Chae Rin's POV
"Fuck. Nothing working. We keep hitting dead ends" Mi Jin complained from besides Ha Ri.
"Be quiet" Dae Su spoke back.
"It's your fault that Chae Rin got bit again and that Joon Yeong almost died" He continued.
"Dae Su, stop" Wu Jin reprimanded him, the girl looked at him, hurt in her eyes.
"Fine. It's my fault that it all happened. Happy?" She questioned him.
"Can you both, shut the fuck up. Why is that situation important right now. I- ..." I look away, exhaling as my voice wavers.
"This is not the time, nor the place. Please... just stop fighting" I begged the two, eyes going from one to another.
"Ya. Dae Su, why are you so pissed off? Why does that matter when we just witnessed what happened a few minutes ago" he continues on reprimanding him.
"What does living and dying even mean?" He asks rhetorically.
"I don't know" He says as he looks around the group.
"If we get out of here, is that living? Our friends died. Our moms and dads died. What's the point in living?" He speaks, voice becoming thinner as his eyes water.
"Do you want to die? Then will you die?" Mi Jin questions him, he doesn't reply, focusing on his breathing to not get angry, nor cry.
"Have you tried being seniors? Do you even know how it feels to want to die?" She asks looking at him.
"I can say that I died. Uh, and came back. It doesn't feel that good. I still think dying is worse than being a senior. If I ever get a chance to even, become one" I sigh, Cheong San bumps his shoulder into mine at my joke at a ... not so appropriate timing.
"Is it some badge of honor?" Dae Su asks the rude girl ignoring my words.
"You try being one. You'll see what it's like" She sneers.
"You juniors, better survive until next year and see what it's like being seniors. Survive until next year and tell me which is tougher, zombies or senior year" She tells the group.
Many would not understand, but I could tell that the girl was being rude for the sake of their survival, her words were basically telling them that, sure, senior year is bad, and she knew zombies were harder, but she wanted them to survive until senior year so that they could tell her which was harder.
"Your father..." Ha Ri's voice snaps me out of my train of thoughts, the older girl's head turned to look at On Jo, a sad look on her face.
"He saved all of us. I'll never forget it as long as I live. None of us will. If someone is remembered by many people that person..." She pauses, her lip quivering as she held onto her own tears.
"Goes to heaven" she finishes. On Jo nods at her, a single tear falling from her eyes.
My hand that was clasped onto On Jo's grips it tighter, as I looked ahead, holding my own tears.
Cheong San's arm around my shoulders.
"Mi Jin. Let's go" Ha Ri calls out to the girl besides her.
"Where? Why?" The girl in questions asks confused.
"Let's look for a spot we can jump off from. We're the seniors" Ha Ri explained.
"Whatever. It's not like they show us any respect" She huffed annoyed.
"I'll go this way. You go that way" Ha Ri ignored the girl's words, pointing out where she would have to go before leaving, not waiting for the other's answers.
"Damn it. She's so cool" Mi Jin sighed.
"Mi Jin... do you want help?" I volunteered, hands on the group as I was going to get up.
"No, it's fine" She winked as she got up.
I sat back down, hand on the side of On Jo's face I pull it onto my shoulder as I sneakily pull her closer to me, so I could put my arm around her shoulders.
"I'll go" Su Hyeok offered as he stood up, Mi Jin immediately shutting him down.
"Stay down" she told him.
"No" he refuses. She grabs onto his arm, trying to push him down, but can't as he is too strong
"Why, you..." she hissed, lifting her head to hit him.
Every ounce of confidence leaving Su Hyeok's body as he lifts his hand to protect himself from her hit that never strikes.
"Move" She says annoyed, finally able to push him aside as he gulped in fear sitting back down next to Nam Ra.
"I hope no one steps up anymore. Whatever happens... I hope no one sacrifices themselves. It's too hard living because of someone else. There's nothing we can do for them. Living life to the full in honor of the person who died... It's too selfish. You can't die even if you want to. You lack the courage to live, but you can't die" On Jo spoke over the silence, her head lifting from my shoulder.
"Let's... let's talk a bit later. Tomorrow or the day after. Or next week" Cheong San began, hitting me slightly to carry on.
"Let's get ourselves clean, and eat. And then we'll talk about how to keep going, okay?" I said looking at her with a slight smile.
"Whatever happens, I'll take care of you. I promise" I whispered.
"Oh, and you were right... all along. Down is better" I smiled.
"About what?" she asks confused.
