that was bunched up on the floor of the freezer. "shit!" he cursed as he fell hard onto his bottom, caught partially under the rumpled tarp. cheongsan and suhyeok turned quickly toward the sound, their eyes adjusting to see wujin struggling to get up.
as they looked closer, they noticed a foot sticking out from under the tarp wujin had tripped over. "who the hell even puts this in the middle of the walk-way...seriously?" wujin sighed, rubbing his backside as he scrambled out from under the tarp, not yet realizing the significance of what he had stumbled upon. cheongsan and suhyeok exchanged a look, their faces growing serious as they stared at the protruding foot, now the focus of their tense attention.
meanwhile, kyungho was leaning against the wall on the roof, a barrier designed to prevent people from jumping off. his arms were casually crossed, and he had a cool demeanor as he stood next to namra, who had her arms crossed over her chest. kyungho had been talking, but namra had been lost in her thoughts, not paying attention to his words.
"so i know how you feel" was the phrase that snapped her back to reality. she slowly turned towards him, her expression questioning. "..what?" she asked finally, breaking the silence of her thoughts. kyungho turned towards her and laughed at her reaction, his amusement evident. he pointed down to the street below, where a crowd of the undead still lingered. "they seem so stupid from up here, don't they?" he asked with a smirk. "you make any noise, anything at all, and they just follow you all the way home." he laughed again, turning towards namra with a smile. "just be happy you're still alive, namra," he said, trying to comfort her. "and not down there..." he trailed off as namra looked down, her gaze following his implication, "with them."
namra gave kyungho a confused look, her expression a mix of uncertainty and slight disconnection from his words. kyungho ushered them to head back downstairs and inside, away from the rooftop's night air. as they descended, kyungho told namra to get some sleep, his voice casual but with a hint of concern.
namra caught a glimpse of someone running upstairs out of the corner of her eye, but she ignored it, her focus on kyungho's words. she nodded at him as he said goodnight, and she headed upstairs while kyungho laid down by the now empty register counter, a spot that seemed to be his makeshift resting place. as namra headed to her room, she could hear whisperings coming from the boys' room, but they were all talking over each other in hushed tones. she couldn't make out what they were saying amidst the overlapping voices. she decided to ignore it and at least try to sleep, even though she hadn't been able to get more than 2 hours of sleep since she felt like she didn't need it anymore. yet she still tried to rest, her mind processing the oddities of the night.
meanwhile, in the boys' room, the four of them whispered frantically over one another, their hushed voices urgent. "did you put everything back where it was?" cheongsan asked, his eyes wide with concern. wujin nodded frantically, his movements quick. daesu whispered anxiously, "where do we even go? the streets are full of zombies!" cheongsan tried to calm his bigger friend down, his voice a soothing whisper amidst the tension.
"anywhere is better than being trapped here with him," suhyeok answered immediately, his words laced with a mix of fear and determination. "what do we do?" wujin asked, his voice terrified, "he's downstairs," he added, emphasizing the danger of their situation. cheongsan thought for a second, his gaze drifting towards the big window in the room. "we've scaled buildings before..." he trailed off, a plan beginning to form in his mind as the others watched him, their breathing hushed in anticipation.
you suddenly awaken to the sensation of large, gentle hands touching you one on your shoulder, the other on your waist. the hands squeeze softly and then release, a tender touch that pulls you from sleep. "y/n..." a low whisper speaks your designation softly, the voice barely audible but intimate. the whisper makes you turn your head towards the sound, your eyes adjusting to the dim light of the room as you try to focus on who is speaking to you. the touch is gentle, almost careful, and you sense a presence close beside you in the darkness.
you realize it's suhyeok touching you, his hands having awakened you with a gentle grip on your shoulder and waist. you slowly sit up in bed and stretch your legs, confusion on your face. "what's wrong?" you ask, your voice soft from sleep. suhyeok's face comes close to yours, his expression serious in the dim light. "we're leaving," is all he says, his voice low and urgent. before you can react much, suhyeok picks you up out of bed like a bride in a swift, gentle motion, and sets you down gently on your feet, standing up. "what?" you ask a bit louder now, confused by the sudden movement. suhyeok shushes you quietly, his finger to his lips. "I'll explain when we're safe, but you need to change and get your things. wujin's waking up the girls," suhyeok explains in a hushed tone.
you squint in the dim light and look over to see cheongsan by the open window, poking his head out and looking left and right. he's making some kind of rope out of what looks like tied-together sheets or fabric, his movements efficient as he prepares for something.
you quickly grab some clothes and change right then and there, hurried by the tension in the air. suhyeok begins helping cheongsan with the makeshift rope by the window as they discuss something together in hushed tones. "where's daesu?" you ask, looking around and whispering. "in the bathroom as usual," is all cheongsan says without looking away from his task, his focus on securing the rope.
they continue to plan out their next move, glancing down at the zombies below through the window. you've never been more confused in your life - just a few hours earlier, everything had been fine. what could've happened to cause this sudden urgency? you quickly pull your pants up as the wooden sliding door opens, revealing all the sleepy girls and wujin. they come into the room, and instantly everyone looks panicked. "where's y/n?" hari asks quickly, her eyes scanning the room. wujin points to you in the corner, and quickly all the girls come towards you in concern. they're clustered around you, faces filled with worry, but you're so confused about what's going on.
onjo grabs your hands, her grip gentle but her expression concerned. "you okay?" she looks up at you with eyes that are more tired than just sleep, like they've seen more than they should in a short span.
"yes? why wouldn't i be?" you ask, your voice laced with confusion as you look towards namra. namra is talking to cheongsan, and she has a serious look on her face like she's listening intently for something. her gaze is focused outward, toward the window perhaps, and her lips are pressed in a thin line as she nods slightly at something cheongsan says. the air in the room is thick with tension, and everyone seems to be waiting for something to happen, their movements hushed but urgent. onjo doesn't let go of your hands yet, her eyes searching yours for something.
you speak up, "wait, what's..." but before you can finish your question, daesu enters the room. everyone turns quickly toward the door, then feels a sigh of relief as they see it's just daesu. you couldn't get to finish your question, as hari just says, "stay behind me at all times," like the older sister she is. quickly getting frustrated why everyone but you knows something, you quickly betray her words and let go of onjo's hands. you squeeze past the girls to cheongsan.
"what the hell is going on?" you finally ask, which makes everyone freeze toward you. cheongsan opens his mouth to speak but quickly looks back at suhyeok, passing him the responsibility to calm you and keep you quiet. "i told you iâll explain when we're safe," suhyeok whispered with his hands out to calm you. "yeah, before i knew everyone else knows, so just tell me," you whisper to him with your arms crossed, annoyed. suhyeok's expression is a mix of calm and caution as he tries to placate you without giving too much away in front of the others.
suhyeok sighs at your stubbornness, his breath a quiet exhale in the tense air. "kyungho is not the person you think he is," he says, his words dropping like a stone into the room's growing unease. you look up at him after he speaks with annoyance, your eyes narrowing slightly. "you could use specifics," is all you say, your voice firm with a hint of irritation. he sighs again, "I'm not telling you more until-" but you cut him off, your words sharp with a mix of confusion and frustration. "do you think I'm a kid or something? that I can't handle it?" you step forward slightly, your movement emphasizing your words in the cramped room. the room's filling with tension as everyone watches the exchange. "you know I don't think that," suhyeok speaks more softly, trying not to start another argument with you. his eyes plead for understanding in the dim light.
"he has a right to know," hroryeong finally speaks as she has her arm hooked with onjo now. "thank you," is all you say as you stare at suhyeok waiting, your gaze unyielding as you expect him to continue.
daesu and cheongsan talk about the potential escape plan in hushed tones while suhyeok sighs, his eyes locked on you. "he's keeping a body in the deep freezer," he bluntly says, his words dropping like a bombshell into the tense air. you stare at him a moment, confused. "so?" you say, your tone casual despite the gravity of suhyeok's revelation. everyone is shocked by your question, their faces a mix of disbelief and concern. "so?" suhyeok copies you in shock, his voice rising slightly in incredulity. "it might've been a loved one he lost. people grieve differently," you try to give a reasonable explanation, your words attempting to rationalize kyungho's actions.
"y/n..." wujin chimes in, his voice hesitant. "it looked like..." he pauses to breathe as he looks sick thinking about it. "it looked like he had been...eating him." wujin's words shock you as you blink quickly, trying to come up with yet another excuse for kyungho's actions. the room falls into a heavy silence after wujin's words, the implication hanging in the air like a challenge to your defense of kyungho.
flashes of when you first met kyungho in the bike store come to your mindâmoments of him being kind, helpful, and somehow endearing. you can't, don't want to believe he could do such a thing. the memories of his smiles, his help when you needed it, and especially the moments where his lips landed on yours make your hands fly up involuntarily. you begin wiping your lips urgently, a mix of shock, disgust, and disbelief on your face. you sit on the bed nearest to you, looking down in a daze, trying to process the accusations about kyungho. "so he's a halfbie right?" hroryeong asks to confirm, her voice cutting through your thoughts. mijin nods, her expression serious. "he's gotta be, or he's just a crazy ass cannibal," she says with her arms crossed, her words adding to the growing unease in the room about kyungho's nature and actions. the tension in the room thickens as everyone waits for your reaction, the whispers about kyungho hanging heavy in the air.
namra speaks up, her voice low but carrying weight in the tense room. "he told me something weird the other day. he told me the undead were stupid. that they'd follow you anywhere as long as you made noise," she says, looking around at the others as she recounts kyungho's words. then she looks at suhyeok, "all the way home," she mimicked kyungho's words. daesu gasps, his reaction sharp in the hushed atmosphere.
