Our Protector ✔ || All of Us are Dead x Reader

Chapter 7

"This isn't how it's supposed to be," you choked out, clutching Min-Ji. "You were fine."

"Am I turning, Y/n? I don't want to die," she sobbed, her voice ragged.

Panic flared. "She's not turned, is she?" You scanned the others, who were shrinking away. "Tell me she's not."

"She was infected!" Na-Yeon shrieked, grabbing the umbrella and blocking the doorway. "Get out!" Others echoed her fear.

"Shut up! She wasn't bitten! Min-Ji was fine!" Your voice cracked with desperation.

"I'll go... if I go, will you leave everyone else alone?" Min-Ji asked weakly, a tremor running through her. You reached for her, but Dae-Su, tears streaming down his face, held you back. He was her friend too.

"Get out!" Na-Yeon screamed, her face contorted with fear.

"Okay, I'll go. Just...stop it," Min-Ji whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her bloodshot eyes met yours, brimming with tears, but she managed a weak, heartbreaking smile.

Before she could speak, Min-Ji collapsed, a horrifying cracking sound echoing in the room as she writhed in agony. "Someone, throw her out!" Na-Yeon yelled, her voice laced with hysteria. As Min-Ji rose, zombified and snarling, her attention was drawn to someone singing softly from the window frame, clinging to a hose.

"When you're looking at me, I've never felt so alive and free," you sang, forcing a smile, knowing it might be your last.

A chilling echo responded, a guttural shriek. "When you're looking at me, I've never felt so happy!" The zombified Min-Ji lunged, plunging through the window as you swung away on the hose. Your gaze followed her fall, watching her join the horde below. Hyo-Ryung sobbed, recognizing Min-Ji's favorite song.

Memories of Min-Ji flooded your mind: her kindness, her insistence on fun, her comforting hugs after fights with your parents, your first playful teasing. Now, those happiest memories were the most painful, etched with the indelible mark of loss.

Dae-Su pulled you back into the room, into a heavy silence of shared grief. You gripped the window frame, knuckles white, fighting back tears, trying to be strong for Min-Ji. Your body trembled, a chaotic mix of hurt, confusion, and raw frustration. She had been fine, and now... this. If she had to change, you needed to as well.

Gyeong-Su wrapped his arms around you from behind, sensing your distress. He rubbed your arm, a futile attempt to soothe the unsoothable. "I told you all. She was infected," Na-Yeon declared.

"Are you happy now?" Dae-Su shouted, tears streaming down his face.

"You were all wrong, only I was right," Na-Yeon sneered, her face smug. "What would you guys even do without me?"

The room was silent, broken only by Gyeong-Su's soft reassurances. Miss Park watched you with worry, aware of your close bond with Min-Ji and the stress she confided in her. Miss Park knew you better than anyone since Hyo-Ryung, and helped you maintain a healthy life.

"Maybe you did it," Nam-Ra stated, her gaze fixed on Na-Yeon. Everyone turned to Nam-Ra except you, your eyes scanning the darkness for your zombified friend.

"What?" you murmured.

"I saw everything, Na-Yeon..." Nam Ra said, calm but firm. Na-Yeon's arrogance faltered, replaced by fear.

"What? What'd you see?" she demanded, still trying to maintain her composure.

Nam-Ra stepped closer, each pace heightening Na-Yeon's anxiety. Sweat beaded on her brow as she desperately concocted a lie. "You're the one who did it."