"You probably won't remember" I chuckled.
"Don't remember what?"
~~~~~~~~~~
Throwback
"Ya, Chae Rin..." On Jo called for me, I turn to her, stopping the swing in motion as she sits in the one besides me.
"What?" I ask her raising an eyebrow at her, she sighs sitting down.
"Which do you think is better?" She asks, I turn to look at her, she stands back up and walks over to me, standing in front of my swing.
"Like this? Or... Like this?" She asks as she uses her fingers to put the left side of her hair behind her ear, and then take it out, only to put the right side behind her other ear.
"Hm..." I hum, going over the two options.
"I like both, but I think you look exceptionally pretty with both sides over your ears. If you don't want it over your ears then, left side." I smile at her.
"Don't you like anyone?" She asks me, I blush...
«I do, but if I'm right, he likes you»... I think to myself
I shake my head.
"What about you?" I ask changing the subject.
"Oh? Yes..." She nods shyly.
"Anyway, you know... you look really pretty like that" She says pointing at my hair...
"Really? It's just my normal hair though" I ask confused.
"I know, but a lot of people compliment you for it. I saw Gyeong Su mumbling about it once" she laughs, I join in.
"Really?"
"Yes, he kept saying that it looks shiny and smelled nice" She told me.
"Ah, did anyone else say anything?"
"Oh! Cheong San also agreed with him, that it smelled nice" She nods thinking to herself.
"So between hair up and hair down- "
"Hair down, for sure. You look amazing" she smiled.
He said it smelled nice? And it looks better down?
I blush at my own thought.
"Anyway, are we going to Cheong San mom's chicken place today?" She nods, I nod back shyly smiling as I use a hand to go through my loose hair over my shoulders.
End of flashback
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"It being down, it's much better" I continue, a smile on my face.
"What are you talking about?" She asks confused.
"I'll tell you tomorrow" I smile again as I lean back on Cheong San, my hair falling on his shoulders.
"Do you think there will be people waiting for us outside?" I ask quietly turning to face Cheong San.
"We have to believe so... They wouldn't leave for dead. Maybe" He says unsure, I nod at his answer sitting back in silence until I hear a few cracks.
My ears perk at the sound, Nam Ra was panting, and as my eyes looked at her, her head was between her arms, legs up to her chest and I could hear her hands cracking.
Most of the others were asleep when I caught onto Nam Ra's head cracking, and she turned to look at Su hyeok inching closer to him.
I quietly lifted myself up, eyes widened as I hope that she wouldn't lose her self-control over her hunger.
As I got to her, I kneeled a bit in front of Su Hyeok who was still with his eyes closed, in light sleep.
I placed my arm in display for her, and she grabbed it, turning around with it.
I looked around before placing myself in front of her as she looked at my arm, but bit her wrist instead.
"It's okay" I whispered as I covered her from everyone's possible eyes.
I watch a hand go over Nam Ra's shoulder and looking behind her, Su Hyeok was already behind her grabbing her, I nod at him to take over my spot as I stood a little behind them watching to see if she could control herself and to help in case they needed it.
"It's okay" he whispered to her.
"It's not okay" she whispered back.
"It is" he assured her.
"If it happens again, bite me, not yourself" He told her, but she shook her head trying to free herself from his hold.
"If you bite me, I'll become like you" he said, grabbing onto the hand she had bitten herself on as she panted.
"Here, tie it around her eye" I tap Su Hyeok as I offered him one of the ligaments that Cheong San had forcefully tied around my wrist.
Su Hyeok took it with a thankful smile as he tied it around the prez' face.
"You'll be alright Nam Ra" I insisted, offering a smile as I squeeze her hand.
"I really think that's the only way out" Dae Su pouted, as Ha Ri and Mi Jin came back from looking around the building.
"No. It drops into the basement on that side, and there are exposed steel bars, so we can't jump down" Mi Jin explained.
"That side faces the school, so there's no point" Ha Ri said.
"So... summing up, there are no exits besides the main entrance" I sigh looking at the two women who nod defeated.
"The ground is filled with zombies, so we'll die if we go down" Mi Jin continued.
"There's a door on the first floor that leads to the mountain. I think we have to go that way" Ha Ri finished.
"But it's full of zombies in there" Dae Su argued, everyone stayed quiet thinking of a way out.
"Can't we reach the roof if we climb that and the windows?" Cheong San pointed out with his finger.
"Why go up?" I question him confused.