"you're saying...he's been leading these zombies here every night?" he questions, his voice filled with a mix of horror and realization as he looks down out the window. below, many of the zombies are gargling and bouncing off one another, their undead movements grotesque in the dim light. the implication of kyungho's actionsâpurposefully leading zombies to their locationâsends a chill through the group, making them glance at each other with growing fear and suspicion about kyungho's intentions downstairs.
you shake your head, trying to deny the dark picture forming about kyungho's actions. "that doesn't make sense. why would he do that? he's trying to protect us?" you say, attempting to appease the group's growing suspicions and fears. everyone stays silent at your question, then just stares at you with a mix of concern and understanding. the realization dawns on you slowly, like a shadow creeping in. "he's trying to trap us..." you gulp, the words barely out of your mouth as the implication hits you like a cold wave. the group's eyes seem to agree with this new understanding, their faces tense with the thought of being trapped with a potentially dangerous kyungho downstairs, and zombies swarming outside. the air in the room thickens with fear and the urgency of their situation.
the tension in the room spikes as the realization of kyungho potentially trying to trap you all sinks in. everyone exchanges nervous glances, their thoughts racing with what to do next about kyungho's suspicious behavior and the zombies outside. suhyeok steps closer to you, his voice low. "we need to get out of here. now." he says, urgency in his tone as he glances toward the window where cheongsan had been making the rope. cheongsan nods in agreement, checking the makeshift rope's security one more time.
"we'll go across using this. try to get to a safer place," he says, his eyes scanning the group. the girls look scared but determined, onjo clinging slightly to hroryeong. "what about kyungho?" you ask, your voice barely above a whisper, the thought of confronting or avoiding him hanging in the air. suhyeok's jaw clenches. "we deal with him when we have to. priority is getting out alive."
cheongsan goes first out the window, securing himself on the makeshift rope that stretches to the next building. "if we can get to the next building, we can hop the roofs until we reach the end of the hoard," he explains before he starts crossing. "I'm gonna go first, so I can hook the rope on the next building. you guys just have to shimmy across and hold the rope and I'll pull you into the window." everyone nods, and cheongsan begins to traverse the rope skillfully. onjo goes next, followed by mijin, hari, hroryeong, wujin, and now daesu is going, his movements cautious on the swaying rope. suddenly, as daesu has one foot out the window, namra suddenly shushes you, suhyeok, and daesu. everyone stills, holding their breaths as namra listens intently.
"he's coming up..." she says, her voice barely audible. your heart pangs with a mix of fear and tension as you hear that kyungho is coming up. you stand up straighter with suhyeok next to you, his eyes locked on the door, ready for whatever happens next with kyungho's approach. daesu pauses on the rope, looking back at you all with a tense expression.
SYNOPSIS âą locks and chains were made for a reason.
PAIRING âą lee suhyeok x male!reader
AU âą enemies-to-lovers au!
CONTENT WARNING âą this chapter contains; mention of dead person, betrayal, jealousy, feeling of unease, worriness, mentions of bullying, death, depression, some fluff, reoccuring ptsd, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]
NEXT I PREVIOUS
namra bursts up the stairs, every step pounding with urgency, and shoves herself into the restroom. the door slams hard behind her, lock snapping into place. she plants both hands on the sink, knuckles white, breath ragged, teeth grinding so tightly itâs almost painful. her mind screams for something, someone, between them, an ache too sharp to ignore.
she forces her gaze upward, slow and reluctant meeting the mirror. one eye stares back as it should, but the other⊠the skin around it is sinking, discolored, almost rotting. her body trembles, fingers digging deeper into the porcelain until a sudden crack splinters across the sinkâs edge. as she gasps, stumbles back while her chest is heaving fear flashes across her face then something darker swallows it. her hunger hits like a wave, ripping away the last threads of reason. she raises her wrist, hesitates for a heartbeat, then sinks her teeth in. the taste floods her mouth, hot and metallic, and two tears slide down her cheeks.
she canât remember the last time real food satisfied her - not that she hadnât tried. she used to eat it, pretend it worked, then slip away to purge it in silence. now, the thought of anything else is unthinkable.
namra waited in silence, the dimly lit hallway a stark contrast to the warmth of shared dinner conversations that had just ended hours before. with everyone retreating to their bedrooms, the creaks of closing doors and muffled sounds of settling into night routines filled the air. utilizing her extraordinary auditory senses, namra picked up on each faint movement, each soft click of a latch securing into place. once the stillness of nightfall enveloped the house, she summoned the courage to step out, her breaths shallow and trembling with an unspoken urgency. needing a reprieve from the closeness of others, she navigated quietly downstairs, avoiding creaky steps with practiced stealth. her intent was clear: the solitude of the roof, a place away from prying eyes and worried glances. there, she sought a moment to herself, not wanting to trouble you or anyone else with the nuances of her inner world.
the night wore on, shrouded in shadows and whispers of unspoken intentions. suhyeok, who had lain awake the entire time, his mind racing with the contours of a clandestine plan, turned to glance at cheongsan, wujin, and daesu. to his knowing gaze, they too were awake, their eyes reflecting a silent understanding. with a subtle nod, their plan sprang to quiet life.
they slipped out of their beds with movements honed to minimize sound, converging in the hallway where the night air seemed to hold its breath. suhyeok began mouthing the details of their mission, his lips forming words that only his cohorts could decipher. together, they padded downstairs with calculated steps, intent on avoiding kyungho's notice. unbeknownst to the quartet, kyungho had followed a similar nocturnal path hours earlier, drawn to the roof after catching sight of namra's ascent. now, on the rooftop, kyungho stood watch under the expanse of night sky, a silent observer to the darkness below.
the four boys navigated through the dimly lit aisles of the lower levels, their eyes scanning every shadow and corner for a glimpse of kyungho. suhyeok led the way, his gaze darting between stacks of snacks and household items, while cheongsan checked behind counters and daesu peered into corners.
wujin kept a watchful eye on the periphery, ensuring no unexpected movements from other parts of the place. however as they swept through each aisle, it became apparent kyungho was nowhere to be seen.
wujin, processing the absence of their target, gestured discreetly to the others. with a subtle nod towards the kitchen area, he motioned for them to head towards the freezer. the others followed wujin's lead without a word, their footsteps hushed as they converged on the cold storage, a place that seemed to hold a significance only they understood.
suhyeok gestured towards a door nestled within the freezer's interior, a door that seemed to lead into a deeper, colder compartment. the boys' eyes widened as they took in the sight of a giant chain and lock wrapped securely around the door handle, an imposing barrier that spoke of secrecy and restriction.
"i told you," suhyeok said, his voice low and grave, as the others exchanged looks of denial mingled with growing worry. cheongsan cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence, and directed wujin to search around kyungho's sleeping area for a key. daesu trailed behind wujin without needing instruction, prompting wujin to roll his eyes good-naturedly at the same-aged boy's propensity to follow without being asked.
meanwhile, in the biting cold of the freezer area, cheongsan and suhyeok's breaths misted visibly in the air. "where is he?" cheongsan whispered, his voice barely audible, as if afraid that speaking kyungho's name might summon him into their midst. suhyeok shrugged, then lightly knocked on the locked door.
"is anyone there? do you need help?" he asked softly, but there was no response this time there was no sound, not even a faint thud or movement from beyond the secured door.
meanwhile, daesu stood guard, his eyes darting between wujin who was rummaging through drawers near kyungho's sleeping area and the rest of the dimly lit surroundings. every 15 seconds or so, daesu would ask, "anything?" his voice low but persistent. each time, wujin would shush him, a hint of annoyance creeping into his gestures as he continued his search for the elusive key. finally, wujin dropped to his knees and began to ruffle through kyungho's sleeping bag with hurried movements. he lifted kyungho's pillow, and amidst the fabric, his fingers found a torn piece of paper a ripped picture of a teenage boy. wujin stared at the image, confusion etched on his face. he hesitated for a moment, weighing his next move, then slipped the picture into his pocket with a quiet deliberation.
wujin shifted a folded blanket lying near kyungho's sleeping area, and his fingers brushed against a small, metallic object. his eyes lit up as he grasped the small key.
