Monstrosity

Episode 3 (Part 2)

There was no way in hell your eyes could close that night, not even for a second of rest. They were wide open and your mind and senses one hundred percent alert. You avoided thinking as much as you could and stayed with at least one person at all times (observing people had helped you distract your mind quite well). Until the night dawned on everyone and sleepiness took over. All had made a pact that sleeping times would get divided among each member so that everyone would guard the group taking chances one after another. It was a pretty good plan and you had even proposed to guard the group alone for the entirety of the night but — only out of care — Hyun-su had convinced everyone to oppose your idea for which you had given him the deadliest side-eye.

Everyone was asleep now, but you were wide awake. Tossing and turning every minute had caused Su-Yeong to lose sleep as well, so you decided to shift and sit against a vacant wall. Your eyes stung from sleep deprivation, and your body ached with discomfort, but this form of torture was better than being outside, away from Mr. Han's apartment.

You observed Ji-soo walking over to the sleeping Hyun-su, who looked adorable in his slumber, and nudging him with her baseball bat. "Hey, it's your turn now," she said. Hyun-su opened his eyes, taking a moment to reset his brain before asking for clarification with a simple "Huh?"

"It's your turn to guard the door," Ji-soo clarified. Hyun-su agreed, pushing himself up using his Mr. Han-upgraded weapon, while Ji-soo took his place.

"I'm infected," he confessed glumly. It was more of a confession, and one could easily pick up on how helpless and scared he felt.

"I know," Ji-soo replied shortly.

"If I turn," he started, "just kill me." His words made your heart drop. That was your future, you knew. You should've killed yourself as soon as you knew you were turning, which was when you first saw the cut on your hand heal itself—no scab, no dead skin, only a mark left behind. But hearing Hyun-su say that didn't sit right with you. If he fought hard enough, he could save himself... if he's strong enough... unlike you. (AN: you're 100% strong enough dw <3)

There was a small pause before Ji-soo spoke up softly. "Only if..." Hyun-su turned to look at her.

"Huh?" he asked.

"...you kill me if I turn," she finished. "Then I will do the same for you, okay? Deal?" She asked.

"Deal," he agreed.

"Deal, Y/N?" She looked straight at you and tapped the floor beside her, indicating you to settle near her. You nodded and accepted her invite, mumbling 'deal' a bit later.

Times were rough and scary, but that could not stop you from admiring your roommate—well, one of your roommates now. His overgrown hair gave the illusion of a larger head, his tall and somewhat built body concealed by baggy clothes. His wimpy body language was deceiving. It didn't feel like you were staring for long, but you could tell he felt a pair of eyes on him. He turned around to look at you. Flustered, you immediately averted your eyes, your face turning hot.

"What is it?" he whispered, and though you failed to notice, his voice was laced with adoration, a soft smile playing on his lips, which you could barely make out in the darkness.

"Uh... n-nothing," your words faltered, to which Hyun-su replied with a silent chuckle. You were embarrassed to even look at him, so you awkwardly stared at the floor, counting numbers and whatnot. You heard his body shift but did not dare to look at him yet.

"Come here," he said. You looked up to find him sitting against the wall nearest to the apartment's door. It had been about an hour since his duty started, and Ji-soo was fast asleep, her head resting on your shoulder. Gently, with great care, you held her head up and slipped from beside her, setting her head against the fridge. You walked over to Hyun-su, who patted his shoulder. "Get some sleep," he urged. Resting your head on his shoulder, you took a deep breath, exhaling relief. You were comfortable again, near him.

"It must be my turn now, right?" you asked. Hyun-su hummed and shook his head.

"No. Get some rest," he insisted. Too tired to argue, you silently obeyed.

You awoke with the sun shining right into your eyes. You hissed at the pain. Hyun-su woke up right after, finding his head on your soft chest. He quickly retracted, chagrined.

Slowly, everyone woke up one after the other and there was an announcement made by a Green Home resident.

"Survivors, the first floor is safe now. Come to the first floor. We'll be safer together. We survivors... must stick together. Please come down. Come down here now. I said please come-" his plea was cut short by static screeches from the mic and the announcement completely stopped.

"Should we go?" You asked the group.