Not My Brother
He didn't particularly like the way the sun was beating down on him.
He knew it was the afternoon, and it was just a part of the natural cycle of the world and sun. But he didn't have to like it. Made things too blinding for him. He stood with his air pods in, eyes scanning the area as he did so. He was frowning, and growing a bit frustrated. He gave a decidedly annoyed sigh as his mind growled, Jihwan, where the fuck are you? Trust his older brother to come and pick him up after school. Jihwan had never been the most responsible of older brothers, but the least he could do was ensure that Jisung got home.
Especially as Jisung's pheromones were still acting up after all these months.
His alpha blood made him extra testy lately. And no beta or omega could get him to truly calm down. He wasn't sure why. No one was. He was on a medication that helped him maintain some control over his raging aggression, long enough to be at school most of the day. His very dark, nearly black tail swished in slight annoyance. He frowned, trying not to growl. It would be useless to do so. Even if there was no one around.
Too bad Jisung was unaware that there really was no one else around.
If he were to pause his music, he'd realize it was unusually silent around him. He picked his phone up from his pocket and looked at the time. He gave another huff of annoyance. The time growing later. And Jihwan was clearly not coming. He sent him a quick text, telling him he was an ass for forgetting. And the older was an alpha as well? Good luck getting a mate, then. No one wanted an irresponsible alpha for a mate. With a resigned sigh, Jisung shifted his backpack up onto his shoulder. He then turned, and began the long walk home.
As he did, he cursed Jihwan out profusely and continuously.
His legs were going to be like jelly when he got home.
Yes, he was an alpha. But he wasn't the most athletic of alphas out there. Not for a lack of trying, either. He kept his eyes on his feet, ensuring he could get home. He hoped to get home before his mom and dad. Just so he could have a small go at Jihwan for being a forgetful jackass.
The thing about being outside, is scents and smells tend to be weak. Even to a strong alpha nose like Jisung's. With his music blasting and the breeze blowing against his back, he was unaware of the world around him.
A dangerous prospect.
//
Despite being an alpha, Jisung wasn't comfortable around other wolves in general.
He did his best to avoid talking, looking, or even being near others. Still, he managed to avoid most others on his journey home. He really should have been paying attention. Instead, he was busy going over some notes from class. He thought he heard the teacher state there would be an exam soon. He should really study for it. So he did not see that beta female be absolutely tackled to the ground, unfriendly jaws tearing at her throat and shoulder. Staining the concrete with her red blood.
He did not see nor hear the running and screaming about him. He was used to the area being crowded enough, and noisy enough that he just naturally avoided everything. Without really looking up, Jisung turned and headed down to the subway. It would be faster, and he could get home sooner. Besides, he'd avoid the big crowds. And the changing world around him he had yet to take notice of.
It did not take him too terribly long to get on the subway headed for his neighborhood. He did notice there was a decidedly lack of passengers this afternoon. Hmm. That was most certainly, odd. But Jisung would count his blessings that it was devoid of other wolves. He sat silently, and waited for his stop to arrive.
He managed to pay enough attention to what was going on, to ensure he got off at his stop. With a soft tone, the train pulled to a stop and Jisung rose to his feet. Without a word, he made his way off.
As the train departed once again, devoid of wolves, he looked around. The platform was, empty. He frowned. Humming a moment, but shrugged it off. He turned and made his way to head up to the main level and finish his journey home. At this rate, he would definitely get home before his parents would. Enough time to lay in to Jihwan for forgetting him.
At least Jisung had had the wits to ride the train.
After returning to street level, Jisung turned and walked the remaining stretch to get to their neighborhood and home. He could already feel his alpha blood starting to act up. His irritation and anger starting to grow. Unaware it would come in handy very, very soon. It didn't take him too terribly long to reach his neighborhood. As he did, he finally ended his music. Shuffling his air pods back into their case and into his backpack. They'd need to be recharged for tomorrow. He supposed that from here on, he'd take the subway. It was faster, and he wouldn't have to rely on Jihwan and be forgotten like this.
Again.
