A Change In My Plans
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.
As far as the plan he'd made in attempts to go against the grain, this hadn't been one of them. At least, not one he made sure to think through thoroughly. He knew things like this could happen. It was inevitable. But he had hoped that he'd be good enough to slip by unnoticed. Seems he'd miscalculated. He'd learn from this, and improve. If he managed to get back to his safety zone alive, that is.
His feet pounded on the asphalt and concrete below. Breathing rapid and deep. Audible past his chapped lips. Chest slightly heaving. Body pressing forward. Legs carrying him at his running pace. His thick black ears flickered behind him. Hearing the pursuing moaning and groaning that came from the undead zombies, he was currently the company of. He turned, quickly ducking down the alleyway. He didn't dare look behind him. To see if they were still following. He could bloody fucking hear them. Besides, he looked back? He'd trip and fall. And then it would be even more nightmarish for him.
No.
He had to face froward and get back to his safe zone. He was almost there. He could just see the building he was housed on the roof of. He was almost there. He could make it. His red eyes flared a moment. Gritting his fangs, and growling. Calling upon his inner alpha wolf to push him the rest of the way. He really needed to work out a little more. Well, he'd be getting that in the coming months. Or, however long this fucking lasted. Or rather, how long he lasted.
Kim Hongjoong could fucking curse himself out later for his stupid slip up. After all, there was no one but himself to blame. But, at least he'd finally cleared out the inner two circles he'd made of the city. Finally, he was working his way out. But this now brought into question, why was he trying so hard to accomplish this? Eventually, he'd give up on this venture. Was it really worth it? He had to eventually leave. It wouldn't do his mental health any good. Nor his physical safety.
But where would he go? What would he do? And, did he dare leave a goldmine of supplies? He wished he knew. He also wished he had the time to stop and think on all these questions. But as it was, he was trying to flee a small herd of zombies following him. He pushed through, running as fast as he could. Even as his lungs began to burn. Yeah, he really needed to work on his cardo more. And his lung capacity. Would help with future issues like this. Just a little further. He could make it.
When he finally entered the shadows of his building, he felt a small sense of relief wash over him. But he could not stop to catch his breath just yet. Slow as they were currently, they were still following. He could hear them. Almost smell their pungent stench. He approached the alleyway the fire escape was. And even as he ran for it, he braced his legs for the inevitable leap he'd have to make. He supposed leaving the city would be nice. If it meant he'd stop having to put his body through this level of torment.
His hand reached out. As it wrapped around the bottom most bar of the fire escape, he felt his fire return. Finally, he was near to safety. He was quick to scurry up. As he did, he pulled the lowest section up. As he did, there were some that had managed to somehow catch up to him. Either that, or they were fresh to the herd. They groaned, reaching up for him. Wanting his flesh. Some he could tell had once been females. Their hair long. And looking so greasy. He didn't pity them, though. He didn't exactly have much for a shower either. He turned, and continued his way up. Backpack thankfully weighted enough with his few findings.
Once on the roof, he collapsed at last.
//
He'd taken some time to recover.
Mostly resting. Sleeping. Napping. And catching his breath. Listening to the zombies mill about below him. Well fucking shit. How was he supposed to get back down now? He didn't know how long they'd linger down there, before they'd move on. Either forgetting him, or thinking he'd finally died and become one of them naturally.
He'd clonked out from his run back here. It was the deepest he's slept since he first arrived here. And he knew that that wasn't always the best idea. But so far, it was just him. Him, and the zombies in this city. But he could never count on the zombies staying slow and stupid forever. True, their evolution wasn't liable to happen anytime soon. It would take time. Years, even. After all, it took hybrid society many eons to shift from being pure wolves. To what they were now. Though he knew there were some that were lucky enough to retain the turnskin genes. Able to return to all four legs, and a body of fur. But they were hard to come by. And often tended to live alone. Closer to nature.
As nature intended.
This brought a soft smirk to Hongjoong's face. He nodded. He supposed he got it. Nature was probably upset they'd drifted so far from her touch. Were losing what few connections to her they had left. So, she unleashed this virus. If she couldn't have them alive. She'd have them dead. And she'd change them to be her new vicious wolves.
Hongjoong gave a soft scoff, head bowing. He spoke softly, "I get it. I am sorry. But in a way, you reminded us you're there. Waiting for us to come home. And those of us that survive, will. If you let us. There needs to be sub-species, after all."
