Sometimes Being Clumsy is a Positive
Maybe doing advanced studying in what was essentially the janitorial closet, wasn't the best of his ideas.
But it was the only place he could think of to escape his bullies. As a senior about to graduate high school and head off to university, it was almost tragic. As an alpha, he should be able to stand up for himself against his bullies. But he'd always been a terribly shy and easily intimidated alpha. Perhaps it was why he had difficulties making friends. He wasn't a leader like alpha. He could scarcely see himself leading anyone for very long. He didn't have the most confidence in himself.
So, he had bullies.
Even as a senior alpha wolf in high school.
But it was why he found himself in his current situation. Hiding in a janitor's closet of cleaning supplies. Reviewing material he was hoping to study in university. He often liked to tinker with things. To take them apart and put them back together. To see how the components came together to work and function properly. And put them back together again. Sometimes, he even tinkered with the components and came out with something far more powerful in function.
A mechanic, sort of.
He often found old things such as radios, and tinkered with those. Though he's worked with newer technology as well. It was a quirky curiosity of his. And he was rather good at it. Hence, his advanced studying for university. He wasn't sure what career he hoped to get after the fact. But he figured he had time to figure that part of his life out, the closer he got to that stage of his life. And who knows, maybe it will serve him well when he finally went in for his mandatory military service.
Never hurt to dream just a little.
So here he was, sitting in the janitor's closet. Reading a textbook on mechanics. He was also studying coding a little. He found they often were paired together these days. It was also something his bullies liked to, well bully him for. Often calling him a nerd. While simultaneously laughing at him for being so easily cowed, and clumsy. That was the issue with being rather tall, especially in Korea. He tended to be a bit clumsy. It was an endearing trait. But it's made him the target of his bullies for most of his high school life.
Especially after he presented as an alpha.
Like most of wolf hybrid society, he was around seventeen years old when he first presented. Most presentations were between the ages of sixteen, and around twenty one or two. Some were late bloomers, and some where early birds. But they were rare instances.
His red eyes drank the information in. Soaking it up like a sponge. Wholly unaware, it would come in real handy in the future.
Just not a future anyone had predicted that morning.
//
His orangey red ear flickered, before he finally tore his gaze from the textbook he was reviewing.
He blinked a moment, trying to figure out what had drawn his attention. However, nothing was amiss. It was quiet, sure. But everyone was either in class or waiting for class to commence. The janitor hadn't been by yet. But that was fine. He rarely was bothered to see Song Mingi in here, hiding from his bullies. With nothing seemingly out of the ordinary, Mingi returned to reviewing the textbook.
When his ear flickered again, he frowned more profusely as he looked up and stared at the closed door. He stared at it for a few moments, before he finally noticed. It was too quiet. He felt a growing sense of unease. There was anticipation in the air. Of something about to happen. But just what it was, hell if Mingi knew. Trying not to think on it too much, Mingi returned to the textbook. Trying once more to return to what it was being demonstrated in the diagram.
He didn't get any further than the next word, when he was covering his nose.
Ugh, what was that awful stench?
He shifted and looked about. And his eyes landed on a small amount of horror. At least, to him. From the small faucet the janitor used for his mop and bucket, some blood was starting to drip. And it smelled so awful. And to Mingi, it was like a scene straight out of a horror movie. And he wasn't particularly fond of those. He got frightened too easily. He often wondered if he really was meant to be an alpha. He certainly didn't seem the type to be an alpha. Not really brave or eager for a fight every few minutes.
But nature said he was an alpha.
So, he was an alpha.
He stared at the blood long enough, that he jumped when screaming came from the other students. At this, Mingi became both antsy and nervous. Unsure of what was going on, he wondered if he should just stay in the closet. Or if he should evacuate. He didn't smell smoke. All he could smell, was that blood that smelled foul. So foul, he almost gagged. But what if it was a prank? He really didn't want to go out there and end up facing his bullies. He just wanted the day to end so he could go home.
