Chae Rin's POV
As the group prepared to leave I had excused myself and Cheong San for a few minutes, asking On Jo to just stay with the others for a few seconds as I needed to talk to Cheong and heading back under the self-made roof I barely gave him a chance to talk before I placed my lips on his.
He didn't kiss back for a few seconds, until he did, moving his lips along with mine as his hands grabbed my face, mine going around his waist. Out of breath we pulled apart.
"What was that for?" He asked breathless.
"A reason to stay alive" I whispered against his lips with a smile.
He chuckles with a breath, pecking my lips once more before we make our way back to the group.
Grabbing onto On Jo's hand again as Cheong San opened the roof door and peeked around.
"Don't let go of my hand, okay?" I whisper to On Jo who nods with a small smile.
We all make our way downstairs, each behind one another.
Cheong San heading first as he checks around.
"damn it" He cusses.
"What is it?" I ask peeking over, half a body laying by the bottom of the stairs.
"Damn... brutal" I whisper.
"come on" I tug onto On Jo's hand.
"What's wrong?" Joon Yeong asks.
"Hold on" Cheong San whispered back.
"Are they there?"
Thunder strikes, I clutch onto my ears, the zombies groaning as they move away, Cheong San grabs my hand pulling me down as he tries to soothe me.
Wu Jin... being well, Wu Jin slipped, almost falling had Joon Yeong not grabbed him.
"Be quiet" I whispered alarmed as he had let out a scream.
Thankfully the zombies didn't hear it.
"Let's go" Cheong San said.
We had finally left the school building and were hiding by a small wall.
"I'll lure that zombie, and you go that way, use that time to go out" Cheong San mouthed to me.
"Never. You're coming with" I scowl as I mouth it back.
"I'll lure that zombie and go..." I raise my fist hissing at him.
"I told you no sacrifices. Do you want me to hit you to death?!" I mouthed angrily.
I feel On Jo tap me on the arm and look at her, gripping onto Cheong San tighter so that he couldn't do his plan.
"Let's just go along the wall and cross over there" she said.
"Good idea, okay. Let's go" I smile at her.
Turning to Cheong San I touch his thigh, he turns to me and I tell him the same. His eyes are unsure, but I continue to stare at him pleadingly, and he finally nods, looking at my hand as I place it on top of his.
"Let's move along the wall" Cheong San mouths to the group as he moves to cross over the railing as sticks close to the windows but low so that nobody could see him.
On Jo thankfully grabbing onto my shoulders from time to time as thunderstruck and my vision often times blurred due to the pain of it
We were now besides a truck that had collided against the side of the school, its materials laid on the ground.
Cheong San crouched on the floor, our idea being to cross under the truck and go on our way.
"I'll go first" Dae Su proposed as he kneeled on the floor, Wu Jin and Joon Yeong following after him.
I watched as Cheong San stood up, my hand gripping his going high and looked at him, in a trance like state staring ahead.
I pulled onto his hand, but he didn't notice, and even when I tugged harder, he refused to look down, his eyes not once leaving whatever he stared at.
"Cheong San!" I whispered to him, desperately pulling at him.
"Mom?" I heard his ask, my eyes open in shock as I stare at the way his eyebrows furrowed, and I stood up.
In front of me was Mrs. Lee, Cheong San's mother. The restaurant's apron still tied around her as she cackled like a zombie.
I gasped as she lunched forward to bite us, in the middle of it letting go of the boy's hand.
"Mom" He repeated as he tried to climb over the truck.
"Cheong San!" I alarmingly called out to him as I pulled him back, his back leaning on the truck as he sat on the floor.
Meanwhile, we had no idea what was to happen next as Dae Su reached the other side of the truck, standing up in shock as he saw the zombie and pushed it away.
"What the hell? Fuck!" Dae Su cussed as he tried to get the zombie away from him.
I watched, unable to say otherwise as On Jo stood next to me, in just as much shock as I was.
"There's another zombie here!" Dae Su informed the group.
"Dae Su..." I murmured.
Cheong San stood up, watching as his friends who had just crossed the truck helped beating his poor zombified mother up.
"Stop it" Cheong San whispered, Chae Rin stared at him, confused as to what she should do to comfort the boy she had just minutes previously kissed.
"Stop it!" Cheong San yelled as he jumped over the truck.
"Cheong San! Cheong San stop!" I screamed following him over the truck as he raced to push his friends away, punching Dae Su.
"What are you doing?!" Dae Su asked him confused as he tried to dodge his friend's hits.
"You son of a bitch!" He yelled at Dae Su.
"Stop!" I grabbed at Cheong San, but he pushed me away.
Wu Jin and Joon Yeong stepping for Dae Su as they tried to kill the zombie.