As he approached their home, he blinked. His ears moving about like radars. Finally, he peeled his blazing red gaze from the front door and gazed about him on the neighborhood. He frowned. It was, unusually quiet. Even at this time of day. As he took in his surroundings at last, he noticed that the neighbors were deathly quiet. Some he noted, were not home yet. He shrugged, trying to rid himself of his growing anxiety and tension. Being a socially anxious alpha and having his unusual aggression made for an interesting life.
One he was managing.
He did notice something that had him frowning. Their yards looked, littered upon. Things strewn about haphazardly. He hoped that it was taken care of soon. Someone was bound to complain before long. And the pups likely responsible for such a mess, reprimanded and punished accordingly. And likely made to clean up the mess.
Without further thought, Jisung unlocked the front door.
He then slipped inside.
//
As he closed the door behind him, he blinked and frowned even more.
He could tell by the ringing silence and the decidedly lack of humming from the electrical side of things, they were experiencing a power outage.
Fucking great.
He hoped his phone and air pods could be charged by tomorrow. He just hoped they got power back before long. Just as he closed the front door, he noted it was deathly quiet in the home as well. He frowned, a growl in the cage of his chest. Do not fucking tell him Jihwan was actually out doing something stupid, and forget Jisung that way. He was going to kill him, if that was the case. With a tired and frustrated sigh, Jisung set his backpack on the counter. He turned to see if he could have a snack. He was an alpha, and hungry. He wasn't going to attempt to open the fridge until the power came back on. There had to be something he could indulge himself on until he could eat something far more enticing.
Just as he opened the cabinet and poked his nose in and was sniffing for his snack, he frowned and nearly gagged. The stench he got was far from pleasant. It smelled rotten. He frowned. Before he could fathom what was making that god awful stench, his ear moved. He picked up the shuffling sound from behind him. So, Jihwan was home. He was so kicking his ass, then. He turned with a growl, "Jihwan, you fucking forgot-"
His words caught in his throat, and his eyes bulged from their sockets. That. That was not Jihwan. Well, it was him. Had his ugly stupid ass face, but it was no longer him. The blood and saliva dripping from his almost gone maw and covering the floor in the fluids was dead give away enough. Flesh torn from his body, and his eyes were blood shot.
Jisung was no stranger to what this most certainly was.
A zombie apocalypse.
There have been so many movies and tv shows about them, that it was now considered textbook knowledge to know how to handle oneself in such a time. Still, thinking one was prepared and being faced with the reality were completely separate. He wasn't sure how wolves could become zombies like this, but he wasn't questioning what mother nature wanted to fucking do with her world.
The first thing Jisung knew he had to do, was dispatch Jihwan's zombie corpse body. And then make his plans to survive. When he'd leave, hard to say. But he wasn't going to die this soon. That was for damned sure. He would look to see if he'd gotten a warning from his brother or parents earlier, or any news. But that could wait until he had enough time. He knew his phone battery was low, so he'd have to be quick.
With an unnatural snarling growl, Jihwan lurched at him. Going on the attack.
With a gasp, Jisung turned and raced away. A weapon, he had to find a weapon. His claws and fangs useless in such a fight. The thing about Korea being a guns free country with the exception of the police and military, is that guns were not a readily available option. And to be frank, Jisung found them so stupid. They made noise, and they were limited use. Besides, what happened when the world ran out of ammunition? They became useless before long. He had to find a blunt weapon. As he ran, Jihwan's corpse gave chase.
Snarling and gurgling behind him.
One thing Jisung knew not to do in such a situation, was panic. And while he was trying not to, there was the fact this was all unplanned. That no one ever expects such a thing to happen in real life. Lesson learned, he supposed. He raced up the stairs, Jihwan's corpse following. As Jisung made for his room, he looked for anything. Any blunt weapon he could use.
And now he knew why he'd always picked the crowbar for his weapon in such scenarios. He hoped to find one in his survival of the undead wolf world. He burst into his room, giving maybe a small yell as Jihwan's claws came within inches of his backside. He ran around the bed and turned to face his no longer there brother. He watched him as he came around the bed. Just what Jisung was hoping for. He was quick to hop up and over the bed, and back out the door. Giving himself some time before Jihwan gave chase again.