"If someone goes to the roof and screams, the zombies will follow. Then It'll empty out, and the rest can escape" He explained.
"I think that will work" Su Hyeok agreed.
"No. We are not doing that!" I said angrily pointing at the two boys as I walked back to Cheong San.
"No sacrifices! How many times do I have to say it?! Joon Yeong! Tell him what happens when you go against what I say" I wave a hand at the boy.
"You get brought back to life then killed again and bitten by you" he rolls his eyes.
"See? He almost went through that!" I pointed out.
"If that's the only way - "
"I said no. Do you want me to say it in every language I know?!" I raised my voice.
"Please, let's not let anyone else sacrifice themselves for us. Look at Chae Rin. Nam Ra. Ms. Park!" On Jo said.
"I'm against it too... especially after Chae Rin explained how it was to die...We agreed to survive together" Hyo Ryeong mentioned.
"She also fell from the 4th floor to save Nam Ra and Su Hyeok" Wu Jin mentioned.
"I know, I'm such a good friend" I sighed.
"Me too, I feel the same as Hyo Ryeong said" Dae Su voices out his own opinion.
"So do I" Wu Jin says.
"Then let's wait" Mi Jin sighed, although speaking with a soft voice.
"And then what? Do you have a plan?" Ha rI questions the senior.
"It might rain again, and then they'll hear us less" Mi Jin mumbled.
"Who knows when it'll rain?" Ha Ri counteredback.
"My knees are aching. I think it'll rain soon. Look at the sky" the short girl said, a smile on her face as she sat down looking at the sky...
Everyone's eyes following suit.
"It's way too clear" Dae Su complained.
"Do you hear that?" Nam Ra's voice cuts the gloomy mood.
"What?" Su Hyeok asks his girlfriend.
"We have to get away. Run" I hurriedly state, my eyes locking onto Nam Ra's.
"What do you mean?" Cheong San asked.
"They're telling us to take cover" Nam Ra announces.
"They're going to start bombing places" I murmur looking around.
"Who is?!" Su Hyeok asks.
"Bombing? Like explosions?" Joon Yeong asks, I nod.
"Explosions? What explosions?" Hyo Ryeong asks panicked.
"Listen again" Su Hyeok tells Nam Ra.
"Hyosan intersection, Future College..." She drags on.
"Our school will be blown up too" I say.
"Is the army going to fucking launch missiles at us?" Wu jin faltered.
"When?" Dae Su questions.
"They're not saying. They're just telling people to evacuate now" Nam Ra replied looking down.
"Fuck. Where are we supposed to go?" Mi Jin cussed scared.
"So when are the explosions happening?" Dae Su asks again.
"They won't say when!" I said louder.
"Won't we all die if we stay here?" Hyo Ryeong trembled.
"Do they say where to flee to?" On Jo asks, I nod.
"They said underground or bathrooms" I replied.
"What if it's a nuclear bomb?" Hyo Ryeong ponders.
"Korea doesn't have nukes" Joon Yeong told her.
"Get a grip" Dae Su scolded her.
"Whatever!" She snapped back "They're blowing up our school" she whimpered.
"Where are we supposed to take cover? There's nowhere to go" Wu Jin complained, Ha Ri sighing.
"Cheong San!" A scream is heard from inside.
I immediately stand back up.
"It's Yoon Gwi Nam" Cheong San announced.
"That asshole doesn't die" Dae Su trembled.
Su Hyeok had his bat in his hand as his back was to the wall next to the window.
"Who is that?" Ha Ri asks confused.
"Maybe we misheard? It's quiet now" Hyo Ryeong pondered.
"We didn't. He's here" I state placing myself in front of Cheong San but he grabbed my arm pulling me slightly back, as everyone else began to get up.
Gwi Nam pulls on the window cover angrily, startling everyone as he leans on the window with a smile.
"Here you are" He smirks
"What the hell?" Mi Jin cusses.
"Cheong San!" Su Hyeok calls as the boy in question swings his bat to hit Gwi Nam, who goes back inside the house, fully making Cheong San miss and uses it to his advantage to grab him by the back of the clothes and throwing him back on the platform.
"Cheong San!" I rush to him as he laid on the ground, Gwi Nam climbing over the window.
"Stop!" I slap him in the face, his face turning to the side before he smirks and slaps me back sending me to the ground and placing his foot on Cheong San's chest.~
Su Hyeok still tries to hit him but Gwi Nam is too strong and after dodging hits him instead knocking him not only to the ground but almost over.
