In Search of Safety
It felt so very bittersweet to him, leaving it all behind.
For so long, he's envisioned himself taking it over with his own mate and pups. And producing good harvests. It wasn't exactly a simple life, but it was far more fulfilling. It had been his biggest dream and desire. To reclaim it, before it was lost entirely. To keep it in the family. But now? Now, that dream was gone. Evaporated on the wind, the way the snow had melted in the warmth of the incoming spring. And while the wood held so many memories, there was one that had tainted it permanently for him. He would never forget his face. Or what he'd tried to do. The sheer panic that had coursed through him. And the utter feeling of helplessness. The devastation of not finding his mate.
He could only thank the gods numerously for their grace. And for saving him from such a terrible fate.
He then wished the worst of the other for his betrayal. And for what he'd attempted to do. For the emotional scars he'd left. And the haunted nightmares that plagued him at the worst of times. His only solace, was his beta-alpha packmate. Seungmin was very trustworthy. During his heats, Seungmin had not once touched him. Well, he did. But with a cloth between them. Ensuring he was kept clean and healthy as possible. Even in a world of the roaming ghoulish undead. But when Minho was out of his heats, he could tell he was still unmated.
And for that, Minho was truly grateful.
As they slowly trudged their way through the harshness of their first winter of the new world of the apocalypse, Minho helped Seungmin study to be a medical physician. Knowing the beta-alpha had what it took. Would make it to be a good one. Between trying to survive and studying, they had begun to truly pack away what they could and would need. What they could take, when the snow finally began to melt. Minho had already made it clear to Seungmin, he wasn't staying. Even if it was his dream home and was where he'd spent many summers with his grandparents, it was time he moved on. They needed more wolves. They needed to try and find a pack. And they needed better protections. Seungmin was great. Minho was hardly denying that. But, Minho knew they needed a community.
Neither one was sure if there were any safe zones established yet. Though by now, there had to be some that had cropped up. And just needed better fortification, and more wolves. More supplies. All of that. And he and Seungmin supposed it was time they tried to add to the numbers. But, they had to be careful. And really, Minho only hoped to avoid finding a safe zone with him at it. He wasn't ready to face him again. He was pretty sure of himself. And he as also pretty sure that if he saw him again, he would not be able to function. He would shutdown. Become weak and incapable of standing up for himself. And then, he would feel pain. He wasn't sure what type of pain, but he knew he'd feel it.
No.
If he ever saw him again, he hoped he had his alpha before then. And his alpha could beat him for what he'd tried to do to Minho. But in order for Minho to have his protector, he needed to leave. To find a safe zone. And try and find the alpha that fulfilled his moon song. Minho wasn't entirely too sure where they'd go. And he was also unsure, if he should hand the reigns of leadership over to Seungmin. While true Minho was the older of the two, Seungmin was still a beta-alpha. Would Minho feel safer, giving up command to the younger? Would he be okay with that? Could he follow the lead of the beta-alpha he was pack with? Well, he supposed it depended on how Seungmin felt. He supposed they would figure it out, in their journey to a safe zone.
But for now, Minho had to find himself a weapon.
//
He wasn't sure how he felt, suddenly walking again.
It had been a long time since he first walked the ass long miles to his grandparent's former home. And that had been around the summertime. He wasn't sure his legs were ready for the long road ahead. But, he knew they had no other choice. Deciding they co-lead and co-follow, they walked beside one another. Seungmin had his spiked baseball bat resting over a shoulder. Ready to swing and use as need be. He had taken the hand sickle his grandfather had used for some harvests. Mostly for some of the wheat he collected for whatever their future use was for. It was sharp and blade. It would due for now.
They were silent in their first few miles. Both keeping an eye out for zombies and survivors alike. Or anything else that caught their attention. From possible places to scavenge for supplies, to anything else that may help them in their quest for a safe zone and pack. And at first, there was nothing. Just the open vastness of the more countryside of Korea.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Seungmin raised a hand to cover his eyes. They squinted, taking in something he could just see. Even as they continued towards it. As the wind gently hit them in the face, Minho pulled a face, "Ugh, what's that smell?"