"got it!" he whisper-shouted, a mix of triumph and caution in his voice. daesu's face broke into a smile, and he pumped his fist up with contained vigor, trying not to make too much noise. both boys turned quickly towards the freezer door, hurrying back to where suhyeok and cheongsan waited, still standing by the chained door of the deeper freezer. wujin held up the key as he approached, a look of anticipation on his face, and the others watched with held breaths, wondering what lay beyond the locked door.
suhyeok took the key from wujin, his gaze flicking behind them to ensure no one was approaching. satisfied with the clear hallway, he swiftly inserted the key into the lock wrapped around the freezer door's handle. with a soft click, the chain loosened, and suhyeok pulled the door open with a slight creak.
"wait, someone's gotta stand watch outside," cheongsan said, his voice low and serious. wujin nodded curtly, "got it," then without looking at daesu, he slapped the younger boy's arm, passing on the responsibility. daesu looked around slowly, confusion and a hint of unease crossing his face. "me?" he pointed to himself, a nervous gulp audible as he realized he'd been tasked with standing watch outside the freezer door.
daesu hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting between the others as he processed being chosen for watch duty. suhyeok, cheongsan, and wujin began to step into the deeper freezer, their movements cautious as they peered into the cold darkness beyond the threshold. daesu lingered outside, positioning himself near the doorway with a mix of reluctance and attempt to look vigilant. "keep an ear out," wujin murmured to daesu as the others vanished into the chill of the inner freezer, leaving daesu to guard the entrance. daesu nodded, swallowing slightly as he listened intently, his senses on alert for any sound of movement or approach in the quiet house.
inside the deeper freezer, suhyeok, cheongsan, and wujin looked around carefully, their breaths misting in the frigid air. shelves lined with frozen goods cast eerie shadows in the dim light, and the cold seemed to amplify the quiet. they scanned the cramped space but didn't see anyone - no sign of kyungho or any other presence. the air was heavy with the silence of frozen storage, and aside from the faint hum of machinery, there was no sound of movement or breathing aside from their own. cheongsan frowned slightly, his eyes lingering on the corners of the small room. "nothing," he whispered, voicing what the others were thinking. suhyeok nodded slowly, his gaze still searching the cold space as if expecting something to reveal itself.
suddenly wujin lost his footing and tripped over a tarp that was bunched up on the floor of the freezer. "shit!" he cursed as he fell hard onto his bottom, caught partially under the rumpled tarp. cheongsan and suhyeok turned quickly toward the sound, their eyes adjusting to see wujin struggling to get up.
as they looked closer, they noticed a foot sticking out from under the tarp wujin had tripped over. "who the hell even puts this in the middle of the walk-way...seriously?" wujin sighed, rubbing his backside as he scrambled out from under the tarp, not yet realizing the significance of what he had stumbled upon. cheongsan and suhyeok exchanged a look, their faces growing serious as they stared at the protruding foot, now the focus of their tense attention.
meanwhile, kyungho was leaning against the wall on the roof, a barrier designed to prevent people from jumping off. his arms were casually crossed, and he had a cool demeanor as he stood next to namra, who had her arms crossed over her chest. kyungho had been talking, but namra had been lost in her thoughts, not paying attention to his words.
"so i know how you feel" was the phrase that snapped her back to reality. she slowly turned towards him, her expression questioning. "..what?" she asked finally, breaking the silence of her thoughts. kyungho turned towards her and laughed at her reaction, his amusement evident. he pointed down to the street below, where a crowd of the undead still lingered. "they seem so stupid from up here, don't they?" he asked with a smirk. "you make any noise, anything at all, and they just follow you all the way home." he laughed again, turning towards namra with a smile. "just be happy you're still alive, namra," he said, trying to comfort her. "and not down there..." he trailed off as namra looked down, her gaze following his implication, "with them."
namra gave kyungho a confused look, her expression a mix of uncertainty and slight disconnection from his words. kyungho ushered them to head back downstairs and inside, away from the rooftop's night air. as they descended, kyungho told namra to get some sleep, his voice casual but with a hint of concern.
namra caught a glimpse of someone running upstairs out of the corner of her eye, but she ignored it, her focus on kyungho's words. she nodded at him as he said goodnight, and she headed upstairs while kyungho laid down by the now empty register counter, a spot that seemed to be his makeshift resting place. as namra headed to her room, she could hear whisperings coming from the boys' room, but they were all talking over each other in hushed tones. she couldn't make out what they were saying amidst the overlapping voices. she decided to ignore it and at least try to sleep, even though she hadn't been able to get more than 2 hours of sleep since she felt like she didn't need it anymore. yet she still tried to rest, her mind processing the oddities of the night.
meanwhile, in the boys' room, the four of them whispered frantically over one another, their hushed voices urgent. "did you put everything back where it was?" cheongsan asked, his eyes wide with concern. wujin nodded frantically, his movements quick. daesu whispered anxiously, "where do we even go? the streets are full of zombies!" cheongsan tried to calm his bigger friend down, his voice a soothing whisper amidst the tension.
"anywhere is better than being trapped here with him," suhyeok answered immediately, his words laced with a mix of fear and determination. "what do we do?" wujin asked, his voice terrified, "he's downstairs," he added, emphasizing the danger of their situation. cheongsan thought for a second, his gaze drifting towards the big window in the room. "we've scaled buildings before..." he trailed off, a plan beginning to form in his mind as the others watched him, their breathing hushed in anticipation.
you suddenly awaken to the sensation of large, gentle hands touching you one on your shoulder, the other on your waist. the hands squeeze softly and then release, a tender touch that pulls you from sleep. "y/n..." a low whisper speaks your designation softly, the voice barely audible but intimate. the whisper makes you turn your head towards the sound, your eyes adjusting to the dim light of the room as you try to focus on who is speaking to you. the touch is gentle, almost careful, and you sense a presence close beside you in the darkness.
you realize it's suhyeok touching you, his hands having awakened you with a gentle grip on your shoulder and waist. you slowly sit up in bed and stretch your legs, confusion on your face. "what's wrong?" you ask, your voice soft from sleep. suhyeok's face comes close to yours, his expression serious in the dim light. "we're leaving," is all he says, his voice low and urgent. before you can react much, suhyeok picks you up out of bed like a bride in a swift, gentle motion, and sets you down gently on your feet, standing up. "what?" you ask a bit louder now, confused by the sudden movement. suhyeok shushes you quietly, his finger to his lips. "I'll explain when we're safe, but you need to change and get your things. wujin's waking up the girls," suhyeok explains in a hushed tone.
you squint in the dim light and look over to see cheongsan by the open window, poking his head out and looking left and right. he's making some kind of rope out of what looks like tied-together sheets or fabric, his movements efficient as he prepares for something.
you quickly grab some clothes and change right then and there, hurried by the tension in the air. suhyeok begins helping cheongsan with the makeshift rope by the window as they discuss something together in hushed tones. "where's daesu?" you ask, looking around and whispering. "in the bathroom as usual," is all cheongsan says without looking away from his task, his focus on securing the rope.
they continue to plan out their next move, glancing down at the zombies below through the window. you've never been more confused in your life - just a few hours earlier, everything had been fine. what could've happened to cause this sudden urgency? you quickly pull your pants up as the wooden sliding door opens, revealing all the sleepy girls and wujin. they come into the room, and instantly everyone looks panicked. "where's y/n?" hari asks quickly, her eyes scanning the room. wujin points to you in the corner, and quickly all the girls come towards you in concern. they're clustered around you, faces filled with worry, but you're so confused about what's going on.
onjo grabs your hands, her grip gentle but her expression concerned. "you okay?" she looks up at you with eyes that are more tired than just sleep, like they've seen more than they should in a short span.
"yes? why wouldn't i be?" you ask, your voice laced with confusion as you look towards namra. namra is talking to cheongsan, and she has a serious look on her face like she's listening intently for something. her gaze is focused outward, toward the window perhaps, and her lips are pressed in a thin line as she nods slightly at something cheongsan says. the air in the room is thick with tension, and everyone seems to be waiting for something to happen, their movements hushed but urgent. onjo doesn't let go of your hands yet, her eyes searching yours for something.
you speak up, "wait, what's..." but before you can finish your question, daesu enters the room. everyone turns quickly toward the door, then feels a sigh of relief as they see it's just daesu. you couldn't get to finish your question, as hari just says, "stay behind me at all times," like the older sister she is. quickly getting frustrated why everyone but you knows something, you quickly betray her words and let go of onjo's hands. you squeeze past the girls to cheongsan.
"what the hell is going on?" you finally ask, which makes everyone freeze toward you. cheongsan opens his mouth to speak but quickly looks back at suhyeok, passing him the responsibility to calm you and keep you quiet. "i told you iâll explain when we're safe," suhyeok whispered with his hands out to calm you. "yeah, before i knew everyone else knows, so just tell me," you whisper to him with your arms crossed, annoyed. suhyeok's expression is a mix of calm and caution as he tries to placate you without giving too much away in front of the others.
suhyeok sighs at your stubbornness, his breath a quiet exhale in the tense air. "kyungho is not the person you think he is," he says, his words dropping like a stone into the room's growing unease. you look up at him after he speaks with annoyance, your eyes narrowing slightly. "you could use specifics," is all you say, your voice firm with a hint of irritation. he sighs again, "I'm not telling you more until-" but you cut him off, your words sharp with a mix of confusion and frustration. "do you think I'm a kid or something? that I can't handle it?" you step forward slightly, your movement emphasizing your words in the cramped room. the room's filling with tension as everyone watches the exchange. "you know I don't think that," suhyeok speaks more softly, trying not to start another argument with you. his eyes plead for understanding in the dim light.
