Strike Out On My Own
It had seemed almost cliche, yet the idea was also ingenious.
While he'd have preferred the sturdier metal bats, he wasn't sure he'd get his hands on one. So, he had to improvise. He first wrapped some aluminum foil around most of the bat. Only two to three layers. For one, it would stop the toxic poisonous blood from reaching him too quickly. And secondly, it would keep his bat from breaking so soon. He knew it would see a lot of use. Next, he had to hammer in some nails. Some all the way. Others, only to a certain depth. Yes, this was seen often on shows and movies with zombies. But they seemed most effective.
And if it also looked cool, then that was a bonus.
Once Seungmin's bat had been modified into a zombie weapon, he went about starting to clear his apartment of essentials. Such as food and medical supplies. Along with water. Though he knew, bottles could become heavy as well. He'd have to find a water filter at some point. Once he had his backpack filled with all he could collect from his unit, he knew it was time to face the complex.
After that, he'd leave the area.
He wasn't entirely too sure where he'd go after. He supposed he'd just go wherever the winds took him. When he'd find a pack to join and a base to call home, he wasn't sure. He supposed it depended on what he felt at the time. What his inner wolf told him to do. He wondered what his value as a beta in this new world was, now. Was he considered weaker and unimportant? Highly important? What he did suspect, was he'd be treated a little bit better than any of the omega types. He knew what kind of new world they were in for. And he felt so much for them. His heart straining and aching for them. They were worth more than that. But zombie apocalypses and a world without any true laws to govern them all anymore, it no longer mattered.
As Seungmin went to leave his apartment and begin his raid of the complex, he nodded to his own plans. He would only join wolves that still retained some moral compass on how they treated others. Any psychotic wolves that liked to hurt others for fun, make zombies into pets, or treat betas and omegas less than dirt were not wolves he'd go with. He had his principals and standards. His morals he wasn't willing to let go. He supposed this was nature's truest test with this zombie thing. How it would change wolves. Perhaps those that held to a certain moral compass like he did, could survive to see a better future.
One with a possible cure.
A possible mate.
More pups to sustain their future as a species.
But omegas seen as broodmares and pleasure toys would eventually put an end to it. He recalled somewhere reading about the fact omegas had a unique way of self-exiting this life, if they felt that it would be better for them than the life they were living. In short, they get abused they peace out. And the rest of society usually paid a price for it. Beta, and even female alpha reproductive capabilities took a major hit. A little hint from nature that she liked a nice balanced world. Was this zombie outbreak her way of doing a reset?
He would not put it past her.
The world was so very unknown. The paths ahead fogged and unclear. He supposed he'd just have to keep his wits about him.
As it was in most scenarios such as this.
//
His fingers drummed softly, slowly tightening his grip on the wood.
He'd found some fingerless gloves in one of the units. He did not bother to figure out much more. He was just glad the gloves fit him. They'd help with possible blistered from his bat getting into his hands. Feeling pain from holding and using his zombie weapon, would make him eventually not want to use it. His green eyes remained narrowed, watching as the zombie slowly stumbled over towards him. His jaw was set, his concentration pure. He waited for it to get closer. His backpack of supplies on the floor beside his feet. It was cumbersome in moments like this. The weight on his back made swinging his bat more difficult. He knew in time, he'd have to adjust. So that he could keep it on and defend himself.
Especially when the going got a little more tougher than this.
Once the zombie was close enough, it let out a wet roar of sorts. And rushed at him. Seungmin brought his bat up, and took it into his other hand as well. With a firm two handed grip on it, he swung his nail embedded bat down onto the zombie's head. Beating it repeatedly. Listening to the splattering and squelching. The wet sound of the zombie's mushed brains being beaten in thoroughly, and putting an end to its unnatural life. And releasing whatever soul may yet be trapped within. He was breathing heavy, eyes remaining on the zombie. Before he put in more effort to really beat its rotten brains in, just to make sure it wouldn't rise again.
He wasn't stupid.
He was a beta, after all.
Once he was finished, he took up his backpack and slung it over one shoulder. He sniffled a little, but said nothing. Wisely stepping around the corpse, as he made to continue with his current mission to raid the entire complex he'd called home. After that, he'd leave for the great unknown.
