SURVIVE

CHAPTER FIVE: THE PILGRIM’S COURSE

The burial was swift, as Soojin did not exchange a few words as a eulogy, having no memory of her brother, her mind a blank slate as she stared at her brother’s peaceful face, her head bandaged as if to cover the wound inflicted on him.

Soojin doesn’t remember a single bit, none at all, as her fingers ran over the bandage, at the wound that Minnie told her about.

She doesn’t remember bringing the deathly blow to her brother, pulling the trigger onto the gun.

“Hey, you alright?” Shuhua asked, as Soojin smiled and nodded at her.

“Can’t be sad if you don’t even remember anything in the first place, Shuhua-yah.” Soojin said, as Shuhua smiled.

“But if I really killed him… I guess I did what it took to survive?” Soojin said, a faint smile on her face, as Shuhua nodded, patting her shoulder.

“Is your wound alright now, unnie?” Shuhua said, as Soojin nodded, slightly shifting her sitting position so she would be comfortable.

“Soojin, let’s get you to you room now, you have to rest.” Yuqi said, as Soojin nodded, smiling at Shuhua as she followed Yuqi towards her room, Shuhua following her and also supported her into her bed, Yuqi leaving the two to talk.

“Were you scared when you saw me and my wound last night? I heard from Song Jin that you were afraid of blood.” Soojin asked, as Shuhua smiled and shook her head.

“Song Jin Oppa covered the wound so I wouldn’t see it, and they also forbid me from seeing the dead until they hoisted it up in the hole where they burned them all.” Shuhua said, as Soojin nodded and smiled, patting her head.

“Seeing you pleading for help when we first met, there was something inside me that made me want to protect you at all times. Now I understand why your boyfriend wants to protect you and let herself get eaten by those undead.” Soojin said, as Shuhua raised a brow, chuckling.

“Eh? Song Jin Oppa is not my boyfriend, Soojin unnie. He’s just a sunbae from high school and a friend.” Shuhua said, as Soojin chuckled, nodding.

“Well… at least you have so many people that want to protect you, Shuhua. Song Jin, Soyeon, Miyeon, all that people downstairs, and me.” Soojin said, as she leaned forward and kissed her forehead, smiling at her.

“Now, let me rest. Just tell me what plans Soyeon had formulated for our trip to the Paradise, alright?” Soojin said, as Shuhua nodded, going out of the room, with a prominent blush on her cheeks, which Song Jin easily noticed as she went to the living room, Soyeon already gathering the people for the plans to go to the Paradise, as those people in the radio had called it.

“You alright? Why is your face red? Are you sick?” Song Jin asked, as Shuhua smiled and shook her head, leaning onto him as Soyeon started the discussion.

“So how are we going to go there? That message didn’t give enough information on how to reach that place.” Soyeon said, pitching the question that everything is asking.

“Well… the message said to find a military radio, and reply to the frequency of the virus.” Minnie said, as Song Jin nodded.

“Well, even in a police car, a firetruck or a precinct, we can find those lying around somewhere.” Song Jin said, Soyeon nodding at that.

“Then we should set out and find one, possibly tomorrow. If what you installed is effective, we wouldn’t need to worry about people suddenly raining bullets over at our house, Oppa.” Soyeon said.

“But at times we have to charge the tech, it wouldn’t go forever, but it is helpful at the times where we are vulnerable, so we would turn that on when we go and find that military radio, then leave someone here to defend the apartment while we’re gone.” Minnie explained, as Soyeon nodded, taking note of that.

“As of now, we can’t send Soojin because of her wound, but I think she can stay here and defend the apartment while we’re here, but she can’t do this alone. Minnie unnie, you should stay here, since you’re good at close combat, as what you did while I was in school.” Soyeon said, as Minnie widened her eyes, surprised, but decided to ask that question later, when they were done planning.

“And I assume that you’ll go with them outside?” Minnie asked as Soyeon nodded.

“Nope, you’re not coming, you’re staying here, I don’t want you to get out.” Minnie said, as Soyeon sighed.

“No, unnie. You have to stay here, because you are more capable of defending the apartment, Shuhua and the others than me.”

“But I wouldn’t be able to keep you safe with me being here, away from you! Soyeon, please—”

“We’ll keep her safe, Minnie.” Song Jin said as Minnie groaned, a frown permanently etched into her mouth as she went silent the rest of the meeting, not even paying attention, which Soyeon had noticed.