"he has a right to know," hroryeong finally speaks as she has her arm hooked with onjo now. "thank you," is all you say as you stare at suhyeok waiting, your gaze unyielding as you expect him to continue.
daesu and cheongsan talk about the potential escape plan in hushed tones while suhyeok sighs, his eyes locked on you. "he's keeping a body in the deep freezer," he bluntly says, his words dropping like a bombshell into the tense air. you stare at him a moment, confused. "so?" you say, your tone casual despite the gravity of suhyeok's revelation. everyone is shocked by your question, their faces a mix of disbelief and concern. "so?" suhyeok copies you in shock, his voice rising slightly in incredulity. "it might've been a loved one he lost. people grieve differently," you try to give a reasonable explanation, your words attempting to rationalize kyungho's actions.
"y/n..." wujin chimes in, his voice hesitant. "it looked like..." he pauses to breathe as he looks sick thinking about it. "it looked like he had been...eating him." wujin's words shock you as you blink quickly, trying to come up with yet another excuse for kyungho's actions. the room falls into a heavy silence after wujin's words, the implication hanging in the air like a challenge to your defense of kyungho.
flashes of when you first met kyungho in the bike store come to your mindâmoments of him being kind, helpful, and somehow endearing. you can't, don't want to believe he could do such a thing. the memories of his smiles, his help when you needed it, and especially the moments where his lips landed on yours make your hands fly up involuntarily. you begin wiping your lips urgently, a mix of shock, disgust, and disbelief on your face. you sit on the bed nearest to you, looking down in a daze, trying to process the accusations about kyungho. "so he's a halfbie right?" hroryeong asks to confirm, her voice cutting through your thoughts. mijin nods, her expression serious. "he's gotta be, or he's just a crazy ass cannibal," she says with her arms crossed, her words adding to the growing unease in the room about kyungho's nature and actions. the tension in the room thickens as everyone waits for your reaction, the whispers about kyungho hanging heavy in the air.
namra speaks up, her voice low but carrying weight in the tense room. "he told me something weird the other day. he told me the undead were stupid. that they'd follow you anywhere as long as you made noise," she says, looking around at the others as she recounts kyungho's words. then she looks at suhyeok, "all the way home," she mimicked kyungho's words. daesu gasps, his reaction sharp in the hushed atmosphere.
"you're saying...he's been leading these zombies here every night?" he questions, his voice filled with a mix of horror and realization as he looks down out the window. below, many of the zombies are gargling and bouncing off one another, their undead movements grotesque in the dim light. the implication of kyungho's actionsâpurposefully leading zombies to their locationâsends a chill through the group, making them glance at each other with growing fear and suspicion about kyungho's intentions downstairs.
you shake your head, trying to deny the dark picture forming about kyungho's actions. "that doesn't make sense. why would he do that? he's trying to protect us?" you say, attempting to appease the group's growing suspicions and fears. everyone stays silent at your question, then just stares at you with a mix of concern and understanding. the realization dawns on you slowly, like a shadow creeping in. "he's trying to trap us..." you gulp, the words barely out of your mouth as the implication hits you like a cold wave. the group's eyes seem to agree with this new understanding, their faces tense with the thought of being trapped with a potentially dangerous kyungho downstairs, and zombies swarming outside. the air in the room thickens with fear and the urgency of their situation.
the tension in the room spikes as the realization of kyungho potentially trying to trap you all sinks in. everyone exchanges nervous glances, their thoughts racing with what to do next about kyungho's suspicious behavior and the zombies outside. suhyeok steps closer to you, his voice low. "we need to get out of here. now." he says, urgency in his tone as he glances toward the window where cheongsan had been making the rope. cheongsan nods in agreement, checking the makeshift rope's security one more time.
"we'll go across using this. try to get to a safer place," he says, his eyes scanning the group. the girls look scared but determined, onjo clinging slightly to hroryeong. "what about kyungho?" you ask, your voice barely above a whisper, the thought of confronting or avoiding him hanging in the air. suhyeok's jaw clenches. "we deal with him when we have to. priority is getting out alive."
cheongsan goes first out the window, securing himself on the makeshift rope that stretches to the next building. "if we can get to the next building, we can hop the roofs until we reach the end of the hoard," he explains before he starts crossing. "I'm gonna go first, so I can hook the rope on the next building. you guys just have to shimmy across and hold the rope and I'll pull you into the window." everyone nods, and cheongsan begins to traverse the rope skillfully. onjo goes next, followed by mijin, hari, hroryeong, wujin, and now daesu is going, his movements cautious on the swaying rope. suddenly, as daesu has one foot out the window, namra suddenly shushes you, suhyeok, and daesu. everyone stills, holding their breaths as namra listens intently.
"he's coming up..." she says, her voice barely audible. your heart pangs with a mix of fear and tension as you hear that kyungho is coming up. you stand up straighter with suhyeok next to you, his eyes locked on the door, ready for whatever happens next with kyungho's approach. daesu pauses on the rope, looking back at you all with a tense expression.
I am Mahmoud Hamam. Most of those in this application have heard my name or know me because I frequently publish about my family in Gaza, but now I will explain to you completely who I am.
About Mahmoud: A 21-year-old engineering student from Gaza. I am ambitious and passionate. I love my education and my work. I have a beautiful, conservative, and friendly family.
I was working as a freelancer before October 7th, but with the war I lost my job and left my home heading to the southern Gaza Strip. I lived the worst months of my life searching for my life between transporting water, feeding my family and escaping death. I wasted two years of my life without a goal, just escaping death. I got my expenses and my familyâs expenses from your donations, but now I am searching for my dream again in these circumstances.
I created the Isnad initiative, which aims to help students in Gaza who lost their dreams, just like me!
Today I am proud to have helped more than 70 students complete their education!!
But today! I work in the initiative for 6 hours a day, but I can't stand on my feet after 3 hours. Why? Because famine killed us in Gaza. I feel nauseous quickly and I can't complete my day unless I get the nutritional supplement designated for children!! Can you imagine that?
Famine has filled the sector and prices are very high. My campaign has $30,000. I have been collecting this amount for two years and only $5,000 is left to reach my goal. I am really exhausted and hungry. The only thing left for me is you guys. Please allocate $10 for me! To give up some sweets and cigarettes today in exchange for providing me with some bread, is that possible?
Fundraiser || PayPal || Vetting 1 || Vetting 2
This is the time to show your sympathy for Gaza. Famine is deadly.
i want to apologize for my absence! i was handpicked for a great opportunity in my life that i cannot speak of and i was doing so much i could barely do any hobbies, i can finally begin writing again, as i am no longer apart of the project.
Who does Netflix think they are to make us wait this long? I really hope this whole wait is worth it.
Gyeongsu, Cheongsan and everyone else better be resurrected because DAMN
L Netflix
NO LITERALLYYYYY !! i better not be waiting this whole time just for them to kill off someone else important ..
like PLEASE. i wanna know more about namra and the 'others' she found. also POTENTIAL SPOILERS - i heard that onjo is the cure to the infected. so excited about her main character moment ~
how many chapters are left ? Cuz I don't want it to endđ
â„ïž great question ~ i would say 5-10 left for this season đ im waiting for the second season so i can continue this story ~ because i really want to continue this dynamic they have đ
HOWEVERRRRR, i thought season two would be out by now tbh... but...
SOOOO :(((
& i also have other ideas for other fanfics on here that i want to write for (itll be labeled xens other projects on the masterlist) that i want to be my main priority now. but if i can juggle three fanfic books then ill try to extend out this fic as much as i can but definitely not a whole year đ ill stop writing for it, maybe in june until season two shows up ~ WE SHALL SEE !!!
SYNOPSIS âą did you know raccoons are very intelligent and agile climbers?
PAIRING âą lee suhyeok x male!reader
AU âą enemies-to-lovers au!
CONTENT WARNING âą this chapter contains; isolation, anxiety, jealousy, feeling of unease, worriness, mentions of bullying, death, depression, some fluff, reoccuring ptsd, mentions of gore, blood, cannibalism [let me know if i missed any!]