With that, Hongjoong finally emerged from his tarp tent. As he did, he noticed it was night. The sky covered in an array of twinkling stars. It still held his breath to this very moment. So long, they'd forgotten what they looked like. Light, unable to be touched by their attempts to leave nature behind. He approached the edge of the building. Once there, he set his elbows on the side. Leaning on them. He looked down for a moment. Watching the zombies mill about. From what he's observed, they were no different at night.
Not yet, anyway.
Was that to be their first evolution? If so, then shit. That was really going to suck. After watching them a moment, he looked up to the stars instead. He spoke, "Gods above, please. What am I supposed to do? Should I leave?"
He looked down from the night sky a moment. Taking in the now dark cityscape about him. He bit his bottom lip. But, there were so many supplies here. He was sitting on a golden egg. But, was it worth it? He knew he couldn't stay here forever. It would change him in ways he wasn't sure he was prepared for. And how was he supposed to meet a pack? A mate, if he remained where he was?
With another heavy sigh, Hongjoong looked up at the sky again, "Please. What am I supposed to do? Guide your lone alpha on the path you want him to go."
He hoped they heard. That was perhaps another issue that he was starting to realize. They called upon the gods, but he wasn't sure anyone's really called up to them for help. Not fully. He doubted they remembered their names. Perhaps this was their wakeup call. To return to them as well. After all, nature was technically speaking their companion.
He was pulled from his inner thoughts, to a star that seemed to shine particularly bright at the moment. He watched it, ready to wish upon it. Before it shifted. Shooting across the sky, and into the greater parts of Korea. A soft smile graced his face. He nodded, face dropping, "Okay, got it. Give me some time to gather what I can and leave." He looked back down to the streets and alleyways below. Before he grimaced, "And can get out of here safe and alive." He then smiled back up at the sky, "Thank you. I'll, try to return to you fully."
With that, Hongjoong returned to his tent. And had something to eat.
Seems he was changing his plans soon.
//
Their numbers had only dwindled a little.
He frowned. Well, he was staying until they were all gone. But he supposed in the meantime while he waited, he could plan his newest move. Leaving the city at last. The trouble there, was he didn't really have a new destination in mind. Nowhere he really wanted or needed to go. Other than just out of the city. He had no real plan aside from leaving the city. But he supposed he'd let the will of the gods and nature guide him as necessary. For now, he could consider how he was packing his shit up. The tent could stay. No sense bringing such a noisy thing. He would duck into abandoned buildings as he could. Those that were intact enough, of course.
He supposed the biggest concern he had. And others should also have had, were where to get supplies. Eventually, they'd be gone. Even the cities would be empty of potential supplies. Especially long after the zombies were gone. And cities eventually became the hub for psychotic wolves. A place for the unhinged and crazy to make into their territory. Their hunting grounds. And even kept zombies around as pets for their own sick and twisted reasons. Would cities even be worth it when that began to happen?
Hongjoong softly sighed, even as he worked to stock all his current supplies. Maybe, it was best he left the city. He wanted to leave before they came in. He would do his best to never enter a city again. Maybe the outer most extremities. But he doubted they won't be the first picked clean. But it would never hurt to try. He really hoped he knew how this would all end. Was there hope for their species? He wasn't certain. He wasn't sure he had any. He was certain the world would soon have just zombies.
But he knew to always have a small sliver of hope, to cling close and tight to his chest. In case it could grow. And become reality instead.
Thankfully, a wolf he'd meet later on would help him with that hope.
Without further thoughts, Hongjoong looked at his supplies. He nodded slowly, it would be enough for a while. But he'd like to have a little more. Just in case he went longer than he wanted without supplies. Well, here was hoping that nature and the gods didn't just feed all the zombies all the wild game out there. His inner alpha may actually enjoy that. Be happy to actually hunt again. To reconnect with a part of his soul nearly lost. The thought had a grin stretch across his well tanned face. Maybe it really was time, they got back to being more wolf like. Sounded nice. Even fun.
Hongjoong's gaze soon landed on his cane. He was keeping that, though. No matter what. He quite liked it. But he was also slightly worried, he'd lose it. He supposed everything was in the hands of fate, nature, and the gods. He just had to trust them. All he could do, was run and hunt. Hide and rest. And really, that was all all survivors could really do. When that would change? He wasn't sure. He just hoped to be there when that happened.
With a new plan in mind, Hongjoong just had to wait until the coast was clear. Then he'd leave as guided. For the time being, Hongjoong got a little more rest. Gathering what he could for the long road before him. He'd have to monitor the situation down below. A slight thought that came to him, sent a shiver down his spine. What if, they had entered the building he was on? Determined to get at him? The door would hold. But, for how long? Time for him, was now suddenly very short. If the gods could hold them back just a little longer, he could get out. And away.
Into the wilds.