“Alright, so the people who will go out for the trip to find a military radio would be me, Song Jin Oppa and Miyeon, as you both had volunteered. We would go out tomorrow at the morning, and hopefully go back before nightfall. If we do not go back in time, then seal the door.” Soyeon said, as the meeting ended, the rest going back to their rooms.

Minnie went up to the rooftop of the apartment, staring at the peaceful clouds decorating the sky, slowly turning dark s night was coming soon, the sun setting down beautifully on one direction.

“Unnie… are you mad?” a voice said, as Soyeon went close to her sister, who only ignored what she said and continued to stare at the clouds, no emotion on her face.

“I know you want me to stay, but I want to lead this trip outside, unnie. I can protect myself, don’t worry.” Soyeon said, as Minnie sighed, finally looking back at her.

“And what? I don’t want you getting hurt, Soyeon… You’re the only family I have left.” Minnie said, as Soyeon raised a brow.

“Mom and Dad are still alive, unnie! I’m sure they are.” Soyeon said, as Minnie scoffed and chuckled afterwards, shifting her stare onto Soyeon’s eyes.

“I don’t consider them as family anymore, Soyeon. You’re the only one I have left.” Minnie said, as Soyeon raised her brows, still confused.

“Why, did something happen, unnie? Or tell me right now, why did you suddenly leave, huh?” Soyeon asked, sitting down next to Minnie, who just sighed.

“Mom and Dad were supposed to have me marry someone into the business they have, because it’s either I do it, or you. And I didn’t want you to be forced so I volunteered to do so, and left Seoul, breaking up with Yoo Rae.” Minnie said, as Soyeon widened her eyes, not knowing that.

“What? But why would Mom and Dad do that? Their company is a sound one without merging with others.” Soyeon said, Minnie smiling.

“It was written in Grandfather’s will that the whole inheritance would be given to the grandchild who would marry first, it would be given to the two of them, as a payment for raising the two of us well. It should happen when we reach the age of twenty-two or so.” Minnie said, Soyeon widening her eyes, surprised.

“Mom didn’t tell me that. Why didn’t you tell me that?” Soyeon said, as Minnie shook her head.

“I told them to keep it from you, since you were doing well in your career, even if Mom was against that idea. I was the one who kept them off your back, so please, follow me just this once?” Minnie said, as Soyeon sighed.

“The truth is… I have someone to rescue, that’s why I’m insisting to come with Song Jin Oppa and Miyeon unnie.” Soyeon said, as she picked up her wallet from her pocket and picked up a picture from it, showing Minnie the picture of two boys who smiled widely, with Soyeon in the center.

“Who is this? Your boyfriend? Which one?” Minnie asked, as Soyeon chuckled at that, shaking her head.

“He’s my savior, unnie. He’s the one who kept all your fangirls off my back while I was studying, also keeping off the bitches that tried to hurt me, trying to get close to Yoo Rae unnie and hurt her as well. And yes… he’s my boyfriend. Was, actually, before we went separate ways in different colleges, and in different agencies.” Soyeon explained, as Minnie nodded.

“We haven’t talked to each other since graduation in high school, not until two nights ago, when all of you arrived here. He called me, asking if I was alright, and we talked for two consecutive nights now.”

“So, where is he?” Minnie asked, as Soyeon sighed.

“He’s detained at the police precinct near here, for three straight days now. He’s trapped inside the precinct, trying to live off of MREs and such, with his friend there. If we don’t rescue them now, they’d die by starvation, unnie.” Soyeon said, as Minnie sighed.

“But that would mean more mouths to feed—”

“And more people to make runs for supplies and defend everyone, unnie. Four extra hands for help.” Soyeon said, as Minnie sighed.

“Alright, alright. Let me go there with Song Jin and Miyeon, and I’ll rescue them. But you have to tell this to everyone, Soyeon. You can’t make this decision alone, just because you’re the leader of the pack, alright?” Minnie said, patting her sister’s head, Soyeon nodding.

“I’m sure they’ll understand, but by doing that, we also have to rescue the people they want to live, Soyeon. You’re basically opening up an opportunity that everyone they love that is still alive could be rescued and brought here with us, and soon we’ll run out of space here, and end up needing a bigger place to stay here.” Minnie said, Soyeon leaning onto her sister and staring at the night sky, the sky decorated with stars.

“Thank you, unnie.” Soyeon said, as Minnie smiled, hugging her little sister.