NEXT I PREVIOUS
in the depths of the night, the cozy room remains shrouded in darkness, the only sounds the gentle hum of soft breaths and the occasional snores of the sleepers. suhyeok stirs, his body stirring from its earlier stupor, as he's jolted awake by a gnawing stomach ache and a parched throat. he sits up with a quiet groan, his coughing fit a low, stifled sound, as he struggles to clear his dry throat.
disoriented, suhyeok looks around, his eyes straining to pierce the darkness, and realizes that the night is still deep, the others around him lost in their own slumber. he swings his legs over the side of the bed, his movements cautious, as he takes stock of his surroundings. the soft breathing and snores of his companions create a soothing background hum, a reminder that he's not alone in the darkness. suhyeok's gaze drifts around the room, his thoughts foggy, as he slowly recalls the events of the previous night, and the realization dawns on him that he'd had far too much to drink.
suhyeok carefully stands up, his movements slow and deliberate, as he tries to shake off the lingering fogginess. he takes a deep breath, feeling a slight spin, but manages to steady himself. the dryness in his throat and the gnawing stomach ache serve as a stark reminder of his dehydration, and he knows he needs to quench his thirst.
with a quiet resolve, suhyeok decides to head downstairs to fetch a drink, hoping to find something to alleviate his discomfort. he takes small, cautious steps, trying not to disturb the others, as he makes his way to the door. the darkness seems to swallow him whole, but he navigates the room by feel, his hand brushing against the doorframe as he slips out into the hallway. the creak of the door is barely audible, and suhyeok pauses for a moment, listening to ensure he hasn't awakened anyone. satisfied that all remains quiet, he begins his descent into the darkness, his footsteps soft on the stairs as he heads toward the storeâs aisles in search of relief.
suhyeok's eyes scan the shelves, squinting in the dim light as he searches for a specific brand of juice that he knows will hit the spot. water won't cut it tonight; he needs something with more flavor, more punch. he opens door after door, revealing rows of chilled drinks, but his sought-after juice remains elusive. the soft hum of the refrigeration units and the faint clinking of bottles accompany his search, but he's starting to lose hope.
undeterred, suhyeok pauses, thinking for a moment as he tries to recall where else the juice might be stored. his gaze drifts to the door marked "employees only," and a spark of determination ignites within him. he remembers that the freezer in the back often holds additional stock, and he's willing to take a chance. with a quiet resolve, suhyeok pushes open the door, stepping into the unknown, as he ventures into the restricted area in search of his coveted juice.
suhyeok tiptoes across the floor, his eyes fixed on kyungho's sleeping form, wrapped snugly in a sleeping bag and turned away from him. despite the dimness, suhyeok's gaze lingers on the back of kyungho's head, his expression twisting into a faint glare. the tension in his body is palpable, but he doesn't linger, instead choosing to continue his quest for the elusive juice.
he pads silently toward the door marked "freezer," his movements economical and precise. as he pushes the door open, a faint rush of cold air greets him, and he slips inside, closing the door behind him. the dim lighting within the freezer forces suhyeok to squint, his eyes straining to adjust. he hugs himself, the chill of the freezer seeping into his bones, as he begins to scan the shelves.
his fingers brush against various containers, and he mutters a soft curse as he mistakes a carton of milk for his coveted juice. "shit," he breathes, his voice barely audible, as he returns the milk to its shelf. undeterred, suhyeok presses on, his determination to find the juice driving him to venture deeper into the freezer.
suhyeok's search for the juice continues, his eyes scanning the shelves as he moves deeper into the freezer. his foot kicks against something on the ground, and he glances down to see a piece of jerky lying forgotten. he kicks it again, his thoughts elsewhere, as he ponders the possibility of finding the juice.
his mind begins to wander, and he can't help but think of you, imagining how you'd be shivering even more than he is, given your smaller stature. the thought brings a faint smile to his lips, but it's short-lived, as his attention is drawn to the deep freezer door.
he remembered sootting it on the first day they arrived. the door is imposing, with a massive padlock and chain securing it in place. suhyeok's curiosity is piqued, as he recognizes the same type of padlock and chain kyungho uses for the front and back doors. he stares at the door, his mind racing with questions, and his hands seem to move of their own accord, reaching out to try the door. he attempts to open it, his movements cautious, as he tries not to make too much noise. the chain and knob jingle softly, but the door refuses to budge. suhyeok stands there, perplexed, wondering what could possibly require such extreme security measures. his eyes narrow, his mind whirling with possibilities, as he tries to make sense of the mysterious door.
suhyeok's attention returns to his original quest, and he begins to scan the shelves once more, searching for the elusive juice. his eyes roam over the rows of frozen goods, his fingers trailing over the containers as he searches.
but then, a soft thud echoes from the direction of the padlocked door. suhyeok's movements freeze, his head swiveling back towards the door. he stands stock-still, his ears straining to discern whether he actually heard the sound or just imagined it. the thud was so faint that suhyeok can't shake off the feeling that it might have been just his imagination playing tricks on him.
his gaze lingers on the door, his mind racing with possibilities. he waits, holding his breath, wondering if he'll hear anything else. the silence is oppressive, punctuated only by the soft hum of the freezer's machinery. suhyeok's eyes remain fixed on the door, his senses on high alert, as he tries to determine whether he really did hear something or not.
suhyeok's attention is now fully focused on the door, his curiosity and concern piqued by the second, louder thud. he quickly walks over to the door, his mind racing with the possibility that someone might be in distress. he knocks on the door, his ear pressed against it, waiting for any sound that might indicate someone's presence.
but there is only silence. undeterred, suhyeok takes a step back, his eyes fixed on the door, and prepares to force it open. his muscles tense, ready to propel him forward, but before he can make a move, he's startled by a presence behind him.
he spins around, his heart racing, to see kyungho's tired form standing in the doorway, watching him with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. kyungho's voice is laced with a groggy irritation, "why are you making so much noise?" he groans, his eyes narrowing slightly as he takes in suhyeok's position in front of the padlocked door.
suhyeok's gaze remains fixed on kyungho's face, his expression a mask of uncertainty and suspicion. he doesn't respond to kyungho's question, his silence speaking volumes as he continues to stare accusatorily at the other boy. kyungho's eyes narrow slightly, his brow furrowing as he tries to decipher suhyeok's behavior. "what is it?" he asks again, his tone a mixture of curiosity and concern.
but suhyeok remains silent, his eyes never leaving kyungho's face. kyungho's gaze drifts from suhyeok's face to his stance in front of the padlocked door, and a look of realization dawns on him. he lets out a low, amused laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "oh, did you hear something from there?" he asks, his voice laced with mirth, as he points to the door.
suhyeok remains silent, his eyes fixed on kyungho's face as he tries to process the situation. he glances briefly at the front of the freezer, gauging the distance, before returning his attention to kyungho.
kyungho, seeming to sense suhyeok's unease, launches into an explanation. "look, when i first got here, there was a bunch of raccoons running around. i tried to get them out of the store, but they'd find a way back in somehow." he pounds on the door, and the sound is followed by a few small thuds, as if something is scurrying around inside. suhyeok's eyes widen slightly, but he remains frozen in place, holding himself and listening intently.
kyungho's voice is laced with amusement as he continues. "i had to lock them up in here, otherwise they'd eat all the food, man." he lets out a low chuckle, and suhyeok's gaze lingers on his face, searching for any sign of deception.
but suhyeok's exhaustion and thirst are starting to take their toll. his mind is foggy, and he's not thinking clearly. he looks at kyungho, and for a moment, he decides to believe him. "oh," he says, his voice barely above a whisper, as he coughs due to his parched throat. the sound is rough and dry, a testament to his desperate need for a drink.
kyungho's expectant gaze lingers on suhyeok, awaiting a response. after a moment, he asks, "were you looking for something?" his tone is casual, but his eyes betray a hint of curiosity. suhyeok clears his throat, wincing at the dryness, and rubs it gingerly before responding. "i... needed juice," he says hesitantly, his voice still rough from thirst. "i'm really thirsty."
kyungho's face lights up with understanding, and he nods enthusiastically. "oh! yeah," he says, as he bends down and retrieves a box from underneath a shelf. suhyeok's eyes widen slightly as kyungho rips the box open with his bare hands, the cardboard tearing apart with ease.
suhyeok's brows furrow in surprise, his mind struggling to comprehend kyungho's display of strength. he knew kyungho was strong, but this seemed excessive. a faint sense of unease creeps up suhyeok's spine as he watches kyungho rummage through the box, his movements fluid and effortless.
kyungho's hands move swiftly through the contents of the box, his fingers closing around a familiar shape. he pulls out a carton of juice, the same brand and flavor suhyeok been searching for. "aha!" kyungho exclaims, a triumphant smile spreading across his face. "i knew we had some stashed away." suhyeoks eyes widen in surprise, his thirst-addled brain struggling to comprehend how kyungho had managed to find the exact juice he was looking for. he takes the carton from kyungho, his hands closing around it gratefully. "thanks," he says, his voice still rough from thirst.
kyungho nods, his smile still plastered on his face. "no problem, man. now, how about we get you hydrated?" he suggests, gesturing towards the carton of juice. suhyeok nods, already
twisting open the cap and raising the carton to his lips.
as suhyeok takes a long swig of the juice, he can't help but shiver. the cold liquid seems to spread through his body, exacerbating his chill. he hugs himself, trying to warm up, but his teeth continue to chatter.
kyungho notices suhyeok's shivering and nods sympathetically. "yeah, we should probably head back to bed," he says, his voice low and soothing. "it's not morning yet, and we don't want to be zombies tomorrow."
