Wild Wanderings
He brought his hand up, and gently waved it in front of his nose.
Face scrunching. Looking both cute, and mildly disgusted. Trying his best not to breathe in the awful odorous stench of cigarette smoke. He looked towards his right, taking in his hyung. Jisung stood, cigarette between his fingers. Clasped between his slightly parched lips. Jisung was staring ahead, pulling another draft from his current smoke. He was always on the look out for more. Jeongin sighed softly, looking at his hyung in slight annoyance. As if sensing his eyes on him, Jisung raised an eyebrow and looked at him. After taking in his current veneer a moment, he pulled the cigarette from his lips. He shrugged, "What? Like I can control which direction the breeze or wind blows my smoke in."
Jeongin sighed, hand falling back to his side. He knew Jisung was right. Still, he wished he wasn't smelling it. After a few, he spoke. Pointing out what looked like buildings in the distance, "We should head there. See what we can find. Maybe hunker there for the night."
Jisung's gaze drifted in the direction his fingers were aimed in. He nodded slowly, shifting his backpack. Pulling another draft from his current smoke. He nodded, "Sounds like a fair idea to me."
With a direction to head in for and plans, the two made for the structures they could just see in the distance. As they walked, Jeongin inquired, "Hyung, when are we going to try and find others? And from a pack?"
Jisung looked to him, taking in the younger's profile. His slightly hunched shoulders, and clearly trying to stay neutral expression. He raked him from head to toe, and back. A few times. Trying to thoroughly understand his current companion. And while there was a small stinging tugging in his chest, he tried not to feel much hurt. He nodded slowly, before he finally answered, "I don't know. I'm perfectly content to just be like a leaf on the breeze. But, I can tell you could use a pack structure. One larger, and more stable than just marauding about. Like we're currently doing. I assure you, I will find a pack I know will be that for you. Once I am sure I can trust them to look after you and take care of you, I will let you go with them."
Jeongin blinked, even as alarms coursed through his head. He looked to him, and asked softly, "You won't, join us?"
Jisung shrugged, "Don't know. Not sure I'm really meant for a pack life. Not with my temper." He then held up his smoking cigarette, "Nor my clearly bad habit. I doubt any pack would be willing to take me on with these on me." He scoffed, "Doubt any omega would want me as a result, either. I do want you taken care of, Innie. I would be happier knowing you were with a good pack. Having somewhere more permanent to stay. For however long it is to last. Maybe you'll find your mate in the process."
Jeongin sighed softly, "I would want you to come with, hyung. You've been my only family since the zombies came, and I presented. I'd hate to be separated from you. I kind of get why you would. But, even you will want a pack in time. As for a mate and your smoking?" He shrugged, "Maybe they can help you quit. You said you smoke to keep your temper at bay. Maybe they will not only help you quit, but replace them entirely. Being the love, and comfort and support you need. While you are for them, as alpha."
Jisung smirked, before he reached over and tussled his hair, "Look at you, being all wise and alpha, and smart. I'm raising you well, kid."
Jeongin frowned, gently pulling from Jisung's hair, "Don't call me kid. Feels weird coming from someone only a few years older than me." But, he wasn't denying the rest of what Jisung said, "But, thank you. You did. Even if it was in an, interesting way. And, I appreciate it." He drew closer, and nuzzled into Jisung's neck, "You're my pack, and hyung. I will always be glad you took me with you when we met. So, I'm going to take you with me when we find a pack. I'm not letting you be alone."
Jisung smirked, and gently pulled away, "Okay, okay. Unless I feel they're not the right fit for me. That's sometimes how it works, Innie. Not all packs are a good fit for all. But if they have a safe zone, I'll join them there. Just, try and find a different pack."
Jeongin beamed, "Okay, sounds good to me." He turned and picked up his pace, "Come on, hyung. We got some supplies to gather. If we're lucky."
Jisung smirked, pausing to watch the younger's enthusiasm. He was cute. And Jisung was glad Jeongin cared for him equally. Without a word of protest, Jisung followed without another word. He did kind of hope to keep Jeongin nearby. So, he easily agreed to his wishes to join him.
He just hoped that the pack Jeongin picked, accepted him as well.
//
It looked like a small town for passing travelers.
