First Winter
It was the first winter, since the outbreak.
It wasn't going to be an easy winter. Most wouldn't be. Mostly for the omegas, but a few betas would struggle as well. And even some alphas. It was a time that saw most settling with whomever they have yet, for company. To share warmth and what little food they had. Trust would be tested, and decisions would be forming for spring. Food would be very scarce, so sharing would be important. Stores and shops raided less for food, and more for winter essentials. Blankets and jackets, and warmer clothing.
Any that were on their own, may see death come for them.
Would it be a sweet relief to their wary souls? Would they return as a zombie themselves? They did not know. So much was in the air of the first winter in the zombie apocalypse. It would take a few years for safe zones to be established. And the ability to survive winter increased for each. Well. Depended on what the safe zone was like. Were some run by dictators? Others by open communication? It was all hard to really tell. And by spring, the answers would be far clearer. And what of the zombies? The cold seemed to slow them down. Even temporarily making them into statues. But how would they emerge from their winter hibernation? Would they be the same? Or would the frost have helped mutate the virus to the next variant?
This winter was a test.
And the answers, only revealed in spring. Shaping plans and wolves alike. Helping to determine how to prepare for the next winter. This year, there were no holidays. No twinkling lights, no music. Nothing but eerie dead silence. The wind howling as it whipped through the trees. Between buildings, and in through cracks. Enough to make any and all shiver. Ensuring all had their extremities covered. If they wished to avoid frostbite. Many would shiver and shake. Some would fall ill. Would they survive? Depended on their companions.
Winter was a test.
A test to see how they were with one another. Who was caring and compassionate. Who were willing to help their fellow wolves. If they were alone, was this to be their end? Winter would certainly see how some changed. And how many could retain some of their compassion and empathy. And it also had them wondering about the rest of the world. Surely it had fallen as well. It would clearly be harsher conditions further north. Was there any pity and empathy in their hearts for their fellow wolves, suffering in such regions?
There was Russia, known for its own harsh winters. Even before the outbreak. Norway and Sweden. Canada. A few others, as well. Well, those in the southern hemisphere were still dealing with unbearable heat and still roaming zombies. And through this, one had to wonder of the governments. The military, doctors, and scientists. All of that.
This was their first winter of the apocalypse.
//
There were many shivering, huddled in themselves.
Doing what they could to conserve energy, and even food. Those on their own, would have to take it one day at a time. And be prepared to meet whatever fate they had. If they were lucky, they would have ducked into any building they could. Not the warmest, but certainly warmer than the outside world. The land covered in snow. Making everything bleak and dark. Making structures appear black under intense white. The clouds lingered. Ominous, and grey. Like a heavy blanket over the world. It was eerily silent. Not a sound. No animals, nothing. Straight out of horror. And it was. Just, the zombies were hibernating.
Those in groups of two or more, had higher chances of surviving. For the time being. Food had to be shared and considered. Warmth shared from huddling together. Those with alphas, could rely on them for their alpha warmth and the hunting they could provide. That is, if they were decent alphas still. Those with betas had similar. After all, they could still hunt a little. And even gathered firewood. What fire there was, was used mostly for warmth. But also for any cooking they had to do. And or light, of course.
But, there was no shortage of game to hunt. Rabbits and deer were primary game. With a few others, now and again. Anything to keep from starving. Here was merely hope that the spring brought fresh crops. And a chance to harvest, if they could.
And then there was the matter of how the time was passed. Most slept, trying to stay warm and fed. Some who were fortunate, may have books they could indulge in. Anything to help the dreary days pass. Waiting for the sun to return, and its warmth. The snow to melt. And the inevitable return of the zombies. And the fear that came with it. By then, certain regions would have erected some sort of safe zone. They would just have to find them, and determine if they wanted to be part of it. If they got an option at all.
This was the time to make plans and decisions for the future. What were each willing to do? Where were they willing to go? And this wasn't just in South Korea. It was global. Would they head further north? South? Attempt to cross the seas for a different chance? Would there even be a point in that regard? And would they even be able to cross borders? As far as South Korea was concerned, the border between them and North Korea was still very closed off. But, perhaps the outbreak may have destroyed the no crossing zone. They could venture into North Korea. Maybe even up into Russia if they desired. And besides, if the zombies could migrate why not them?
