Vengeance

twenty four

"Before we can get any further with the cure, I think we need to move on to our next order of business. It's time to decide if we should inject the mindless zombies with special serum. There have been good arguments on both sides, but ultimately, it's up to the group vote. Those in favor, raise your hands."

Everyone looked around at each other after Jinyoung's words, trying to see what others would pick. Yeosang was the first to raise his hand, followed shortly after by San, Wooyoung, Jeongin, and Seungmin. Seonghwa and Changbin soon followed suit, grateful that their own loved ones were able to speak with them and know they were safe.

After a few minutes, the votes were in and it was decided. They would turn each of the zombies into special ones.

The injections had been developed from the research over the past few days and were moved to syringes as the medical staff prepared to dole out the new virus. It felt strange to think that the best option at the moment was another zombie infection, but when weighing out the benefits of each individual's sanity, it only seemed fair.

The Stray Kids members followed the doctor who was in charge of turning Chan and they waited outside the room patiently, trying to listen for what happened inside. At first, it didn't seem to make much of a difference, other than a decrease in the amount of snarling behind the door. But once the doctor stepped out, they could see the dark veins beginning to lighten as the tears on his throat began to once again drip blood.

They rushed in, worried at first until they noticed the skin slowly beginning to form a cover over the wound, piecing him back together. They nearly shed tears as they watched the life returning to his dark brown eyes as the last of his injury was healed, as if it had never happened.

Chan looked around anxiously, his senses slowly coming back to him. As he made out the faces of his members, he began to calm down, a bright grin lit up his cheeks as he knelt to the ground.

"You're all...you're all okay," he whispered, the sound of his voice so warm and familiar the others couldn't help but burst into tears as they raced towards him, wrapping him in a massive group hug.

"You're back," Jeongin cried, burying his head in Chan's shoulder.

Chan laughed softly, trying his best to hold all of the members in his arms. He looked around, counting their heads before realizing they were missing a few.

"H-Han and Minho?? A-and Felix??" he asked worriedly, looking around but Changbin quickly pulled away, looking him in the eye with a warm smile.

"They're here, just resting. Han and Minho were injured. I don't know how much you remember after you were turned but Minho's still recovering from the gunshot wound. But he's walking again. Han made it out the first time without a scratch but dared to go back again and lost his arm in the process. But they're both doing just fine," he reassured him.

Chan took a moment to process it all before continuing with his questions.

"Where's Felix?"

"He's down here like you. He was turned back at the venue. But at some point they injected him with the same stuff we just gave you. You're still not quite human but we're so close to figuring out a real cure. You'll be back to normal soon."

Chan didn't know what to say, looking around at them all. Finally, he remembered his own injuries and reached for his throat, feeling the healed skin. He looked up in alarm.

"It's a bonus of the special serum. It makes you conscious and also gives you insane healing powers. Some of the other members even healed from head wounds," Seungmin smiled.

"So–does that mean Hyunjin is healed too?" Chan said, sitting up excitedly.

The other three fell silent.

"It only works if you had the injection first," Jeongin said quietly.

Chan realized his mistake and redirected the conversation.

"I'm really grateful for all of you. I'm so proud of you. I don't know how the hell you pulled any of this off or where we are, but–thank you. You're all incredible."

They pulled him back into a hug again, just as shouting from the hallway caught their attention.

"Try again! You must have grabbed a bad solution! It has to work! We tested it, everything's right!"

It was Yeosang. Something was wrong.