Mostly stores, and small now closed restaurants. Fair enough. It looked like anything in the zombie apocalypse. Rundown, and looking as if its heydays were gone eons ago. Bloody handprints on the windows. And busted out doors, and said windows. As they approached, both scrunched their faces this time. Jisung's eyes swept over the area, taking in the number of zombies laying about. Heads smashed in. Some rather brutally, if he said so himself. Outside of his blinding rage and temper, Jisung was never that harsh or brutal. Only putting enough strength in, to subdue them as quicky as he could. But some of these, looked brutal. As if it were for fun and sport, rather than a mercy kill.
The flies around each corpse was enough to have stomachs rolling. But, they were used to this by now. Slowly and carefully, Jisung stepped over one of the corpses. He examined the area around them, even as Jeongin remained alert. Keeping an eye out around them. He pointed at one with his crowbar, "These look relatively fresh. Like, within the last few days. Maybe a week at most." He hummed, "Week and a half."
Jeongin blinked, looking at him. Uncertain when Jisung began to study zombie kills and zones. But, he wasn't complaining. He frowned, groaning as he did, "This means the place is already raided. I doubt there's many supplies we can gather."
Jisung hummed, "Never know. Sometimes they can be picked clean. And other times, things get overlooked. Though, I just hope there's cigarettes inside. Never hurts to look."
He frowned, even as Jeongin pointed out what he was already realizing, "Hyung. If there are others ahead of us, we may get there too late. And I don't know if I want to meet them right now."
Jisung nodded, "You're right, Innie." He turned, and carefully entered the store. Careful, in case there were any surprises within. Any zombies drawn to the fresh kills. The broken glass from the windows and door tinkled softly beneath his feet. Once he was in and was scanning, Jeongin joined him. Not wanting to be alone when a new zombie came around. With his ears moving a moment, Jisung scanned the entire store. Once he relaxed, he turned to Jeongin, "We're good for now. Let's just see what we can find."
Jeongin nodded, and they stayed relatively close by one another. Finding some medial supplies the other wolves had missed. Either that, or didn't think them valuable. And then finding some supplies of food that the other wolves either missed, or didn't like. Honestly. In the apocalypse, who had time to be picky about food? As they gathered what they could from the nearly picked clean store, Jisung spoke softly, "Before we go, let's see if they have any cigarettes. Until I get my hopeful omega that replaces them as you hope, I will need them."
Jeongin nodded, finding no reason to argue with his hyung about it. He spoke softly, "Maybe risky, but we should try the restaurants as well. Maybe some things in those we can take. We don't know if they were raided."
Jisung nodded, agreeing well with him.
They worked in relative silence, gathering what they could. To Jisung's delight, the other wolves had not even thought of swiping the cigarettes. Yes! He would be set until his next hopeful raid for them. As Jeongin was getting his backpack properly filled out with what they had, Jisung stood behind the cashier counter. He paused, eyes landing on something. With a low thoughtful hum, he pulled it out. A map. He gently unfolded it, and set it out. Curious and finished, Jeongin looked as well. Jisung pointed to a part of the map, "We're here." He then circled a portion of the map, "And we've been around this area for a while. I do know the northern half of Korea is more heavily crowded."
Jeongin's ear flickered, taking in the map and all Jisung was saying. He nodded, "So-?"
Jisung smirked and pointed, "We should head for the southern half of Korea. There will be less wolves, and more chances of successful raids. If we stay here, it will all be picked clean before long. Head for the more rural sections of Korea, as it were. More chances of finding good stuff. Plus, it's got more farms. If we're lucky, we can get some fresh produce. Or even some seeds we can grow ourselves. If we both manage to find good soil, and have a green thumb."
Jeongin nodded slowly, slowly getting what Jisung was saying, "Sounds good to me, hyung. We should finish cleaning this area out as best we can. Then find somewhere we can stay the night. In the morning, we make for the southern portions of Korea."
Jisung smirked, "Precisely."
With a new direction to head in and plans made, they finished their raid. Deciding it would be wise for them to stay in the small area, they made their way to the roof of the buildings. Ensuring they had some protection from any zombies that stumbled by. Sniffed them out. And decided to take a nice bite out of them. It was only for the night, anyway.
Here was hoping they would have better luck in the southern portions of Korea.
//
They were slightly glad to have made the choice to head further south.
It did feel as if they were heading into slightly less crowded regions. And into a more open area, with better chances of getting supplies. Finding packs. And developing safe zones and settlements. An easier place to restart from scratch. The cities were more widely spaced from one another, and it was more heavily rural residencies.
