V+O; in the Alternate Universe **Completed**

Chapter 39

They were on the move again, it was clear that the population of infected was getting more dense with every advancement on the centre point. They had spent more time hiding from the infected, and moving from building to building, making very slow work of it all. The sun was hot and it beat down on them.

There didn't seem to be a set time in which they were more active to Jin's disappointment. However so far they had done well to avoid conflict with them completely. JK pointed at a store to their left, as another large swarm slowly crept up on them. They stayed low and moved slowly into the shop. It seemed to be some kind of pharmacy. Although the shelves were quite empty. JiMin locked the door behind them, and they made their way into the back to clear the building.

This time they were not lucky enough to be alone. JungKook and Jin made quick work of the straggler before it could alert its friends. JungKook shoved the creature forward and in one swift motion Jin decapitated it. The mouth moved for a second more as it landed on the ground, then lay still.

JiMin had found them some water and snacks, and they ate hungrily; hiding from sight behind the tall pharmacy counter. O browsed through the products left on the shelves, throwing JungKook some cream.

"That should help for that nasty cut on your arm that won't heal, and for you too JiMin for your cheek." She helped them both apply the triple antibiotic, her fingers lingering a little longer than necessary on JungKook's arm. Closing the tube she shoved it into her pocket.

Jin and JiMin sat side by side; "You misunderstand my expression, it is not judgment JiMin, it is sadness. Can't you see they're barely holding it together." When they caught Orailia looking at them they changed topic with haste.

Turning to JungKook she said "I feel like I miss the ocean. It's such a random feeling but like I don't know why... it's like there's a window I miss looking into and seeing the water." JK stiffened and didn't answer at least not at first, his doe eyes closed and he looked heartbroken for a long moment.

"I'm sorry you don't remember everything, you probably don't even realize what you don't remember. Your home in Adelaide had views of the ocean." He lied but it was such a lie that it also felt like the truth. Home for her had always been where TaeHyung was since the second they met and he knew that. Why he couldn't tell her the whole truth he wasn't sure.

"I know Octavia took some of my memories, and sifting through them is like straining mud. I don't even know how to do it in some cases." Sighing, she rested her head on JungKook's arm; he stroked her hair, wishing he could fix everything for her.

"Do you remember Coa?"

"Vaguely, but not enough to feel sad, although I know I should. She stole half of my life it feels like."

"Yea, and that makes sense if you also understand that time in our world isn't linear to here. It looks like a week here but for us it feels longer. It's hard to explain. I'm not so good at concepts like this." As he tried to explain he twirled a sia blade flourishing through the air.

She shrugged, laughing, "it's fine" as she spoke, she looked up at him. He had the softest, kindest eyes she thought she'd ever seen. They were a deep brown, but when the light hit them you could see just how beautifully rich brown they truly were.

Outside they could hear the groans of the infected, though she did notice they never actually spoke. They were more zombie-like than even she had first realized. Passing by with a great herd like mentality.

It was long into the night when finally the slow horde seemed to pass. Jin made the decision that it made no sense to wander around in the night, and that staying put was the safest option for them. It was a good call she thought, especially since no one was ever coming to help them if they needed it.

"At this point if we just take it slow and stay safe our chances are better." Jin said justifying his thoughts unnecessarily.

"You know no one is disagreeing with you right? Sounds a bit like you're trying to convince us." JiMin laughed, running a hand through his hair, he still wore one earring.

Jin just laughed and lay back. "I'm just explaining," a smile still playing on his lips, he looked exhausted through, dark circles making their home under his eyes.

O felt like they had been doing a lot of sleeping and waiting recently but it had been far from the really restful kind, but Jin was right; take the time it takes to do it right so it takes less time.

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Three more days went on like this hoping from one spot to the next, just quietly sneaking their way into the heart.

"We may need to split into pairs to get some recon done, four just isn't conducive of that." JungKook said on the fifth day of hiding out. They all agreed, albeit they didn't like the idea much either.

The choices were obvious, JK and O being attached at the hip as they were, that they went together, and JiMin and Jin went as a pair.

"Stay safe out there brother." Jin grasped JungKook's arm then hugged him. JiMin just gave him a bear hug which was a bit funny considering how JK towered over him.

They both hugged her next, JiMin kissed her on the cheek, "Take care of him okay?"

O just smiled and nodded, knowing full well he meant in the nicest most loving way possible, don't get him killed.

"We meet back here tonight, and if anyones late they wait one day before moving on. Worst comes to worst we meet at the centre in 4 days." JungKook spoke, making sure everyone understood the plan.

They departed the apartment they had been refuging in via the fire escape. They did so as quietly as possible, it was no easy feat considering the ladder was old and rusted. Once their feet hit the ground they sprinted off in opposite directions.

O stuck as close as she could to JK, hearing every one of his breaths. They hid behind a foliage covered car as three infected stumbled by, uncoordinated, one even lacked skin and muscle around its wrists. These things didn't seem to bleed either, they were far less humanoid than any infected they had encountered in Sentana.

JungKook kept moving; hopping from hiding behind one broken down car to the next. Making a split second decision seeing a herd of infected coming from behind them to join the ones ahead. He opened the SUVs door as quietly as possible and beckoned her to get in, then followed. Again he inched the door closed without a noise. Sitting in the back seat thigh to thigh they ducked low. His leg shook in anticipation and nerves, O placed her hand on his knee settling him. They locked eyes, his were searching hers, but she wasn't sure what for. Gripping his knee tighter in surprise as one of the creatures bumped into the mirror of the vehicle breaking it off. They didn't dare say a word, or so much as even move.

When the creatures moved on he finally dared speak; "Your hair looks really good."

She laughed "a bit uneven but the pixie cut does suit, doesn't it?" He nodded, looking over her face with some caution.