Seungmin hummed, "Sure smells like death. Just not the awful odor of zombies. At least, not a fresh one. I can see something. Might be coming from there. We'll check it out."
Minho nodded, pulling his shirt up and covered his nose with it. Attempting to nullify some of the stench. Seungmin did the same. Clearly repulsed by the smell of it. As they very slowly drew closer, they could scarcely make out what it had once been. Still, they made their way for it. Their first real pitstop. He could just hear the muscles in Seungmin's arm straining. Watching his hand grip his bat a lot tighter. Ready to use as necessary. Seeing this and sensing this, his own hand gripped his sickle just as tightly. They'd fight together, as pack. Minho tried to determine how he felt about this discovery. His wolf wasn't exactly scared. Not exactly demanding he turn a different direction and run. But, he was very much on alert.
As they steadily drew closer, it all began to come into view. This, was a fallen military outpost. How long had it been there? As they drew closer, Minho's mind swirled. Had, his grandparents made it here? Had they survived to this outpost? He wasn't sure about after. But if they had made it to this outpost, then he knew they had been tough and resilient. While he did not doubt their voracity on such things, he did know that they were of a decent elderly age. Slowed down by the hands of time. So while they could have fought as long and hard as they could. Eventually, they would have succumbed to something through their old age.
As they came upon it, they heard the soft buzzing of flies. Taking in the arrangement of corpses. Each with bullets through the head. At least they had eliminated as many zombies from the area as possible. Still, they pressed on. Eager to search the area. Just in case. One could never tell what may yet remain of a year old fallen outpost. Carefully, they stepped over the corpses. Ensuring not to breathe in the odor. Though it was enough to make them gag. And threaten to vomit. Minho followed Seungmin through the former outpost. Checking what they could.
As they approached a large wooden crate, Seungmin gently set his bat down. He gently reached out, and plucked Minho's sickle from his hand. Even as he spoke, "Let me see your sickle for a second." Minho had relented without question. Watching as Seungmin used it to pry open the crate. As he gently handed it back and picked his bat up, he peered in to see what they had. He hummed, and spoke as he pulled out two dark rifles. He shrugged, "Might be more useful than your sickle. I know it was your grandfather's."
Minho shook his head, "No, I get it. Sturdier than a farming tool." He gently accepted the gun without much hesitation, "Thank you."
He gently set the sickle down. The last remnants of his family, now to be left behind entirely. Seungmin then pulled out plenty of magazines of ammunition. Carefully, he set them in his backpack. Willing to haul the heavier load. He was technically speaking built for it. Once they had all he could take, he gently pushed the crate to the side. He picked up Minho's now abandoned sickle once more, and opened up another crate. He smiled behind the mask that was his shirt. He turned and held his hand out, "Give me your backpack."
Minho nodded, pulling it down off his shoulders. He gently tossed it towards the beta. Watching as he stuffed packets into it. Wait. Were those, MREs? Oh, they were certainly going to be useful. They were lucky this go around. After Seungmin had checked each crate and stuffed their backpacks as full as they could, he returned to Minho. Minho was inspecting the gun. Trying to better understand it. Seungmin smiled softly, "I'll show you more as we progress. Never thought I'd ever see the day an omega had to handle a gun, but here we are."
Minho shrugged, "Desperate times call for unconventional changes. We have few choices or even options, Seungmin."
Seungmin nodded, "We certainly don't. We'll use them mostly for clubs. Well, you more than me." He picked his bat up, "I'm keeping my bat. Got me this far. Never know."
Minho hummed, "Eventually, it will splinter the wood."