suhyeok nods in agreement, not laughing at kyunghoâs joke, still shivering. he hands the carton of juice back to kyungho, who takes it and begins to close the box. as kyungho moves to leave, suhyeok follows, his eyes fixed on kyungho's back. despite the strangeness of the situation, suhyeok feels a twinge of unease towards kyungho for finding him the juice and for being concerned about his well-being.
suhyeok makes his way back upstairs, his footsteps quiet on the stairs. as he reaches the top, he slides open the door to the boys' room, but hesitates for a moment, peering inside to make sure everyone is asleep. his gaze sweeps across the room, taking in the familiar shapes of his friends' sleeping forms.
his eyes come to rest on your sleeping figure, and for a moment, he feels a sense of ease wash over him. seeing you safe and sound seems to calm his nerves, and he feels a small sense of relief. but his concern for everyone's safety isn't quite assuaged, and he finds himself hesitating, wondering if he should check on the girls as well. after a moment's deliberation, he decides to err on the side of caution and slides open the door to the girls' room, peeking inside to make sure everyone is accounted for. he scans the room quickly, taking in the familiar shapes of the girls' sleeping forms. everyone seems to be present and accounted for, and suhyeok feels a sense of relief wash over him. satisfied that all is well, he quietly closes the door and heads back to the boys' room, ready to try and get some rest.
suhyeok slips back into the boys' room, trying not to make any noise as he makes his way to his bed. he carefully climbs in, trying not to disturb daesu, who is still fast asleep. as he settles in, he can't help but feel a sense of unease still lingering in the back of his mind.
despite his exhaustion, suhyeok finds it difficult to shake off the feeling that something is off. he tries to focus on the sound of wujinâs gentle snores, but his mind keeps wandering back to the strange noises he heard in the freezer, and the unsettling feeling that he's being watched. as he lies there, he can't help but wonder if he's just being paranoid, or if there's really something to be worried about. he tries to calm his racing thoughts, telling himself that everything is fine, but the sense of unease persists, making it difficult for him to drift off to sleep.
suhyeok's eyes remain wide open, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as he tries to calm his racing thoughts. he takes slow, deep breaths, attempting to relax his tense muscles. but his mind refuses to quiet down, and he finds himself replaying the events of the night over and over in his head. as he lies there, he becomes aware of the sound of his own heartbeat, pounding in his ears. he tries to focus on the sound, using it as a distraction from his wandering thoughts. but even the rhythmic beating of his heart can't calm his mind, and he finds himself growing more and more restless by the minute. just as suhyeok is starting to feel like he'll never be able to fall asleep, he hears a faint rustling sound coming from wujinâs direction. he turns his head, watching as wujin stirs in his sleep, his eyes fluttering open. suhyeok's gaze meets wujinâs, and for a moment, they just stare at each other.
wujinâs eyes meet suhyeok's, and for a brief moment, they share a silent understanding. wujin sends suhyeok a nod, a small, reassuring gesture that seems to say, "everything's okay." and with that, wujinâs eyes drift shut once more, and he begins to breathe deeply, lost in sleep.
suhyeok watches wujin for a moment, feeling a pang of disappointment. he had been on the verge of telling wujin about the strange feelings he'd been having, about the noises in the freezer and the sense of unease that lingered in the back of his mind. but something holds him back. perhaps it's the fact that wujin seems so peaceful, so calm, that suhyeok doesn't want to disturb him. or maybe it's the fear of being told he's just being paranoid, that there's nothing to worry about. whatever the reason, suhyeok decides to keep his concerns to himself, and instead, he lies back down, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.
morning light streams through the window, illuminating the empty room. suhyeok wakes up with a start, disoriented and confused. he looks around, expecting to see wujin and the others, but he's alone. a sense of unease settles in the pit of his stomach as he realizes he's the only one in the room. he quickly throws off his covers and rushes to the window, his movements clumsy with sleep. he squints out into the bright sunlight, his eyes scanning the scene below. his heart sinks as he takes in the sight of even more zombies surrounding the building. the undead are packed in tightly, their hunched forms swaying precariously as they press against each other. the air is thick with their growls and snarls, a chilling cacophony that sends shivers down suhyeok's spine. he feels a cold dread creeping up his legs, his mind racing with the implications of this new development.
suhyeok's instincts kick in, and he quickly heads towards the door, his heart racing with anticipation. but he stops mid-step, his eyes darting back to the room as if searching for something or someone. his gaze lingers for a moment before he remembers his trusty bat.
he rushes back to his sleeping bag and grabs the bat, his fingers wrapping tightly around the familiar grip. with his bat in hand, he heads into the girls' room, pushing open the already ajar door. the room is empty, the beds disheveled, and the air thick with the sense of urgency. suhyeok's eyes scan the room, taking in the signs of a hasty departure. his brow furrows, and he lets out a low curse under his breath. where had everyone gone? and why had they left without him? with a growing sense of unease, suhyeok heads downstairs, his bat at the ready. he's prepared to face whatever dangers lie ahead, his senses on high alert as he descends into the unknown.
suhyeok's search becomes more frantic, his feet pounding against the floor as he runs through the aisles, his bat clutched tightly in his hand. he's no longer just looking for familiar faces; he's desperate to find anyone, to know that he's not alone.
"cheongsan!" he shouts, his voice echoing off the shelves. "namra, onjo?" he spins around, scanning the empty aisles, but there's no response. the silence is oppressive, and suhyeok can feel panic clawing its way up his throat. but then, your face pops into his mind, and his expression hardens, his jaw setting in determination. his eyes narrow, and he grits his teeth, a fierce resolve burning within him. "y/n!" he shouts, his voice ringing out through the empty store, a call to action, a declaration of his determination to find you, no matter what.
meanwhile, you stand on the rooftop with mijin, you're engaged in a hushed conversation about the possibility of hopping across the rooftops to escape the surrounding zombies. mijin's suggestion makes you chuckle, but your amusement is short-lived. a faint voice calls out, and your head snaps towards the group, your ears perked up. "what was that?" onjo asks, her brow furrowed in concern. you exchange a glance with namra, and you both say "suhyeok" in unison. without hesitation, you quickly and carefully make your way towards the fire escape, your heart racing with anticipation. you climb down the ladder, your movements swift and precise. as you reach the bottom, you hop off the ladder and pull open the door, steeling yourself for what you might find.
that's when you see suhyeok, his eyes wild and his bat at the ready. your hands fly up in a calming gesture, and you take a step back, trying to reassure him that you're not a threat. "woah!" you exclaim, trying to diffuse the tension. âwhat the hell are you doing?â you shout.
you watch as suhyeok's eyes narrow, his grip on the bat tightening. "where's kyungho?" he demands, his voice low and menacing. you can see the anger simmering beneath the surface, and you know you need to tread carefully.
"he's up on the rooftop with everyone else," you reply, trying to keep your tone calm and reassuring. just then, namra and mijin appear behind you, their faces set in determined expressions. mijin's eyes lock onto suhyeok, and she sneers. "put the bat down, you little shit," she says, her voice dripping with disdain. "before you hurt yourself." you quickly intervene, placing a calming hand on mijin's arm. "it's alright," you say, trying to soothe her. "suhyeok's just worried about kyungho. let's not escalate things." mijin's gaze lingers on suhyeok for a moment before she nods, seeming to relax slightly.
suhyeok's expression twists in annoyance as he reluctantly puts down his bat. "i'm not worried about kyungho, the hell with kyungho!" he exclaims, his words dripping with venom. you look at him with doe-eyed confusion, unsure of what to make of his outburst. but before suhyeok can continue, he catches himself, his eyes darting towards you as if searching for something. "i was worried about y..." he trails off, his voice barely above a whisper.
just then, kyungho appears from behind you, along with the rest of the group. "everything alright?" kyungho asks, his hand on your shoulder as he looks at you and suhyeok with concern. you're not sure what to say, but the look in suhyeok's brown eyes makes your chest feel weak. it's as if he's begging you to trust him, to believe that he's not being overly dramatic for nothing. you hesitate for a moment before forcing a smile onto your face. "everything's fine," you say, trying to sound convincing.
you quickly turn to namra and ask if she wants to help you make lunch for everyone. suhyeok looks taken aback, seemingly realizing for the first time that it's already noon. as you turn to namra, suhyeok's eyes linger on you, his gaze burning with an intensity that makes your heart skip a beat. you try to brush off the feeling, focusing on the task at hand. "yeah, let's get started on lunch," namra says, nodding in agreement.
as you and namra head towards the gimbap aisle, suhyeok's eyes follow you, his expression a mixture of frustration and concern. kyungho notices suhyeok's gaze and raises an eyebrow, but says nothing. mijin, on the other hand, seems to sense the tension in the air. she shoots suhyeok a warning glance before falling into step beside you and namra. "so, what's on the menu for today?" she asks, trying to lighten the mood.
you force a smile, trying to play along. "well, let's see what we can scrounge up," you say, scanning a sparse selection of canned goods and seaweed wraps. suhyeok's words still linger in your mind, and you can't help but wonder what he was going to say before he stopped himself.