And there was the question brought up in a time of waiting and struggling to survive. Was there a cure? How many in the world were trying to find a cure? Was there a race? Had anyone even considered it? Well, one in South Korea had. And he was making headway. He'd managed to create some serums. Each more promising than the last. But, what about in China? What about in Germany? In Argentina? Australia? Without communications globally, it was very hard to tell.
And when would they be able to reestablish world wide communications? When would the cities be rebuilt, and how? If at all. What was their ultimate fate? Well, they would have to wait for that answer. And here was still the question of other potential survivors. And how they got into contact with one another. When would they be sustainable enough, to make trade? And would it expand beyond the country? One could suppose it would depend on how and when they got global communications back up.
Even if rudimentary.
This winter was not just a test. It was a chance to have thoughts and questions. Albeit, without any answers yet. But it made one think. Even as they struggled to stay warm and survive. And it helped put things into new perspectives. And gave others a chance to make plans for the melt.
This winter was harsh.
//
It was also a time for growth.
Those brave enough to face the harshness of winter, could bring in game meat to survive. And in the process, may find survivors and take them in. Providing them food, shelter, and warmth. The beginnings of a community, pack, or even a safe zone. It really all depended on where they were led to, ultimately. This was also an opportunity to take out what zombies they could. The creatures still and frozen. Defenseless, and easy to take out. But there were more than they could take out. Even in one winter. And there was no guarantee that they could eliminate them every winter freeze. They could go through their variant evolution. And if that happened enough, the cold may no longer bother them as much.
So, they would have to take out the ones they could along the way.
And this winter also provided idea on how to adjust to the eventual changes. From how to make better safe zones, to how to build their new future cities to avoid such issues. Thoughts swirled in everyone's heads. All different, and all relevant. After all, what more could they do in their first winter in the apocalypse? The alphas had taken up most of the work in establishing safe homes, and zones. Being the ones that could handle the harsh winter. Even relishing in it against their body heat. Only ever brought down during their ruts.
It really was a time to reflect and consider. To really think, and be wiser about their choices. Both present, and future. Of course, it was a time for plotting as well. How to drive as many wolves into one area as possible. Either for slavery, or for zombie chow. Some alphas already starting their reign of terror on their supposed groups. Keeping them on tight leashes. Taking what omega types they wanted, when they wanted. Already, types of wolves and communities were starting to emerge from this winter.
This winter was also the time for one's truest nature to be unleashed. Those who maintained any sort of morals would keep them. Others, would finally toss them aside. Making their own rules and lives. Deciding what they deemed right and wrong. This would be the rise of psychotic wolves, entirely. Of psychotic wolf packs that would be a new problem to be faced. Thus further expanding the dangers of the new zombie world. Now others would have to dodge both zombies, and psychotic wolves. After all, what would psychotic wolves want? Ultimately, that is. They clearly didn't want or need money. Food they could take as they wished. Omegas to fuck, they'd just kidnap and rape them as they saw fit. Was it just for the pure joy of lawlessness? Would they even want a cure to be found, or even developed?
Well it mattered very little.
For Yeosang was very dead determined to make his cure. He was so close. He just had the entirety of winter yet to make his breakthrough. And unlike other attempts for a cure the world over, he would do his best to remain as ethical as he could. He would not sacrifice so many wolves for his cause. He'd do his best to minimize the sacrifice of other wolves' lives.
While Yeosang was making his cure, Minho and Seungmin were staying warm. Seungmin trying his best to become a doctor as well. Minho trying to still the trauma from Woojin from his mind, while also preparing for their leaving in the spring. He'd take seeds from the crops with him. So he could help grow them in a safer location. Chan was laying awake on his back on his new bed. The safe zone of Mokpo finally walled up and cleared of zombies. His mind on his family. From his sister and mother, to what his father was doing. Wondering if the newly established Australian government would have a cure.
This winter was a test. It was a time of reflection and consideration. A chance to plan and determine one's self entirely. To wonder of the future. Both hopeful, and extremely bleak. A chance to cling to what hope they could, or surrender it entirely. And it was also the time for the zombies to maybe make a few changes as well. Would they evolve? Surely by next winter, they will have formed nests. That was often how zombies were in those films and shows. They typically created nests in what buildings they could. Only ever emerging when they smelled prey.
Or heard a noise.
This winter was long and harsh. Cruel and testing. Punishing, but enlightening. A chance to adjust to this new world, and prepare better. It was a time of making decisions and changes. And the chance for a breakthrough. Of all types. This winter, finally saw a cure be made. And just in time as well. For the winter was starting to come to an end.
The snow was retreating for a year.