Mi Jin and I having to grip onto his hands to pull him back up.
"Shit! Gwi Nam! What's the fucking matter with you!" I cuss as I get back up and push him but he twists my hand.
I let out a scream before I lean forward and bite his hand making him scream too.
"Cheong San!" On Jo calls out, Gwi Nam fully letting me go as he held Cheong San by the collar at the edge of the platform.
Cheong San punched him in the face and I used it as an opportunity to grab onto Gwi Nam.
"I just ate, darling. I'm stronger than you" He smirks, as he grabbed onto my arm and flung me off and nearly off the house but I grabbed onto the scaffolding.
My head throbbing as I felt blood fall from my head and roll down my face.
I hear Cheong San's call of pain before he full on screams.
"Cheong San!" I scream pulling up to see Gwi Nam pulling away from his arm, a piece of his skin still on his mouth before he slammed him onto the wall.
Getting up onto the platform everyone is now disoriented by the sudden high pitch noise.
Clutching to my ears I watch Gwi Nam fall to the floor in pain, myself too clutching onto my ears as I watch Cheong San throw Gwi Nam over the platform and down on the ground.
"Cheong San" I whimper, staring at him. The pitch suddenly gone.
I crawl my way to him, as he stares at his bite mark, shaking my head nervously and anxiously as I tug on his sleeve.
"No... you're not! You're not going to turn" I repeat, my head still shaking.
"You're bleeding" He says reaching for my head but I clasp onto it, bringing him to his knees on the floor with me.
"That's not important right now!" I shout.
"You- " I cried
"It's fine. You're fine!" I sniffed.
"You'll be like me. Yea!" I nodded as I looked up to meet his eyes.
"You won't turn. You're like me. You can become like me" I repeat with the utmost confidence.
"Your head" He mentioned again.
"I'm okay. I'm fine!" I cried as he raised his hand to touch my head.
"No one will die today" he assured me. I nod vigorously, humming.
"We... we can't talk about that tomorrow. Or, or the day after. We- " I began to talk as he helped lift me up.
I watched as he ripped his own name tag, grabbing my hand and putting it in it before he closed it.
"I want yours" he softly laughed, I cried harder, softly pulling mine out and handing it to him.
"I should've told you sooner" I whimpered.
"It's okay, I was the dumb one" He assured me, I shook my head.
"I was scared, that you wouldn't like me back. So I never said anything. I... I should've"
"It's okay. We'll be okay, hm?" He hums, as his voice trembled, hands holding onto my name tag.
I looked up at him, tears falling from both our eyes before he inched closer to me, and I leaned in kissing him.
Chapped lips, but nonetheless, a good kiss.
A kiss that I would remember forever.
As he pulled away, his hands leaving my shoulders I couldn't help but grip his vest tighter as he tried to walk back.
"No... don't go" I whispered.
"I'll be back. I promise" He whispered back as he held my hands in his, removing my hold from him.
Softly panting I watch as he walked to the window frame, my eyes following his every movement.
He sobs, body turning around as he pulls me into a hug, my own hands going around his body as I sob into his shoulder.
And then he abruptly pulls away, pushing me to Su Hyeok who holds me by the shoulders as I sob harder staring at my first love, sacrifice himself.
"Su Hyeok, go to the first floor" He tells him.
"No! No, don't go. Let me go with you! Cheong San!" I cried, trying to free myself from the tall boy's hold, but he wouldn't budge.
Especially as the other's came to help.
"Ya! Come get me. All of you. Today, I am the happiest guy in this school" I heard him scream.
"Cheong San!" I tried to scream but Su Hyeok had his hand over my mouth as I sobbed.
"Ha Ri. Let's go!" Mi Jin called out to the senior.
"We have to go" Ha Ri said, grabbing onto my hand and taking me near the window.
"Can you climb over?" Mi Jin asked me, I nod hurriedly climbing over before I try to dash in and run after Cheong San but On Jo grabs me.
"No, no. I need to see him. On Jo" I cried, as she shushed me, the other's getting inside one by one.
"He said he'd be back. It's okay" she too cried as she patted my back.
"Ya!" I could hear Cheong San's screams as he went up, all of us going down.
"Chae Rin, come on. We're close" Wu Jin hurriedly placed a hand on my back rushing me to the exit.
"Come to me! All of you!" I heard his continuous screams.
"I love you" I whispered turning back as the others continued to pull me with them.
My first and last love.
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