suhyeok's eyes never leave yours as you pretend to focus on the food. but as soon as you're distracted, he slips away, his movements quiet and deliberate. you sense a purpose in his stride, and your curiosity is piqued. meanwhile, suhyeok seeks out daesu, wujin, and cheongsan, his expression serious as he whispers something in their ears. they exchange a concerned glance before nodding and following suhyeok upstairs.
the boys stand in a semi-circle around suhyeok, their eyes fixed on him with a mix of curiosity and concern. suhyeok slides the door closed, the sound of the wood gliding against the frame filling the tense silence. he then places his bat on the door, wedging it firmly in place to prevent any interruptions.
the boys wait with bated breath, their faces expectant. suhyeok hesitates, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for the right words. "okay. um, do you..." he trails off, his voice barely above a whisper. cheongsan takes a step forward, his brow furrowed in concern. "what is it? you said something's wrong?" he presses, his voice low and urgent.
suhyeok's eyes lock onto cheongsan's, and for a moment, he seems to be searching for a way to articulate his thoughts. suhyeok walks over to the window, his eyes fixed on something outside. "look!" he exclaims, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency. the boys gather around him, peering out the window. as they take in the sight, their expressions turn somber. the streets below are teeming with zombies, their numbers seemingly endless. suhyeok watches his friends' reactions, his eyes searching for any sign of understanding. "but there hasn't been any noise outside to attract them," suhyeok points out, his brow furrowed in concern. "isn't that weird?" he asks, but the others just stare at him blankly, waiting for him to make his point.
suhyeok's frustration grows, and he smacks his lips in annoyance. he walks away from the window, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something to help him explain. "last night, i went downstairs to the freezer to get something to drink," suhyeok begins, his words tumbling out in a rush. "that's when i heard banging, in the storage freezer inside. it was locked with a huge chain, and suddenly kyungho comes in and is telling me the thudding is random raccoons he couldn't get out of the store, so he locked them up." daesu tries to calm suhyeok down, placing a hand on his shoulder, but suhyeok shakes him off, his restlessness growing. "you guys don't get it," he says, his voice rising in desperation. "something's wrong with him."
suhyeok's words hang in the air, and the room falls silent. the boys exchange uneasy glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. "what are you talking about, suhyeok?" cheongsan asks, his voice calm and measured. "kyungho's been helping us out a lot. why would you think something's wrong with him?" suhyeok's eyes flash with frustration. "that's exactly what i'm saying," he says, his voice rising. "he's been too helpful. too perfect. and that story about the raccoons... it doesn't add up." wujin frowns, his brow furrowed in thought. "i don't know, suhyeok. maybe you're just being paranoid."
suhyeok's face twists in anger, but before he can respond, daesu intervenes. "hey, let's not jump to conclusions. suhyeok, can you tell us more about what happened last night? what exactly did kyungho say?" suhyeok takes a deep breath, his chest heaving with emotion. "he said... he said the raccoons were making the noise, and that he locked them up to keep them from getting out. but i know what i heard, and it wasn't raccoons."
suhyeok's words are laced with conviction, and the boys listen intently, their expressions thoughtful. wujin rubs his chin, his eyes narrowed in consideration. "i don't know, suhyeok," wujin says slowly. "it's possible that kyungho was telling the truth. maybe there were raccoons in the storage room." suhyeok shakes his head, his eyes flashing with frustration. "no, you didn't hear the noise," he says. "it was... it was something else. something that didn't sound right." cheongsan frowns, his brow furrowed in concern.
daesu's voice is gentle, but his words cut through the tension in the room. "suhyeok, maybe we should consider another possibility," he says, his eyes locked on suhyeok's. "maybe you're feeling a little... jealous." suhyeok's eyes narrow, his face twisting in denial. "what are you talking about?" he demands, his voice rising.
daesu's expression is calm, but his words are laced with a hint of insight. "kyungho's been paying a lot of attention to y/n, hasn't he?" he says, his eyes glancing in your direction. "maybe you're feeling a little left out, or worried that kyungho is getting too close to him." the room falls silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the boys. suhyeok's face is a mask of anger and denial, but he senses a flicker of truth in daesu's words. suhyeok's eyes narrow, his voice taking on a sharp edge. "what are you implying, daesu?" he demands, his words dripping with defensiveness. daesu holds up his hands, a calming gesture. "nothing, suhyeok, i'm just trying to understand what's going on," he says, his tone soothing.
but before daesu can continue, wujin chimes in, his voice laced with amusement. "i mean, suhyeok, come on man," he says, a hesitant grin spreading across his face. "you havent been making it exactly a secret. even kyungho called you out on it-" suhyeok's face goes beet red, his eyes flashing with embarrassment and anger. "shut your mouth," he growls, his voice menacing. "hey, let's not fight about this," cheongsan changes the subject and says. "we'll investigate and see if we can find any evidence to support suhyeok's claims." the boys nod in agreement, their expressions somber. suhyeok's eyes linger on kyungho's name, his mind racing with doubts and fears.
cheongsan clears his throat, his eyes scanning the room as he tries to steer the conversation back on track. "we need to come up with a plan to gather evidence. suhyeok, can you tell us more about what you heard in the storage room? any details might help."
suhyeok nods, his expression still tense, but his eyes locked on cheongsan's. "i heard banging, like something was trying to get out. and it was loud. i'm sure it wasn't just raccoons." cheongsan nods, his eyes lighting up with determination. "okay, that's a good starting point. daesu, can you check the room kyungho sleeps in and see if you can find any signs of what might have made that noise?" daesu nods, his face set in a serious expression. "i'll check it out. but what about kyungho? we can't just confront him without any evidence." cheongsan's eyes narrow, his mind racing with possibilities. "i'll think of something. for now, let's just focus on gathering as much information as we can. we'll meet back here in a few hours and compare."
no one else had been privy to the boys' plan to gather evidence against kyungho. it was a quiet, calculated effort, unfolding in the background while you and namra focused on something far more ordinaryâpreparing bibimyeon for everyone. the kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of spicy noodles, the tang of freshly poured orange juice cutting through the air. as you worked side by side, you couldn't help but glance at namra. her movements were precise, almost mechanical, but what caught your attention most was her complexion. there was a dullness to it, a lack of warmth that made you hesitate as you poured the juice into cups. after a brief internal debate, you decided to ask. âhave you eaten?â your voice was softer than usual, laced with an uncertainty you werenât used to feeling.
namra stilled, her hands pausing over the food as she turned her gaze toward you. her expression was unreadable, her silence stretching a second too long before she finally responded. âwhy?â it wasnât the answer you were hoping for. you let out a quiet breath, forcing a small smile as you tried to lighten the moment. âthe class president should know you could never answer a question with a question.â but she didnât smile back. not even a flicker of amusement crossed her face. instead, she just stared at you, her unreadable expression now unnerving. a small pit of unease settled in your stomach. something was wrong.
you swallowed hard, suddenly hyperaware of how quiet the room had become. the distant chatter from the others in the next room felt muffled, as if you and namra were sealed off in your own tense little world. ânamraâŠâ you tried again, keeping your tone light despite the way your fingers tightened around the juice carton. âiâm just asking becauseâwell, you donât look so great.â
her gaze flickered slightly, something unreadable flashing in her eyes before she turned back to the pot of noodles. âiâm fine.â but you werenât convinced. namra was always reserved, always composed, but this was different. her stillness felt heavier, her voice void of the usual quiet authority she carried as class president. you studied her for a moment, taking in the way her skin lacked its usual glow, how her hands lingered over the food without actually doing anything and your stomach twisted.
âyou should eat,â you urged, nudging a bowl toward her. âyouâve been helping everyone else, but whenâs the last time you had something yourself?â she exhaled slowly, the slightest hint of frustrationâno, restraintâedging her breath. finally, she lifted her eyes to yours, and for the first time, you saw it. hunger, but not the kind that a bowl of bibimyeon could fix. your fingers twitched, a deep instinctual fear stirring inside you as your mind pieced together what your heart already knew. namra wasn't just tired. she wasnât just skipping meals. she was fighting somethingâsomething bigger, something darker and you werenât sure if she was winning.
you werenât sure how to help her. in fact, you werenât even sure if help was what she needed.
your eyes flickered to the shelves lining the small convenience store, scanning the rows of neatly stacked ramen cups, bags of chips, and rows of neatly lined drinks in the fridge. under any other circumstance, you mightâve joked about how you could practically live off the placeâbut now, every brightly colored package looked useless. meaningless. nothing in here could satisfy her, not in the way she needed. you stole another glance at namra. she was unnervingly still, her fingers curled slightly on the edge of the counter as if she were bracing herself. her eyes were downcast, but you didnât miss the way her shoulders tensed when you shifted closer. ânamraâŠâ you tried again, softer this time. she inhaled sharply through her nose, like she was forcing herself to breathe, like she was grounding herself in somethingâanythingâthat would keep her tethered to who she was.
finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. âyou should go.â the words were simple. direct. but they hit you like a punch to the gut. go? leave her here like this? when she was clearly struggling? âiâm not leaving you,â you said, the words coming out firmer than you expected. ânot when youââ
âplease.â that stopped you cold. namra never begged. not for anything. not even now, when her entire body was trembling with restraint. you took a slow step back, hands clenching into fists at your sides. you didnât want to leave, not when she looked like she was barely holding herself together. but something in her voiceâsomething raw, almost desperateâtold you that staying might make things worse.
your heart pounded against your ribs, the weight of namraâs words pressing down on you like a vice. she wasnât just asking you to leaveâshe was warning you. you opened your mouth, ready to protest, to tell her that she didnât have to go through this alone, but then she lifted her gaze.
they held something feral, something barely contained beneath the surface, like a predator trying to convince itself not to strike. the flickering fluorescent light above only made it worse, casting sharp shadows across her face, accentuating the tension in her jaw, the tight grip she had on the counter. your instincts screamed at you to move, to put distance between you and whatever hunger was gnawing away at her from the inside. but another part of you, the part that still saw namraâthe class president, the quiet but dependable friendârefused to take that step.