"Stop it!" Cheong San screamed again.
As Cheong San headed to stop his friends I grabbed him again, clinging to his back as Su Hyeok finally grabbed his shoulders.
"Let go!" He yelled as he trashed around.
"Get the fuck off me" he continued, trying to push the two of us away.
"Mom!" He screamed, crying his heart out as he watched her get beat up by Wu Jin and Joon Yeong who finally stopped in their tracks.
"Mom..." he repeated, brokenly falling to the floor as the woman tried to make her way to him.
"We have to go" Nam Ra said.
"Run!" Su Hyeok screamed.
"Cheong San, we have to go" I begged him.
"Get yourself together" Su hyeok screamed at him.
"Please, for a few minutes, let's go" I cried, grabbing his hand tight as On Jo helped me to carry him.
Su Hyeok moving to steady Nam Ra.
"Mom... Mom!" He cried out again as he looked at her.
I stood quiet, there is nothing that I could say that could comfort him.
I didn't know what it was like to lose a parent to zombies, much less to see them after, knowing that they were at the school to save me...
What do you tell someone who went through that?
As we continued to run, I suddenly stopped when I heard Wu Jin turn back.
"Wu Jin!" I called as he raced back, stopping Cheong San in the meantime.
"No more sacrifices... No more" I murmured, but I couldn't help but...
"On Jo, grab him, I'll be back. Hyo Ryeong's gone, and so is Wu Jin!" I told her, Cheong San numbly moved from a shoulder to another.
"Chae Rin..." he whispered, i turned back grabbing his face.
"I'll be back, I promise. I won't be long" I told him, searching his eyes for an emotion.
He nodded, and I looked at On Jo, nodding at her as I patter her shoulder.
Racing back, I watched as Wu Jin threw himself at a zombie to stop him from attacking Hyo Ryeong who was on the floor.
"Ya!" I yelled grabbing both Hyo Ryeong and his hands.
"Get up!" Wu Jin hurried her, as the zombie got up he pushed both me and her down.
But as it screeched I lifted my head up to watch as his sister stood there, confidently pointing her bow at another one behind us.
"Get up" he repeated softly.
"Ha Ri" Wu Jin called out in shock, as she continued to protect us from incoming zombies.
"Ha Ri!" I cried thankful to see her.
"Wu Jin. Go!" she told him, pushing him to get moving.
"Why are you here?" Wu Jin asked his sister confused.
"Hurry and go!" She pushed him.
"Chae Rin, go ahead. Help them!" She ushered, I nodded, grabbing onto the other side of Hyo Ryeong.
Wu Jin leaving her side to get to his sister, pulling her with them.
Having reached the sport's pavilion I stood still, my ears, out of the rain working as they did when it wasn't raining, and I could hear it all...
But what I heard, was not human.
"Leave, Hurry" I murmured quietly to Wu Jin who was besides me.
"Run away" Nam Ra said from the other side.
"What do you mean?" Wu Jin asked.
"Run!" I repeated breathing heavily.
Thunder stroke down, lighting up the big room, dozens of zombified athletes inside.
"Over here!" Ha Ri yelled, everyone running inside the room.
"Ha Ri!" Wu Jin yelled leaving the room.
"Ya! Wu Jin!" I screamed grabbing him and hurriedly bringing, him, his sister and the other girl inside, as the girl tried to get to a boy that had been with Ha Ri's group and was now sacrificing himself for his own friends.
Panting I leaned my back on the door next to Su Hyeok.
"Are you okay?" I asked him, he nods, his head facing Nam Ra who stood by Hyo Ryeong.
"Cheong San" I whisper, my eyes going around the room before I spot him in the back next to On Jo who nods to come closer.
I basically raced over, grabbing onto his hands as she left his side.
"Cheong San" I whisper, but he doesn't look up, eyes unfazed as he stared at nothing.
"Hey, Cheong San..." Dae Su calls out to him from besides me.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know it was your mom. I'm sorry" Dae Su quietly apologizes.
As if he lost strength he falls to the ground, eyes still open in shock.
Poor Dae Su watches him in pity as I lower myself to the ground pulling him into my embrace.
He finally breaks, then are there, as he pants, crying softly onto my arm.
"It'll be okay" I whisper as I run my hand through his hair, my head on top of his.
Hours go by, and he's done crying, he fell asleep for a while, exhausted.
And as I watched him sleep I too fell asleep, leaning my head on the lockers behind me as his head stayed on my shoulder.
~~~~~~~~~~
I blink tiredly, opening my eyes just slightly as I realize that we had changed positions, lifting my head up I look at him, no longer laying his head on my shoulder, and instead I was using his as a pillow.