He sat there, staring at the door. Waiting, and even expecting it to burst open. He knew he'd probably yell in fright if that happened. He wasn't a very brave alpha. But he wanted to be. He listened as beyond the door, the school had descended into chaos. Screaming and running. Things knocking over, and others falling over. He tried not to whimper. Hoping he could stay there until he deemed it to be safe.
But nature said he was to live and survive.
He heard a voice in the back of his head tell him, to run.
It was enough for Mingi.
For with a whimper, he bolted from where he was sitting. As he did, he dropped his textbook in the process. And he burst from the closet, into a horror movie of his own. Students ran about, clearly terrified. And as Mingi tried to make some sense of what was going on, it didn't take long for him to find out what was happening. He watched as some students fell, or were tackled by others. Others, that no longer had the tail nor ears of their wolf DNA. Full of gaping bleeding wounds and unsightly. And the stench nearer to them was even worse than in the closet. And while Mingi wasn't fond of horror movies or shows, he knew exactly what he was seeing.
Zombies.
While he's never watched any movies or shows about them, he still got the general idea of the zombie genre. And all that was implied. Without hesitation, Mingi turned and ran to try and escape. To get out. And hopefully, get home. His sense of direction, was askew in the chaos. So he turned and entered the library. He could have groaned. But if he could make it through the library, he could get to the exit doors on the other side. And then make his way home. Mingi looked back to see a zombie coming straight for him. With a yelp, Mingi stepped back. As he did, his foot caught some wiring. And it ended up pulling the computers from the librarian's desk. As the zombie rushed at him, it tripped over the fallen machinery.
With his heart in his throat, Mingi turned and raced for the exit. As he did, he tripped over his own feet. In doing so, he ended up knocking over some bookcases onto other zombies that he hadn't been aware of being there.
Seems being clumsy had it's advantages.
//
To be perfectly honest, the rest was a bit of a blur.
All Mingi knew, was he was home. And alone. Likely, he'd never see his parents again. Yet, Mingi was alive. After he'd erupted into their unit, he turned and slammed the door closed. And proceeded to lock it. Before he dragged a table in front of it to keep it barricaded. As he took time to catch his breath and his wits, he tried not to have a mental break down over what was happening in Korea.
He wasn't meant for this kind of life. He was too weak. Too scared. He wouldn't survive! Surely he should be dead already. Why was he alive now? He didn't expect himself to make it past the first two weeks. If he was lucky, he'd find someone to be pack with. If he was lucky. But Mingi never felt like he was lucky in any regard. They'd only see him for what his bullies had. Weak and to be left behind. He'd be too afraid to stand up to any of them.
But the wolf inside him had other ideas. It would comply and be complicit for the time being. It was merely biding its time. It would show Mingi exactly what it was capable of doing. And any and all others as well. If given the chance.
Speaking of his bullies. Had they survived? He hoped not. If there was one good thing to come from this in his mind, was that he was finally free of his bullies. Harsh and not very nice of him, it was a truth he couldn't deny.
Once he had his breathing back to a more average rhythm, he felt himself calming down a little. Even though he could hear it still going on around him, he was safe in the locked unit. As his mind finally pulled from the sheer panic he'd been in, he began to think a little more clearly. And while he'd have the 'oh, shit' moment of zombies being real, he also knew he had to be smart. He'd always gotten good grades, despite the bullying. As Mingi looked around him, he took stock of his situation. He was alone in an apocalyptic world. But they had a good amount of supplies. He'd have to take inventory, and make the smartest choices he could on what he should start to pack for his time in the wilds.
As he shuffled his way from the door, he felt the weight of everything crash down on him. He was tired. He was ready for a nap. And while he hoped to wake up and it was all just a nightmare, he knew it would help him face it better if he slept. If this was real, of course. Without further delay, Mingi returned to his room. And let himself practically crawl into his bed. He only hoped nature knew what she was doing, and would spare him. The future was suddenly very different than what he'd pictured. It was bleak and almost ashen. Filled with blood and death.
And, would he survive it?