[✓] scream | NCT Dream

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The hospital was dark as well. In fact at night, it was way too creepy and no one could fall asleep without having four torches on each corner of the icu room. Though, Chenle was sure, like him no one else could fall asleep. 

They were eleven till a few hours ago. And now they were ten.

He had this swell of pain and guilt in him. If he hadn't made that stupid slip while trying to get around the system of the radio, they all could have given Jisung the proper goodbye he deserved. Sighing, he turned in his bed just to see a crying Jiseon on the bed next to his.

She silently wiped her tears, though it didn't seem to stop. The sight was too much for Chenle, whose own eyes started sting. He turned the other way to see Yujung. She was facing him too, a tired and sad look casted over her face. 

Their eyes met and she offered a small smile but Chenle couldn't bring himself to smile back. Yujung understood because she reached her hand out to him. He reluctantly clasped his hand with hers, their fingers lacing. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze but Chenle just couldn't shake off the feeling inside him. 

---

It was already the next day. One day since leaving the hotel. 

Jeno was staring off into space as he finally let Jiseon take a look at his wound. Though when she treated it he felt no pain. And in much contrast to Minhyung who was hissing and groaning next to him while getting his wound cleaned, Jeno was very silent. 

Jiseon was quiet through the entire thing and by her puffy eyes he could tell that she was crying again. It was horrifying to even remind himself of the reality. He had no idea what to do. He had no idea on how to accept the fact. 

Jiseon on the other hand, had Donghyuck by her side all the time. Like now he stood next to where Jeno was sitting, watching Jiseon with focus. As if she could break any time and he would be there to hold her together.

Jeno glanced over to Seolmi, who was was lying on her bed, eyes closed. He wondered if he liked Seolmi as much as Donghyuck seemed to like Jiseon. It was obvious to him that he liked her. But he felt distant from her. 

Jiseon: Done...

She whispered and he looked down at the bandaged wound. Jeno ran a finger against the stained veins, the purple colour only looking darker from when he was first scratched. They were reaching his elbow and he couldn't stop thinking of when he would turn. When would he snap?

He looked around the room where everyone were just sitting or talking within themselves. He didn't want to hurt anyone, he didn't think he would be able to forgive himself if he did. He looked back at Seolmi, wondering what she felt. They still hadn't talked after she scratched him. And honestly he wasn't mad at her. The thing that scratched him was not her but her infection. But if the just the thought of hurting someone was eating up Jeno from the inside, he wondered what she was going through after actually doing it.

Jiseon stood up and went to put away the tools she used. Again, Donghyuck followed her. In that moment, Jeno made up his mind to go talk to Seolmi but before he could do anything, Minhyung spoke up. 

Minhyung: Guys. We need to check the other wings of the hospital. Maybe get more supplies? Food, if there is any?

Jaemin: Where? When we entered, the west and north wings were affected. 

Minhyung: We can check the South... 

Renjun: Should we even risk it?

Dayeon: There isn't enough food here. The canteen downstairs had mostly perishable food. 

There was a short silence that followed. 

Chenle: I think we should check it out. Even if we aren't staying here for too long we should take anything we get. 

Yujung: And we should save the snacks we got from the hotel... since they can last longer.

She said while agreeing with Chenle. 

Minhyung: So who all will go-

Jeno: I don't think we should split. 

Everyone turned to him. 

Jeno: Just in case... everyone should be together...

He didn't say it out right but he was sure the others understood. What if this time something happened and not everyone was there to help or say goodbye, whichever it was. 

Jaemin: But... all ten of us?

Jeno met Minhyung's eyes who took a moment to contemplate before nodding. 

Minhyung: Jeno's right... we should stick together. 

And so, the group packed up guns and readied themselves for scouting the hospital. 

Renjun: Guys?

Everyone turned to him as held up bottles of sanitizer. 

Renjun: If anyone gets a bleed... do you think we can distract the zombies with this? Hospital sanitizers have a strong smell right? In fact... isn't there going to be socks laying around? We should use that to move around... to avoid noise.

Seolmi: That... might actually work. 

She said slowly with a nod, an impressed look on her face. 

Seolmi: That's genius actually. 

---

Two days passed and the group had managed to hold themselves up well. No losses, no fights, not much talking either. 

It had started raining again and the group packed up everything, ready to move to the next location. 

Renjun: Next is the underground station. We can use that to walk along tunnels before reaching Gangbuk-gu. But...

Jiseon: But?

Renjun: Its underground. We won't know if there is a fear of zombies without getting there.

Everyone was quite for a moment. 

Jeno: Me and Seolmi can go check it out while you guys wait upstairs. If its clear we can use that, or we can divert yes?

Renjun: Yeah. There's a motel very close to the opening of the station. 

Jiseon: But why you two? I thought we were not splitting up anymore. 

Seolmi: Its the safest choice. And seeing that Jeno hasn't you know... turned yet. It can be an advantage. 

Jeno nodded and Minhyung watched as nervousness dawned on Jiseon. Jeno just nodded reassuringly but clearly it was not working.

Minhyung: No one is going to get hurt. Yes?

There was a short silence as everyone exchanged looks of uncertainty. 

Minhyung: We'll be fine. 

His wavering voice wasn't so believable, but really, he was trying to convince himself more than the others.