Vengeance

two

"Hey."

Changbin looked up as Jackson walked down the aisle, his eyes looking down at him with kindness.

"Hey."

Jackson paused, resting his hands on the back of the chair before him, looking around the aircraft.

"Everyone left already. Everyone but you."

Changbin nodded, his knee bouncing as he stared down at the floor.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Changbin shook his head.

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"Shouldn't you be making sure they know where they're going? It's your house after all."

"I can't get off this plane until I know all of the survivors are off. So, really it's you holding things up."

Changbin laughed softly and Jackson smiled.

"Come on. Let's go in. I think some good food and a nice bed will make you feel a lot better than brooding."

Changbin nodded but didn't move. Jackson started tapping his fingers.

"Did any of the other groups...find a cure?"

Jackson locked eyes with him, his expression growing serious. He shook his head.

"Those who found the sasaengs were able to get some of the injectable zombie serum, but no antidotes. We've been studying them, hoping for answers but we need more. That's why I want to do more than just drop in at the next stop. I want to get in there and search."

Changbin slowly stood, pulling the syringes from his jacket pocket.

"I don't think you'll have to."

Jackson rushed forward, eyeing them cautiously.

"How do you know it's a cure??"

"She used it. On Felix."

Jackson's eyes shot up, meeting Changbin's and softening.

"So...it's only temporary."

"Yeah. But...it's something, isn't it?"

Jackson nodded with a smile.

"Hell yeah. I don't know a lot about medicine but I'm sure it's gotta be good for something. I'll take you to the scientists. Come on."

Jackson held out his hand.

Changbin smiled softly, reaching up and taking it, following behind him as he led him to the researchers.

"How—how did you get your hands on those?" Jackson asked as they walked and Changbin grimaced.

"I did what I had to do."

Jackson quickly realized his overstep and nodded, redirecting the conversation.

"I bet you guys are hungry. I can take the syringes if you want to eat somethi—"

"I'm good."

Jackson decided it was better to keep his mouth shut for the moment, smiling through closed lips as he rushed Changbin along to the research area.

When they arrived, they were rushed to a sanitation room where they had to shower and redress themselves in sterile clothing. Next, they were masked up and gloved before finally being ushered through to the lab.

Jackson walked ahead of Changbin, whispering instructions as they made their way through the makeshift laboratory.

"Keep close to me and watch your movements carefully. All of the equipment and samples they've collected are irreplaceable. I'll take you over to the one heading it all."

Changbin felt the weight of the vials in his pocket increase as they walked and suddenly felt grateful they hadn't been broken in the rush of everything. He had been focused on keeping them safe but only as a forethought to all of the other emotions he was going through.

This might be the one thing they needed to save everyone.

"Glad to see you're still human. You know there's plenty of other people here who can round up survivors."

Jinyoung's words were cold but his smile was genuine as he pulled Jackson into a tight embrace. Jackson shook his head, unamused.

"They need to see a familiar face. They've been through hell. They're not just gonna trust anyone."

"I'm just saying, it's dangerous out there. We all need you here."

Jackson didn't seem to listen, turning instead to introduce the new guest.

"You remember Changbin, from Stray Kids. Well, he may have just gotten us a cure."

Jinyoung's eyes widened as he stared at Changbin and Jackson motioned for him to pull out the samples. Cautiously, he took the vials from his pocket and held them out.

"What are they?" Jinyoung asked, eyeing them closely.

"Temporary cures."

Jinyoung's eyes widened and he turned to Jackson in shock. Jackson smiled.

"What'd I tell you?" Jackson grinned as Jinyoung punched him in the arm.

"You should've told the staff immediately! This is not something you just hold onto for suspense! Someone, get the lab coordinator! We have important new material!"

Jinyoung rushed off to get the lab going, making Jackson chuckle. Changbin wasn't sure how he was laughing at a time like this but his smile helped ease the tension in his chest.

Soon an aide came to grab the samples and they were ushered out of the lab, back to the entry hall. Jackson started to change back into his original clothes and tossed Changbin his own.

"We'll get you some new clothes when we go back up to the first floor. Then I can take you to your living space."

Changbin nodded, sliding out of the crinkly sanitary garments and into his own blood-crusted concert fit. Jackson tried to give him his privacy but couldn't help but stare at the scratch marks along his chest. Changbin finished changing and followed close behind as Jackson took him back to the main level.

"So, what do you think of our lab? Pretty impressive, don't you think?"

Changbin nodded, a small smile pulling at the corner of his lips.

"It's incredible."

Jackson smiled proudly, straightening his back as he walked.

"Hey, if anyone can find a cure, it's those guys. I know Jinyoung's not a doctor or anything but he's a great leader. He's put together the best minds in Korea for this. They're going to find it."

Jackson patted him on the back encouragingly, looking deep into his eyes.

"We're going to win this fight," he said steadily, waiting until Changbin nodded back to pull away and open the stairwell.

"But before then, we're going to need some food in our bellies. I don't know about you, but I'm starving. Let's go get you settled and then meet up with the others in the dining hall."

Changbin had no choice but to follow, happy to have someone giving him instructions. He wasn't sure he'd be able to do anything right now if it weren't for Jackson's constant suggestions. He was so numb, walking itself seemed like a task.

The one thing keeping him going and keeping his mind focused was the sight he'd seen in that lab. The sight of hope.