He smiles softly and I smile back.
"I thought about it all night. What do I do? How do I keep living?" He whispered.
"You have to find a reason to, a glimpse of hope. A cure. Let's talk about everything after this is over. After we take a shower and eat. We'll have all the time in the world" I smiled, he nodded gulping.
"Whatever happens..." I grab onto his hand, laid on his lap.
"Don't give up. Okay?" I tell him, to which he nods.
"Okay" He replied, looking back at me.
"Never. Let's make it a promise" I softly say, extending my pinky.
"Hm... You too" He hums, linking his own pinky with mine. I hum.
"Me too" I smile, I look to the front but as time goes by I feel his stare burning on my side and look back at him questioning his look.
"What?" I ask, he shakes his head, pecking my lips quickly before he at the others still sleeping.
"Why'd you kiss me?" I ask shocked, my hand reaching to touch my lips.
"I wanted to. Thank you... for comforting me" he smiles softly, I smile back once more.
"I'll always be here. After we get somewhere safe, let's go out"
"All of a sudden?" he chuckles. I nod.
"After it's all over" he repeats, looking ahead, a bitter expression on his face, as he likely recalled what he had seen the night before.
I watch him carefully, hand on his as I try to be the best trying to comfort him.
A while goes by and I now stood staring at a window, Nam Ra getting up to be by my side.
"You feel it too?" I ask her, she nods, understanding what I meant.
"What is it? Do you see something?" Su hyeok asks.
"The smell got stronger" she states.
Dae Su's loud sniffing was heard as he sniffed, both around the room and himself.
"I don't smell anything" he says confused.
"I think they're all coming this way. The smell is really strong" I murmur heading to sit down besides Cheong San as Nam Ra sat with Hyo Ryeong, Joon Yeong and Dae Su.
"We're trapped in here. There's no way to leave" Joon Yeong says exhausted as he stared at the wall.
"Don't say that" Hyo Ryeong asked of him.
"But it's true. There's no way" He repeated.
"Joon Yeong, how's the cut on your nose? Does it still hurt?" I ask leaning a bit into Hyo Ryeong's lap as I looked at it.
"Huh? Ah, yes. It doesn't hurt anymore" He smiled, I smile back.
"When we're out, you should buy contact lenses. You look really good without glasses" I say, clicking my tongue as I point at him. He laughs.
"Stop flirting with everyone" On Jo joked.
"I'm not! I just think of the future and consider every choice" I say faking offense.
"Oh really? Enlighten us" Su Hyeok laughs.
"Ok, so. If I were to have a kid with you, which I won't. They'd probably hate socks too, and have smelly feet. Pass" I smiled, he scowled. Nam Ra snickers.
"Dae Su, loves food. He eats really well too, and he can sing. Chances are I'd have a kid who loves cooking, isn't picky with food and sings well" I say, he smiles.
"I have to reject the offer" he sasses.
"I wouldn't choose you anyways" I stuck my tongue out.
"Wu jin..." I began, he looked hopeful.
"Well, the baby would have a cool and sexy aunt who's amazing in archery. How cool is that" I said enthusiastically, Ha Ri laughed, but Wu Jin showed his, very special finger.
"Joon Yeong, the greatest choice If I wanted someone who isn't like On Jo. Would have a smart kid, and would likely be cute, but for sure would be double sarcastic, because of me and his humor" I sigh, he nods agreeing.
"Too much work" he says.
"And then there's Cheong San, I mean besides the fact that it would be a pretty baby, it would be smart, agile and I would get free chicken for life" I smile, and he finally let out a genuine smile.
"You already get free chicken. What changes?" He asks raising his eyebrows.
"Uh... so, what changes is..." I drag out looking around the room.
"Whatever. Let them kill us if they want to" Dae Su says as he stands up, Nam Ra picking up a baseball bat.
"Ha Ri... You didn't get eliminated in the preliminaries, did you?" Wu Jin's voice breaks the dark mood in the room.
My head turns to look at Ha Ri, sitting next to Wu Jin, the new girl to their side.
"No. I made it" She replies looking ahead.
"You had a tournament. Why did you come to the school?" He questions the older woman not believing her words.
"Are you her brother?" The new girl asks, hands in her pockets.
"Yes. So?" Wu Jin boredly replied.
"She got a perfect score. She made it onto the national team. I saw her" she tells the boy who breaks into a smile, turning to his sister.
"Really?" he exclaims, the smile never falling.
"Yes. Really" she assures.
"Then you're really on the national team? Do mom and dad know?" He asked her.
"How could they? Look at what's going on. She jumped out of the team bus and ran here to find you. Hey, kid." She hissed at the end.
"You better be good to your sister" She scolded.
