Shackled Freedom

13. The Gummy Worms

Since they could allow themselves some leisure once the fuel station was secured, San made do on his promise to talk to Yunho. Wooyoung watched them for a while as they idled outside, checking on the jeep and carrying in some blankets to sleep. Their lips kept moving, but they never got so loud that Wooyoung could make out the words. He was thankful, seeing them like this. Both of them were important to him; Yunho since he had always been and San just recently, but he liked seeing them get along. Occasionally, San got dwarfed depending on the angle of his shoulders when he stood next to Yunho, and Wooyoung stifled a snicker about it.

Every day, he was happier with his life. Things never turned out as planned, but that was fine. Even if Mission Bluebird failed, Wooyoung treasured the memories and the friends he made here, the difficult ones and the happy ones. Seonghwa was the voice that could change the world. If not literally, then by giving them the hope that kept them living.

Once satisfied with their hoard of food, Mingi called the others to assemble. Since the space between the shelves was narrow, they made a fire outside in what Seonghwa called the parking lot. Wooyoung suggested staying near the entrance of the fuel station, but Seonghwa refused.

"I can't even begin to tell you how bad of an idea a fire is over there," was all he said, mysterious as ever, so Wooyoung just accepted his quirks.

Everyone picked some conservatives and some snacks. Today, they drank sodas, and the others eyed the brown bottles as suspiciously as Wooyoung did.

"Seonghwa said they make you feel funny," he commented. "There is something in there that makes your minds dizzy and blood weird, but it isn't dangerous if we don't drink too much."

Mingi grabbed one and hit it open with the back of his knife. He smelled it and grimaced.

"Let me guess," he addressed the laptop. "Same reason not to smoke?"

"You got it," Seonghwa replied and ended with a sigh when Mingi tilted his head back to drink in big gulps.

"I know similar stuff, but not this. Is it strong?" San asked as he also took a bottle. He offered one to Yeosang, but he reluctantly shook his head. He found a package of cheese crackers he liked and touched nothing else.

Although he was a laptop, Seonghwa paid them the same company as a human.

"It's called beer and no, not super strong. But go easy since you want to drive tomorrow. You might see double."

"Exciting," San whistled as he tried it. Without needing to meet Wooyoung's curious eyes, he handed the bottle over while the taste settled in his mouth. The beer stunk, but Wooyoung still took a few sips. Nothing as nice as clear water, but also not as awful as some sodas he tried.

By their side, Jongho took off the last bandage he wore over his injury. He cheered when it was fully covered by a rosy scar. Finally, their mechanic could spring around as he desired.

Yeosang peered over.

"Coyote?" He guessed and Jongho nodded grimly.

"Wooyoung and San saved me from the beast. It has been feeling fine for a while, but Seonghwa told me to keep it covered until it shut."

Yeosang nodded while Wooyoung muttered Jongho got himself into that situation.

"Better than getting sand in. Our Seonghwa is really so wise," he muttered in awe. The concept of the laptop confused him as much as it did to Wooyoung in the beginning, but one day, he could also shrug it off. Seonghwa was just weirdly shaped, but he talked like a person. If an oddly knowledgeable and old person.

"Please, I'm just trying my best to keep everyone alive without the aid of hands."

Wooyoung felt light when he giggled. He took another sip of the beer, liking its rugged taste and the warmth it spread in his belly. As Seonghwa said, it wasn't so strong that he lost his mind, but he let go of his constant edge. Those not drinking kept an eye out for him.