Seungmin nodded, "Until then, it comes with us. Plus, I may like the sound it gives when whacked hard against a zombie. Call me weird." Minho smirked as Seungmin handed him a bundle of clothing. Then set some boots on top, "Here, hyung. Heard military boots were built to last the long standing and marching. And were great against ankle biters."
Minho nodded as Seungmin turned around. Giving Minho privacy. Neither one risking going elsewhere to change. Never know what zombies may be lurking nearby. While they may not have mutated yet, it was coming. Both knew that. Minho was quick to change into the military tank top and cargo trousers. And to be honest, he kind of liked the way they looked on him. He then put on the new boots. Easily leaving his sneakers behind. They did look very worn and thin. Would fall apart soon. Time he changed them. All that from walking from the city, to his grandparent's? And then from his grandparent's, to here? Damn.
With new military gear and more supplies, they pressed on.
Time to find a safe zone.
//
"Watch out!"
The voice that came, unfamiliar to the two. Eyes wide, even as they ducked. Before a low whipping wind sound came, and the hissing groaning of a zombie. Stumbling back and away from them, both turned to look. Minho looked to Seungmin. Both stunned. How had they not heard it coming at them? How-how long had it been following them? Okay, not entirely the truth. They were in a small little way town, trying to gather more supplies. They had stopped to try and determine where a safe zone may be. And to try and reach it. With any luck. They had slowed their pace to conserve energy. Being in quiet conversation as to what they did next. Both exhausted, and eager to just get some rest.
Both looked up to the one that had warned them, and taken the zombie out. He had a colorful fur coat. Splashes of every color imaginable. It suited him, somehow. He had teal green eyes. A rather noticeable chest. And, he wore military garb. Same as them. He had his arms across his torso, hands gripping the barrel of his gun tightly. The zombie gave a disgusting groan, before turning and facing them again. Seungmin's grip on his bat tightened. Before he turned with it in one hand, and used it to smack the zombie again. Minho huffed, even as he slowly rose to his full height. He stood and watched as both betas took the zombie out.
Once the zombie was on the ground and the two betas were heaving heavy breaths, the beta-omega looked to Seungmin. He then raised his gun again in a threatening fashion, "Who the fuck are you?"
Seungmin growled, "Do you see me threatening you? Back off."
"I don't think so, runt."
Minho watched a moment, before he rolled his eyes. He spoke softly and soothingly, "And here I thought it would be alphas getting into tiffs like this." He approached, gently bringing a hand to the beta-omega's arms. Softly encouraging him to lower his guard a little. As they slowly relaxed, Minho continued, "This is Kim Seungmin. He's my packmate. I'm Lee Minho. Thank you for the save. Honestly, we deserve to have gotten bitten. Not sure why we let it creep up on us. But it's a mistake we are fortunate enough to know we will not have to repeat."
The other beta took him in a moment. Face stern a moment, before he sighed and huffed. He nodded, "Hwang Hyunjin."
Minho nodded, "Pleasure." He then tilted his head, "I do not suppose you know of any safe zones in the region? We've been wandering, trying to find one. We're both a bit eager to join a community. Find a pack, really. We can't be alone any longer."
Hyunjin took him in a moment, before he sighed, "Yeah. There's a safe zone just outside of Mokpo. My safe zone. If I bring you both with, you're both going to have to meet the alphas. They run the place. Mostly because they helped build it and fortified it. Especially all winter. We got a small number of wolves that have come since we cleared the area of zombies. It's safe. For now."
Seungmin nodded, "Sounds doable." He looked to him, "What do you think, hyung?"
Minho nodded, "I say we take a chance, Minnie. We said we were going to try and find a safe zone. We've got one." He was staring at Hyunjin, the beta-omega uncertain why. His ear did flicker though, "I think it will be a good place to call home for a while. Until we all know it will inevitably fall. But that could be a while."
Seungmin hummed, "Just curious, what makes you think we can trust him and his word?"