“Yah, you didn’t tell me you had an ex-boyfriend!”  Miyeon said, as they were getting ready to go to staring, Soyeon having called a meeting before that and changing the plan, the others agreeing to the sudden rescue mission, the men getting ready for tomorrow.

“You were busy with trainings from other agencies and school, so I didn’t bother to tell it to you, unnie. Plus, the other people only saw us as very close friends, nothing more.”

“Don’t you have to go down and get ready with Minnie and Song Jin?’ Yuqi said, as Miyeon smiled and nodded, going outside the bedroom and into the living room, while Yuqi sighed and patted her head, smiling.

“Why, unnie?” Soyeon asked, as Yuqi chuckled, shaking her head and laying down, while Soyeon smiled and went beside her.

“It’s a good choice that Minnie is going out tomorrow, instead of you, Soyeon. If we lose a leader, it would be hard for us to get organized.” Yuqi said as Soyeon nodded, smiling at her.

“If you don’t mind, unnie, I’ll rest first.” Soyeon said, as she kissed the girl’s cheek, turning the other way and trying to fall asleep.

Meanwhile, Chan was at the rooftop, staring at the night sky, smiling as tears fell from his eyes, as veins started to blacken from his neck upwards, blood flecking his lips as he coughed, his vision slowly becoming blurry from his tears and the things that are happening to him.

He just wanted to see his mentor’s smile one last time, to see her face, to be with her while this world was ending, and he wanted to leave this world assured that she was safe.

After all, his Yuqi Song was always the one to save him, whenever he would fuck up on certain things, and now he had done it.

Saved her from dying, even if she doesn’t know it.

He had put some of his blood and Seo Yoon Song’s blood in a container in the room she had claimed for her medical use, hoping she could see it as she discovers that her beloved student had passed away from the pandemic itself.

He sighed as he rolled up one of his pant legs, revealing a bite wound that had been hidden by bandages and lots of medical tape, a wound he got from the convention center two days before, having dragged another one of the undead away from Yuqi, which ended up biting him. He had run out of time, trying to cover up his imminent death, overdosing on antibiotics until his body had already developed an immunity against the drug, making him unable to resist the effects of the virus inside his body.

As his eyes slowly became white, he found a smile on his face as he stared at the stars of the night, his face slowly blackening with veins bursting under his skin, until he took his last breath, his last bits of life dripping out, as he closed his eyes, passing away under the peaceful night sky. At peace.

Chan opened his eyes again, his eyes entirely white with a tinge of red from blood, as he started to bare his teeth, gnashing and groaning as his eyes searched for blood, for flesh—

Chan was gone, and a monster replaced him.

“Yah, where’s that little kid that Yuqi brought here with her?” Song Jin asked, having no clue of where the boy was, having disappeared from their sight ever since the second sudden meeting ended earlier.

“I don’t know. The girls are all asleep, right? So where could he be?” Minnie asked, as she raised a brow.

“You check the garage Minnie; I’ll check the rooftop. Shout if you need help, alright?” Song Jin said as he brought a pistol just in case, as he and Minnie split ways, trying to find out where the boy had gone to.

Song Jin sighed as he dragged himself up into the stairs, dreading why he had chosen to go up. He sighed as he slowly opened the door, peeking out to see if the boy was outside—

He widened his eyes as he saw the boy, but he wasn’t relieved, not at all.

He stared at the boy’s bloodshot eyes, blood coating his lips as he snarled, gnashing his teeth as he saw Song Jin, and ran.

Song Jin hurriedly shut the door, barring himself over the door as the boy behind it thrashed and banged itself against the door, trying to get inside.

“MINNIE! MINNIE, COME HERE, QUICK!” Song Jin shouted at the top of his lungs, as he gritted his teeth and strengthened his nerves, completely pushing the door and barricading it with only his body, keeping the boy out in the rooftop.

Soyeon was having a good night’s sleep when she heard the loud shout, waking her up immediately as she raised a brow, wondering where the noise had come from. She got up, slowly removing Yuqi’s arm over her, replacing herself with a pillow as she tied her hair up, getting out of their sleeping quarters.

She climbed up, and upon seeing Song Jin’s distressed face, Soyeon widened her eyes.

“Soyeon, call your sister! I… I need some help here, he’s probably at the first floor!” Song Jin shouted, frantic, as he had difficulties continuing to bar the door, as Soyeon heard scratches and banging on the other side of the door, as if something outside wanted to go inside.

“What happened, Oppa? Is there one of the undead who had climbed up?” Soyeon asked, as Song Jin shook his head.

“It’s Chan… he turned.”