Find My Way Back To You

A thin sheen of sweat was his coat, making him glisten in the low lighting around him.

It made him appear tanned, bronzed almost. His black mane of hair was brushed and slicked back away from his face, save for a small strand that stretched in a curve across his forehead. His red eyes fixed upon his target. His fists clenched, wrapped in white gauze and tape. His facial expression serious. He wore some black cargo pants, and black military style combat type boots. With a swish of his black tail in pure concentration, he reached forth with a mean right hook. His fist collided with the red bag dangling from the ceiling before him. 

He continued, sending a left fist after his right. Before repeating a back and forth motion. Punching the- well- punching bag. His black ears with a deep almost blood red trim along the edges perked far forward. His concentration pure. Ignoring the happenings going on around him. From two other alphas practicing in the roped off ring behind him, to others like him doing similar practices.

The air conditioning unit doing practically nothing for the sweating alpha athletes within the building. Even though the lighting was very dim. At least it kept their aggression to a manageable level. There was a different room for the beta fighters. But the ones around him were alphas. Just as he was. His jaw was clenched, making his jawline appear sharp as a blade. 

With a small grunt, he lifted a leg and stretched it out. Kicking the bag with mostly his shin. There was only a small difference between boxers, and kickboxers. He supposed he was a little bit of both. But he excelled more in kickboxing. As he brought his leg and foot back down, he retained his balanced stance from earlier and went back to pretending he had a living breathing opponent. Dodging phantom punches, and some possible kicks. All part of the sport. 

He was in his element.

As an alpha, it was almost natural. At least he'd get paid to fight, and it wouldn't involve the risk of killing one another. It was forbidden in the sport of boxing and kickboxing. He nearly hummed in thought. Possibly in wrestling as well. But, he could not officially enter the ring with an actual opponent until he'd finished high school. But that was fair. He was in his senior year. About to graduate and enter university. And ultimately, go to the military. He actually was considering enlisting as soon as he was of proper enlistment age. He wasn't sure how long he'd be in the military. But he wouldn't mind sticking it out as long as possible.

Maybe when he finally felt the calling of nature to find a mate, and start his own pack unit and family. Despite his sport and possible career choices, Choi San was a very friendly alpha. Really, it was the only way any alpha could form a pack. Strict and stern, even asshole type alphas had harder times even making one. Let alone joining one. And even gaining the affection of their mate.

So, he taught himself to retain some friendliness. As had his parents and sister. At the reminder of his sister, San's gaze drifted temporarily from the bag before him swinging slightly. And gazed at the clock. And what he saw, had him frowning a little. While his beta-alpha sister wasn't a fan of his chosen sport, she was still his loving and doting sister. And she was supposed to be picking him up from practice today. As she often did during the school week after he finished his classes.

Only trouble was, she was late.

Seeing this, San went still a little. Relaxing his stance, and even guzzling some water. This was very much not like his sister. He understood traffic could be terrible a times, but she was never a full half hour late. And his phone hadn't gone off in one of his many pockets yet. He had it on should there be an emergency at home. One could never be too cautious. As he chugged some water for his parched throat, San decided to see if everything was okay. Maybe she forgot. Highly unlikely, but it was his sister.

Upon pulling his phone out, he looked to see he had a few messages he'd surprisingly missed. Why hadn't he felt it vibrate in his pocket? He read them carefully, a frown now marring his face.

As opposed to the serious one.

//

Just as he was trying to puzzle what was going on, the manager of the facility entered.

He looked shocked, and a bit sickly. Before anyone could ask if he was alright, he spoke, "Laugh if you wish, but it would appear movies and shows can become reality. I strongly urge you all to get to your homes as soon as you can. Be safe out there. Survival of the fittest and all that. As of today, this facility is closed. Permanently." They blinked as he turned, and hurried away, "May the gods have mercy on us all."

They watched his retreat, even as whispers began to form. San pulled a frown, and decided to see what the news had to say. He put on the news outlet that was currently live. It was silent enough, everyone could hear. Which served his purpose of having the volume at max. Through the screaming chaos coming from the phone, they heard a reporter talk about a deadly outbreak. And when the word zombies crossed her lips, it was enough for them. Without further hesitation, they grabbed their gear and hurried for the exit.