"Be good to me too" she said, head hung high in pride.
I watch as Wu Jin whispers something to his sister, smile long gone at the other girl's words.
"She's my friend." She smiles.
"We're freaking besties" the other smiles back happily.
"Chae Rin, how are you too?" Ha Ri asks turning to me, I smile at her with a sigh.
"Happy to see you after such a long time" she winks playfully.
"Have you made a move yet?" she bumps her shoulder with Wu Jin's.
"What are you talking about" he muttered turning away.
"Ha Ri, I still need those extra lessons in archery" I whine, she laughs a little.
"I promise to teach you the rest when we're out" she smiles, I nod happily.
"Wu Jin, you should join us. I miss seeing you two lovebirds bicker" she snickers, i bit my lip looking slightly at Cheong San who looks frustrated but laugh a little at her joke.
"Jeez, you scared me" Wu Jin mutters startled as Dae Su appears in front of Wu Jin, staring at his sister.
"What's your deal?" the girl with the hands on the pocket asks him confused, to which Dae Su clears his throat before looking straight at Ha Ri.
I grab onto Cheong San's arm shaking it as I lean forward to watch the scene better.
"I..." Dae Su begins.
"What?" The girl says.
"I Like you" he confesses staring at Ha Ri.
"What? Crazy bastard" Wu Jin speaks a little louder, catching everyone else's attention.
"Ya... What's wrong with you?" Wu Jin asks him, likely confused that he would actually confess to his sister, especially in the current situation.
"I saw you shooting arrows. I saw you train every morning. I went to every tournament and cheered for you. I'm the one who yelled 'Bronzed beauty Jang Ha Ri' " The boy begins, Wu Jin takes the time to place his hands over his older sister's ears.
"I've sincerely liked you for years. Now... I want to be a man, not a fan. I'm going to die anyway. So I want to say what I want first" He finished.
New girl smirking, I had my turned to Cheong San while looking down, lips pressed together as I tried not to laugh.
Wu Jin finally removing his hands.
"Incredible" The new girl chuckled.
"You're Dae Su, right?" Ha Ri questions, the boy smiles looking away.
"The one who calls my brother 'brother-in-law'" she continues.
"Yes. So you knew. Brother-in-Law, did you tell her?" He asks looking at Wu Jin, an adoring smile on his face.
"I might have" the other admits.
Ha Ri extends her hand to him, Dae Su immediately wiping them on his pants before he extends his own helping the older female stand up.
"Does confessing feel cathartic?" She asks him in a serious tone.
"Yes" He admits looking down
"Then you're okay with dying, right?" She questions.
"Yes" He answers without thinking, before it downs on him and he lifts his head.
"What? Now?" he asks confused.
"Oh god... somebody save him" I mumble covering my mouth.
Ha Ri punched him in the stomach, he doubles down in pain and she uses it to her advantage as she kicks him in the same spot and then hits him in the nape of the neck.
"You asshole. I'm pissed off and needed to vent" She says, gritting her teeth.
On fours on the floor he crawls to Wu Jin's side in need of protection.
"Wu Jin, stop her" He pleads to his best friend.
"Ha Ri" he tries to reason the older woman.
"You're dead" she repeated.
"Stop her" he continues to beg.
"Oh shit" I snicker.
"come here" Ha Ri tries to follow Dae Su who's trying to hide in a corner.
"I'm sorry. I was wrong" He apologizes, standing up and pulling a rack filled with volleyballs to his front protecting himself from her.
"No. I'm glad you told me" she sneers.
"No, that's not it" he apologizes
"Yes, it is. Get over here" she grits, hands grabbing tight onto the rack.
"Why don't you understand? I really like you" He exclaims trying to get his point across.
"Get over here, asshole" She demands.
"Wu Jin, go help him before she actually kills him" I hurriedly said, as she begins to throw the volleyball balls on him.
"Beat him up, Ha Ri!" Wu Jin cheered, I laughed louder.
"He needs a good beating"
"Look at him dodging"
"What is that there?" Dae Su points at something behind the older girl, who turns around. Giving the boy enough time to grab a helmet placing it on his head.
"Come here, why do you keep dodging?" Ha Ri grumbled.
"Ha Ri, throw one up and one at him like you're doing" I suggested with a chuckle.
"You're going to get him killed" On Jo laughs, I shrug.
"Stop her!" Dae Su continues to plead at the girl's brother.
"I don't want to come in between you two" He excused.
"Come here!"
"Only if you promise not to hit me" Dae Su tells her, trying to protect himself.
This will be a long afternoon.
I lean back onto the mat behind me and Cheong San, legs stretched out as I crossed my arms under my chest watching the bickering.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~