He continued to look for anything to help him. Seriously, this was the only time he would be defenseless. Just as he returned to the kitchen thanks to the idea to use one of the knifes having struck him, Jihwan's snarling hulking form finally caught up with him. As they crashed to the floor, Jisung turned and struggled to keep a snapping snarling Jihwan from biting his face off. Or his arm. Or both. He groaned and grunted as he kept his older, bigger, and stronger brother off him. He moved his head about, avoiding the bloody drool coming from Jihwan's gaping jaws. He brought the sole of his shoe to Jihwan's torso and growled, "Get your ugly slobbery self off me!"
With a grunt Jisung kicked him off, sending him hurling back. Long enough, for Jisung to turn and grab a large lid. It looked like a large lid to a massive pot. Likely for the one in their backyard. He turned with it. And as it made a resounding clang against Jihwan's head and echoed about them, Jisung nearly sighed. At least it was effective to send Jihwan back again.
The struggle remained as Jihwan lurched forth again. Jisung decided to use the lid as both a shield, and the blunt weapon to bash his older brother's brains in. After hitting Jihwan enough, he noted his collapse. After rising to his knees, Jisung continued until the floor was covered in Jihwan's blood and brain matter. Once he was certain his older brother was truly dead, Jisung dropped the lid.
He sat back against the cabinets, and took the time to breathe.
//
As he sat there with Jihwan's mangled corpse at his feet, Jisung's mind began to race.
So this was how it was to be, hm? Well, at least he managed to beat Jihwan's ass for all the shit he's put Jisung through in the past. Still, it was his older brother. He blinked, and finally moved and reached up for his phone. It would die soon. And likely, he may not have use of it ever again. That was fine. He just needed to check things out quickly, then he'd say good bye to it.
Was there a cure yet?
Not likely.
Would there be?
Seeds of hope had to be planted and maintained.
Nature willing, of course.
After unlocking his phone and decidedly ignoring Jihwan's blood on his knuckles, Jisung looked to see he had missed many notifications. He sent a silent apology to each one. He had a habit of putting his phone on silent when he needed to remain calm. His parents had sent a farewell and their love. He then checked the news. It was an outbreak. Some virus or another. No one knew where it started, why, or what would happen. All that was said, was essentially good luck to any and all survivors from this day forth.
How thoughtful.
He turned his phone off for the last time. As he did, he jumped and looked to the door as a banging from outside came. He wondered if they could hear his heart beating the way he could. Likely not. But they likely heard his and Jihwan's struggle, and could smell him. Huh. Could the undead smell his actual identifying scent, or could they just smell his living blood and flesh? He wasn't going to wait for an answer.
Slowly, he climbed to his feet and made to move throughout the home. Locking everything and covering the windows. It would deter them long enough for him to make his plans. He'd have to be as smart as possible from here on. Mostly, food and supplies. Alphas have always had incredible healing. Though it would appear that the virus meant to change that. So, he'd take the necessary precautions and ensure he brought things to keep himself from getting other infections.
Lastly, he'd need to take as much food as he could.
He supposed that it was time this wolf returned to the wild to hunt for his meats.
In time. For now, he'd take what they had around the home. He wasn't sure when he'd leave. But he'd give himself at least a week before he'd leave. What came after, he wasn't sure. He'd just play it all by ear. But this meant his medication to keep him from wolfing out in pure fits of rage would no longer be in production. He could only hope he found a way to kill the zombies without putting himself at risk with his claws and fangs.
Wait, did this mean that he couldn't bite a potential mate?
Fuck!
That had been the best part. The one he was looking forward to most. He hoped he could find someone on his journey of survival that could answer the questions they likely all had.
Who, what, when, why, and how.
And is there a cure?
As the sunset on the world's last average day and would dawn the perilous future, Jisung decided for now he'd get some sleep.
He had a rough life before him.
He'd need the energy and rest while he could get it.