Minho at this, turned to face him. He smirked, and spoke, "Open your eyes, Minnie. He's one of our packmates. My wolf recognizes him. You think I give out trust like this with ease? I promised my wolf a long time ago, I would listen to it when it told me someone was safe or not. I trusted you, didn't I?"
Seungmin gave an incredulous look, before pointing at him with his bloody bat, "Him? Pack?"
Hyunjin crossed his arms, "Got a problem with that, packmate?"
Seungmin growled a little, taking him in a moment. After a few, he huffed, "Got any doctors in your safe zone?"
Hyunjin shook his head, "No. We got lucky this last winter no one died and turned. Was pretty nasty, though. Plenty fell sick."
Minho perked and turned to Seungmin, "Minnie, this is your chance. You've studied so hard all winter. You're a smart beta. And you've done well on the quizzes. I know you're still studying those books. Nothing wrong with that. But here's your chance to try and get in some practice. We get to this safe zone, you can be a doctor." He shrugged, "Who needs a degree these days?"
Seungmin hummed, "But, what would you do hyung?"
Minho shrugged, "I can farm. Was doing that before I met you. Or, I can maybe do something new. With some decent training." He looked down to the gun in his relaxed hands, "Omegas have never really been one for combat and war. We're seen as too soft and delicate. Some omegas are that way, sure. But I never really was. I was sometimes seen as a bit of a hard headed omega." He huffed, "Before the jungles of concrete and steel went up, omegas could be their own fierce warrioresses in their own right. We can fight just as well as alphas. Maybe better. Nothing threatens the love and family of an omega, and survives. I guess it will really depend on the alphas of the safe zone. But I'll not be relegated by my sub-gender. Yes I know, I can have pups. But I'd like to find my alpha first. He's out there somewhere. And when I find him, he's the only one giving me pups. I refuse to believe anything else."
Seungmin took him in a moment, before he sighed. He shrugged, "Can't beat that." He turned to Hyunjin, "Lead the way, packmate."
Hyunjin smirked, arms falling from across his chest, "Sure. And you're right. It is ultimately up to the alphas. Though they're pretty open minded. And very understanding. And they may actually be happy I dragged in a potential doctor. They have been kind of uppity about having one for a while. But, no one's volunteered."
He turned, guiding them on the way to Mokpo Safe Zone. As they followed, Seungmin inquired, "Do you have like, a building for medical practice? I'll just need a place to quarantine wolves."
Hyunjin nodded, "We should. Most of the sick this last winter just stayed there."
Seungmin nodded, "Works for me." He hummed, then inquired, "What do you do at this safe zone?"
Hyunjin sighed, "Run errands for the alphas. Mostly keep things functioning as best as possible. Though ultimately, I am now a runner. I go on supply runs. This was what I was doing when stumbled upon the two of you."
Minho nodded, "Works for us. If I am lucky, you and I may be working together from here on. I won't mind doing that. To be honest, I have been couped up in my grandfather's farm house the past year. Tending to the crops they left behind. While I can farm, I may want to try something else for a while."
Hyunjin shrugged, "Up to the alphas, but you may have a shot. Could use more. Most everyone's too weak and scared to do so. At least, for now. So, they're doing the farming and whatnot. " He shrugged, "Whatever makes them feel safe, I guess. Whatever they feel they are capable of doing."
They nodded, before falling into a relatively comfortable silence. Though, they were very much aware of their surroundings now. Hyunjin grabbed his supplies, and guided them on the small journey from the small way town they were in. Heading for his safe zone. He could not wait to tell the alphas he'd found two new survivors. And, two more of their pack. He had actually known they were his pack when he and Seungmin had had a stare down. Oh, they were going to be so happy for the two new arrivals. Especially if Seungmin really was trying to be a doctor. They really needed that.
After a decent long enough walk, Hyunjin stopped outside a gate and walls encompassing the safe zone. Both looked up as Hyunjin smiled at them, "I guess, welcome home packmates."
He waved a hand, and the gates slowly opened with a deep metallic squeaking.