At least San now knew exactly why, his sister was late. She was either eaten, bitten, or staying somewhere as safe as she could. It was time San headed home. He'd stay there until the initial chaos had died down. Then, he'd figure out what to do from there. It was too chaotic at the moment to do much more planning than that. Without a word himself, San grabbed his gear bag and hurried out the doors with the others.

Straight into the jaws of the waiting flesh eating undead. Some had been taken completely by surprise, and were already on the ground being devoured. Some were fighting off the others. And San? He turned and made a break for it. While he would have loved to help, he knew that it was a risk he could not take at this time. Besides, they were all fighters. They'd be fine one way or another. If not, it proved they were weak.

Sad, but true.

He was stopped as a zombie growled horribly in front of him. As it lurched for the attack, San raised his fist and gave it his meanest of right hooks possible. Not only breaking the jaw off completely, but causing the zombie to stumble back in the process. He gave a satisfied smirk. All his practice was coming in clutch. With the zombie backed off enough, San turned and bolted away. If it gave chase, fine. He was faster than it at the moment. Likely, it would become distracted by an easier target. With his reflexes and practice, he dodged and wove as needed. Ducking swinging arms, and avoiding most of the chaos and carnage.

With little difficulties, San made it home.

//

He turned and with his fully body, slammed the door shut.

He then turned the lock. Before he reached over and pulled the table they usually set their keys and mail over, and pressed it against the door. For the time being, he was safe. As he heaved and caught his breath, San's ears moved about. Listening intensely to his surroundings. Managing to block out the screaming outside both the unit, and the complex. It was so very quiet. He noted the hum of electricity was gone. The power off. Gone for the remainder of their days. This meant that the food in the fridge would eventually go bad.

He nearly pouted.

He hated vegetables!

At least canned food wasn't so bad. Nor were ramen packets. At least there were good nonperishables. With an exhausted sigh, San sauntered off to his specific den. As he reached it, he sat on the edge of his bed. And let the entire situation finally catch up with him. Holy shit. He brought a hand up and ran his fingers through his hair, it helped cool him down a little. He knew he'd break down and grieve the loss of his family and pack. But for now, he was too stunned and numb to really do much. He slipped his boots off, and laid backwards. As he lay there trying to ignore the dying world, he did his best not to vomit or panic.

The smell was awful, and so were the sights. And panicking would do him next to nothing, in terms of good. As he got his breathing back to normal, he felt himself relax. While it wasn't a terribly smart idea to be relaxed at the end of the world, he had few options at this time. He frowned some more, wondering what was to happen in the coming months. How long would he be able to fight? When was his bitter end? He knew it would be bitter. No end was really sweet. It was always bitter. For both the one dying, and the one grieving their loss. 

He supposed he'd let nature light the fire in his heart and soul. And he'd go as long as she said so. He tried not to think of the fact he had to be less friendly and more hostile. He wouldn't easily get a pack, nor a mate. Such a fucking shame. That was all alphas like himself ever wanted. A pack and mate to love and protect. To be with, and have fond memories with.

Now all he had, were the bitter fond memories he had of his own family unit. He knew the rest of his family's pack had been in the neighboring units. That was often how it was. He wasn't close with them. Nor did he really recall them that well. He rarely saw them. And he had a feeling, they were also no longer a pack. Likely gone in some fashion or another.

With a heavy sigh, San turned to lay on his side. There was not much he could do at this time. He'd get what rest he could. Tomorrow, he'd take inventory of what he had. And start to pack what he knew he could carry. What he'd need to survive. And then, he'd have to find a weapon. Much as he liked his fists, he knew how dangerous that would become.

As he closed his eyes to fall asleep, he only felt a small pang fill his chest where his heart beat. He, was going to really miss his sister. He'd adored her. And while they had the brother-sister dynamic well known the now dead world over, they were still fond of one another. He'd been excited at the prospect of introducing his own pack unit to her. And giving her a few niblings in the future. He hoped her death was swift. And that she didn't become one of those things. He was pretty sure, that would be the only thing that could possibly and or potentially break him from his hardening emotions. He had to be strong and fit to survive. But seeing a walking corpse of her, would probably become his undoing.

With a silent prayer she was safe in the great beyond, San fell asleep.

Tomorrow was a new day, world, and life.

And an unforgettable adventure.

Even when some parts he would love to never remember.