ânamra,â you tried again, your voice gentler now, careful. âi know youâre scared.â her expression didnât change, but you saw the way her fingers twitched, like she wanted to reach for somethingâmaybe for you, maybe for anything that would remind her she wasnât just whatever this was turning her into.
âbut you donât have to do this alone,â you continued, even as a lump formed in your throat. âi wonât leave you.â her breath hitched, and for a moment, just a brief flicker of a second, you saw herâreally saw her. namra, not whatever was threatening to take over. but then she squeezed her eyes shut, and when she opened them again, the moment was gone. âyou donât understand,â she whispered. âi donât know how much longer i can control it.â her fingers curled tighter around the counter, her knuckles going white. âif you stayâŠâ she swallowed hard, looking at you like she already regretted what she was about to say. âi might not be able to stop myself.â a cold chill settled over you. this was no longer just about hunger, this was about survival. hers and yours. you hesitated, searching namraâs face for any sign that she might change her mind, but her expression was set. determined. and more than anythingâafraid. so, despite every instinct telling you to stay, you did as she asked.
you gathered the remaining food onto a tray, your movements slower than necessary, hoping she would stop you, that she would say she didnât want to be alone after all. but she didnât. without another word, you turned away, carrying the food to the other aisle where everyone was gathered. the moment you stepped in, the atmosphere shiftedâlighter, more normal, as if the weight of what was happening to namra didnât exist beyond the space she occupied. you glanced around, a frown tugging at your lips. âwhere are daesu and wujin?â before anyone could answer, you caught movement from the corner of your eyeânamra, rushing up the stairs without a word. your chest tightened, but you forced yourself to look away, knowing she needed space.
onjo, noticing your concern, placed a gentle hand on your arm. âtheyâre waiting for the shower,â she explained, her voice soft. âsuhyeokâs in there right now.â you exhaled through your nose, nodding along with a sigh. at least they were safe. for now. pushing away your unease, you sank down beside onjo and horyeong, setting the food between you. âthank you for this,â onjo said with a small smile, already reaching for a bowl. horyeong nodded in agreement, chopsticks in hand as she dug in. âseriously, this is good.â you chuckled lightly, the warmth of their appreciation cutting through the lingering tension in your chest. it felt normalâat least for a moment. but as you sat there, watching everyone eat, you couldnât shake the image of namra, standing alone in the dim light of the convenience store, her hands gripping the counter like she was holding on for dear life. deep down, you wondered, how much longer could she fight this? and when the time came⊠would she be able to win?
as you stirred your noodles absentmindedly, still lost in your thoughts about namra, mijinâs voice cut through the quiet hum of conversation. âi think wujin is starting to like me more and more,â she said casually, picking at her food with an air of confidence. âmust be because of how much of a mentor i am to the underclassmen.â you scoffed before you could stop yourself, barely holding back a smirk.
the sudden shift in topic was so jarring that you couldnât help but react. mijin, of course, was quick to notice. she narrowed her eyes at you, chopsticks pausing mid-air. âsomething funny?â
ânothing, nothing,â you said, lifting a hand in surrender, but the grin pulling at your lips betrayed you. âyeah, sure,â she huffed, crossing her arms. âlaugh all you want, but itâs true! heâs always following me around, asking me things, looking at me like Iâm some kind of wise, older role model.â she sighed dramatically, shaking her head. âi donât blame him. it must be hard being so impressed by someone like me.â onjo giggled beside you, while horyeong just shook her head, amused but unsurprised by mijinâs antics. you let out a chuckle, finally looking down at your bowl of bibimyeon. âyou should tell him that. see how he reacts.â
mijin smirked. âmaybe i will.â before you could fire back, footsteps echoed from upstairs. you straightened slightly, glancing toward the staircase, waiting for everyone to come down before taking your first bite. for now, this moment of laughter and normalcy was enough to hold onto. but in the back of your mind, you couldnât shake the feeling that it wouldnât last.
cheongsan and suhyeok finally made their way down the stairs, both looking noticeably refreshed, their damp hair clinging slightly to their foreheads. their change of clothes and relaxed postures made it obvious they had just showered. you smiled at cheongsan instinctively, expecting at least a small nod or some acknowledgment in return. instead, he barely glanced your way before looking off to the side and settling himself on the other side of onjo without a word. your smile faltered as your eyebrows knitted together in confusion. what was that about?
before you could dwell on it too much, horyeong spoke up. âwill hari be coming down soon?â cheongsan barely looked up from his food. âshe went to nap,â he said simply. ânot sure how long sheâll be out.â his voice was casual, but there was something about the way he spoke, how he stole a quick glance at you before focusing intently on his bowl, that made something stir in your chest. he was avoiding you. deliberately. you opened your mouth to say something, to maybe call him out on it, but then your eyes flickered around the room, and you realized someone else was missing. kyungho. your gaze swept over the group, but he was nowhere in sight. âwhere did kyungho head off to?â you asked, standing up as you continued scanning the room. no one answered right away. maybe they hadnât noticed. or maybe they just didnât care enough to. either way, you didnât wait around.
âiâll go find him,â you added, more to yourself than anyone else, before heading off. as you walked away, you missed the way horyeong smirked, leaning slightly toward onjo. âlook at them,â she whispered slyly. âworried about kyungho now, huh?â onjo only hummed in response, her expression unreadable as she watched you disappear down the next aisle.
as you disappeared down the aisle in search of kyungho, you remained completely unaware of the quiet tension settling between cheongsan and suhyeok. cheongsan cast a cautious glance toward his friend, subtle but deliberate, as if gauging his reaction to you getting up to look for kyungho. it was quickâbarely a secondâbut suhyeok caught it. suhyeok, who had been eating steadily, slowed his chewing ever so slightly. his eyes, sharp with quiet observation, narrowed just a bit as he focused on his food, saying nothing. instead, he took another bite, chewing slowly, allowing the silence to stretch. he didnât need to say anything right nowâbecause eventually, cheongsan would.
you weaved through the aisles, eyes scanning the dimly lit corners of the store. your footsteps were light against the tiled floor, the faint hum of the refrigeration units filling the quiet. just as you were about to check another section, you spotted him.
shaking off the thought, you crossed your arms. âthe foodâs ready whenever you are,â you told him. kyungho gave a slow nod, his gaze still lingering on the plant before he finally turned to face you fully. âalright,â he said. âiâll be there in a bit.â you studied him for a moment. there was something calmer about him now, more at ease than when you had first arrived at the store. maybe it was the small routine he had developed here, or maybeâjust maybeâit was the simple act of keeping something alive, even when everything else around you felt like it was falling apart.
you exhaled quietly, deciding not to push further. âdonât take too long,â you said, offering him one last glance before turning back toward the others. as you walked away, you could feel his eyes lingering on your back, but you didnât look back.
as you made your way back to the others, you couldnât shake the feeling of kyunghoâs gaze still lingering on you. it wasnât unsettlingâjust⊠curious. thoughtful, maybe. but you pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the faint hum of conversation as you approached the group.
cheongsan and suhyeok were still eating, though you noticed how cheongsan barely looked up as you sat back down in your spot next to onjo and horyeong.
âfind him?â onjo asked, glancing at you between bites. you nodded. âyeah, he was by the plants. he said heâll come in a bit.â horyeong hummed, a sly smile tugging at her lips. âworried about him, huh?â you rolled your eyes, reaching for your bowl. âi was just making sure everyone eats.â she snickered but let it go, turning back to her food. as the group continued eating, you stole a glance at cheongsan. he was still avoiding eye contact, his expression unreadable as he focused on his bowl. but now, with kyungho being brought up, you noticed the way his grip on his chopsticks tightened just slightly, a small but noticeable shift.
suhyeok noticed too. his eyes flickered between you and cheongsan, lips pressing into a thin line. but, just like before, he said nothing. the atmosphere wasnât tense, not exactly, but there was something lingering beneath the surface, something unspoken that none of you seemed ready to address. and yet, as the minutes passed, the conversation carried on, laughter bubbling up here and there, momentarily pushing away the weight of everything unspoken. for now, that was enough.