As they made their way south, Jeongin had to wonder if they would ever venture back north. By the time they did, it may be picked entirely clean. Minus the bigger cities. Like Seoul. He wondered how it would all change in the time they were away. He also wondered, how long it would be until most other wolves migrated south. Seeking greener pastures, and more space. It did somewhat feel as if the northern half was a bit crowded.
Just a feeling, nothing more.
They did happen upon an abandoned military outpost. No zombies. No corpses. Nothing. But, they were fortunate to find plenty of MREs and weapons. After carefully combing through the area, Jisung smirked and nodded. Delighted, Jeongin went off and searched the entire outpost. With his weapon, Jisung opened up the crates they came across. Easily taking all the MREs and ammunition they could.
Jeongin looked to the gun in his grasp, "I never got the chance to learn, you know."
Jisung shrugged, "Nor did I. But we can learn together. Just, be careful. We'll use them sparingly. They'll attract more."
Jeongin nodded, as they went through the other remnants left behind. Not even a vehicle in sight. Must have been a hasty abandonment though, for them to leave all the MREs and weapons behind. As Jisung looked through the available cargo trousers to find one in his size, Jeongin inquired while still examining his new gun, "Hyung, do we know anything about-North Korea? Or, the rest of the world?"
Jisung hummed, even as he pulled his current shirt off. And then replaced it with a white tank top, "To be perfectly honest with you, never once crossed my mind. We all know North Korea is very closed off. They wouldn't accept any help. Not even from Russia. And they're supposed to be allies. Sort of. We don't know how this zombie came about. Rather, how the virus spread. Bet it's like all others. Already inside us. Waiting to be properly activated through death. And given the situation in North Korea, that's a lot of zombies bound to crop up before long."
Jeongin shuddered, feeling for their northern cousins. And wishing they could have been free from their regime's tyranny, and power. He sighed, "This probably means the border is now open. Free to go back and forth. Makes me wonder if the soldiers would have feared their superiors more, than the zombies. And resulted in becoming one."
Jisung hummed, nodding slowly, "We won't know. Not unless we have no choice but to head north. Even further past Seoul." He shrugged, "I am kind of curious about Pyongyang. Heard it was a dystopian place to live." He scoffed softly, "And we thought the apocalypse was a surreal event. Seeing that place would make you feel even more so about the situation. If we ever get curious enough and it's safe enough, we may go and just see. Depends on how curious we really are. As for the rest of the world?" He shrugged, "I think one of the messages I got from my mother after I took out my brother, and said goodbye to phone usage told me that it had hit London, England. I grew up there for a time. So, it's likely a global issue."
Jeongin nodded, watching as Jisung finally found himself some military boots. And was tying them to his feet, "I'm surprised the Americas haven't got it under control. They triumph as if they're the best military out there. Size and strength, and all that."
Jisung hummed, "Hubris, Innie. But even the best militaries can fall to unpredictable outcomes. Even if zombie movies and shows have existed for so damned long. One would think all the governments of the world aware of such media, would have their own plans in play. One thing I will never do, Innie. I will never accept the sudden reemergence of the military and government. They let us down and left us to fend for ourselves. I will not go to them when they "save" us. They will have done no such thing. They'll have just saved their own sorry rich asses, and will only realize they're bored and want others to boss around again."
Jeongin smirked, "I won't either, hyung."
Jisung smirked and handed Jeongin a pair of military garb for him to wear, "You'll be glad for the new clothes, Innie."
Jeongin nodded. As he changed, he inquired, "Where do we go now, hyung?"
Jisung shrugged, "We'll still wander. But, we'll try to stay south. You point, we go. For now. If we happen upon other wolves we can trust and form a pack with, then we will." Jeongin nodded as he got changed. Jisung looked around a little, before he spoke, "I think we can set up camp here for a few days. The bunker is a safe place to rest. And it will give us a place to settle for a small bit. We have been wandering a little while, now. After a few days, we can get back to wandering. Maybe head for any of the many residencies around the region. Find a new place to call home for a bit."
Jeongin nodded, "Sounds fair to me, hyung."
With a place to settle for a while, they decided to take time learning their new guns. And Jeongin was free to finally ditch his shovel in full. They did agree to stick between the Yellow Sea, and the Sobaek Mountains. Thinking that it was their best option at this time.
They were a little closer to home.
Well, home number one.