He did feel bad for the zombies. They had been wolves once. With their own lives ahead of them. Their own hopes and dreams. Their own stories. Ones that ended in such a brutal way. And it then made Seungmin infinitely curious. What stories would he encounter in the coming however long he lives? What would their stories be? What were they doing on day zero? What had they hoped to be one day? The mate they'd envisioned for themselves. Come to think of it, he never really knew what he wanted to do with his own life. Other than play baseball. He'd never really considered any other career path. What would he had wanted to do?
But then, it mattered little anymore. His possible future career may not be useful in times such as these. He supposed he'd now have to determine, what he wanted to do in this new world. When he finally found a pack he could join that held to a moral standard similar to his own. What would he be best at for their pack and base? But he also found, stressing about it would not do him much good. He'd just have to take each day as it came. Running and surviving. Going where nature guided him as she felt best.
At least he'd start with a good haul of food and medical supplies.
//
With the last of his raided supplies in his backpack, he zipped it shut.
Sealing his treasures inside, making travel easier.
Eh, for the time being.
He sighed as he put it on. He looked back, and to the stairs he'd slowly worked his way down. Wishing the dead zombies now slowly becoming a pile of bones, peace in their eternal rest. Farewell to his family, uncertain of their fate. Maybe they survived and he'd find them one day. If not, then he would miss them. And hoped they'd find peace in the great beyond one day. One day, when someone finally released their tortured and tormented souls.
That was something he found most zombie shows and movies never really considered. Was there still a soul trapped somewhere in the reanimated corpse? Was the wolf they once were still buried inside, waiting for release? Begging to have their carcass ended so they could move on? Did they feel pain as a result? Relief? He knew he had so many inquires that may never receive an answer to. He also knew, so did others. But he liked to think that somewhere in those slowly rotting brains and in their bloodshot eyes, the wolf they had once been was still there. Silently begging for someone to put them to rest.
Which made those that killed zombies for sport and or for fun, the worst ever. Unaware of how cruel they really were being to someone just wanting to find rest. He felt those kinds of wolves, should be haunted for their mistreatment of the poor souls. But those like himself that didn't take pleasure in killing zombies, but knew it had to be done for the soul trapped and their own sakes, should feel some sort of peace.
Maybe it was just his beta perspective on life.
But perhaps that was what this world needed. Some beta perspective. To think clearly and critically. To have these big inquiries and compassionate thoughts. It showed to him, betas would be valuable in this new world. As much as they were meant to be before the end. He knew some alphas had put everyone else down. Seeing anything lesser than alpha as weaker, and easily walking over them. But he also knew some alphas saw omegas and betas as treasures to be cherished, and protected.
But that was a lifetime ago, by now.
With a final glimpse around the complex interior, Seungmin turned to make for the great world beyond. He wondered if he'd actually make it to North Korea in the future. He doubted there would be a border much longer. As reclused as their northern neighbors could be, he doubted it hadn't reached them either. Hadn't ravaged them to the point of possibly behind wiped out entirely. Was that how far he'd end up traveling? It would certainly be something.
He took in a deep breath, and held it. Cautiously, he made his way out of the building. He looked around, scanning his surroundings with untrusting green eyes. But when he saw no rambling herd of zombies nearby, he did relax a little. With a nod mostly to himself, Seungmin turned and hurried for one of the alleyways to get out of the wide open of the streets. They'd be congregated there for the time being. And much like any other survivor with half their brains still in tact, he was quiet. But not to the point it was painful. Going at a fairly casual walk. Only pausing and listening hard, for possible troubles.
But not running either.
No sense in drawing unwanted attention one's way, by making too much noise from trying to escape. He held a firm grip on his bat, his only saving grace. And he was as swift as he could be, whilst still trying not to run. He wanted to get to the edge of the city by sunset. Even if he had to duck into another building for the night, he just wanted to be able to leave the city with relative ease. Either before sunset this day, or as soon as possible the next morning. After that, was anyone's guess.
He kept high alert of his surroundings. Checking all around him in case some headed his direction. But the occasionally reaffirming of his grip on his bat, did calm his slightly racing heart. He'd be okay long enough to get out of trouble. At least, he hoped so. But if he got swarmed, it was over for him. He'd need backup. Someone, or someones to help him fend off more than he could handle alone. Thankfully, Seungmin hadn't lived in a complex too far from the city limits. So even with zombies threatening around every corner, Seungmin made it to the edge of the city. With a final look back to it and a final goodbye to his old life, Seungmin turned and went into the unknown.
And whatever came his way next.