Plague 2022

Chapter 22

THE UNSEEN BATTLE

Minwoo jumped overjoyed, exclaiming, "Thank you so much!" He quickly hopped onto the lift, followed by the others who then climbed into the jeep. Inside, they found a man with burnt marks waiting for them. His presence was both unsettling and intriguing.

In-Ha, cradling a baby in her arms, looked at the man with concern. "Are you okay now?" she asked gently.

The man nodded, his eyes drifting to the baby. "Are you okay?" he asked In-Ha, his voice deep and coarse, a voice they had never heard before.

In-Ha smiled warmly, her worry replaced by relief. "Yes, we are," she replied, her happiness evident.

Yuri, gathering her courage, asked the question that had been on everyone's mind. "Can you tell us how you managed to get through those zombies?"

As the man's gaze shifted to Yuri, she instinctively tightened her grip on Jaeyeon's arm. The stranger sighed, a heavy sound that seemed to carry the weight of his experiences. "I am Jeha. And I am not a man. Can't you see?" he said, pointing at himself.

"But-" Yuri started, only to be interrupted.

"The way you look at me makes it clear. I am not that old, alright. And about whatever you just said, I beat them up."

"You beat them up?" Yuri echoed, disbelief in her voice.

Jeha's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who are you?" he asked.

"I am Yuri. A teacher," she replied, her voice steadying.

"Right. Yes. I beat them up, Seonsangnim," Jeha said, using the Korean term for teacher.

"How?" Yuri pressed, curiosity overcoming her fear.

Jeha raised the staff he was holding. "With this."

"You... killed them?" Yuri asked, her voice a mix of shock and intrigue.

"No," Jeha replied, shaking his head. "I don't think they die like that."

"Are you a student, Jeha?" In-Ha asked, her voice gentle.

"Yeah. From Incheon," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Incheon?" In-Ha repeated, her brows furrowing.

"Yeah."

"I see. Jeha, what were you doing out here all alone in Seoul?" she asked, her tone softening.

Jeha shrugged. "I don't know. Someone started acting weird in our school. The students ran out. I did as well. Then we saw a train and boarded it. Somehow I ended up here. In Seoul."

"Hah? I - I see. Anyway, we are sorry for what we thought about you... the marks on your face..." In-Ha said, her voice trailing off.

"Yeah. Whatever," Jeha replied dismissively.

Mina, who had been listening quietly, suddenly erupted in anger. "YOU ARE A FREAKING STUDENT?" she screamed, her eyes blazing with fury.

Jeha nodded, his expression bored. "HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME, YOU LOWLY IDIOT."

Jeha clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Can you not start that again?" His aura seemed to envelop her, silencing her instantly. Her frustration was palpable, her fists clenched in helpless rage.

Minwoo sat silently in the corner of the seat, observing the tense exchange. Jaeyeon, sensing the need to leave, started the engine, and the jeep took off, the group heading towards an uncertain future.

Halfway through their journey, the jeep hit a particularly rough patch of road, causing a big jerk that rattled everyone inside. Minwoo, caught off guard, grabbed onto the walls for support, only to begin coughing violently.