You Make Me | Lee Eunhyuk

23

It really was the end for them, huh? The group could survive weeks without food — though based on the attitudes of this group, probably not — but only a few days without water.

Jiwon stood next to Eunhyeok as they told Dusik that the water had been contaminated. She rubbed her head in frustration. There was really nothing to say; the three stood in silence, but Jiwon decided to keep herself busy lest the feeling that their days were numbered would settle in.

"I'm going to go count how many water bottles we have," Jiwon said, looking at the two before turning around and leaving. Eunhyuk looked concerned at her behavior but decided to talk to her later.

She walked through the halls, not letting herself think. When she reached the convenience store in the building, she began taking inventory. The dark, poorly-lit convenience store looked like it held some kind of monster that could jump out at any point, but she knew that the real monster was her.

Like a horse with blinders on, she kept working, not giving her mind a break to let her think or that thing would show up.

"1 bottle of water, 2 bottles of water, 3 bottles of water, a 12-pack of water bottles..." she said quietly.

"Are you okay?" said a quiet voice behind her.

Jiwon turned around to see Hyunsoo; she gave him a tired but genuine smile.

"I'm okay, just taking inventory. Do you want to help?" Jiwon asked, to which Hyunsoo nodded.

Jiwon and Hyunsoo worked together synchronously in peace. Jiwon felt comfortable around Hyunsoo; he knew what was going on with her and she knew about him. Despite both not speaking much in each other's presence, it felt nice to have each other there.

Jaeheon, Jisu, and Eunhyuk joined the two at some point, and all worked calmly to estimate how long the supplies would last.

"Stop," said an unknown voice, surprising the group as they turned to the door to see one of the male tenants. Jiwon recalled his name was Seungwan perhaps?

"I know you guys are preparing to take the supplies and leave! So stop!" He said, pulling out a knife at the group.

Maybe it would've been normal to get scared, but everyone was exhausted, a knife being the least of their concerns. Just as the problem started, it was over, as Sangwook came and took the man away.

Everyone followed Sangwook into the main lobby, but Jiwon was grounded in her place. Eunhyuk turned as they were leaving.

"Are you not coming?" He asked, concern lacing his eyes.

"I don't want to watch him get scolded," Jiwon smiled as she held Eunhyuk's hand gently. "I'll finish the inventory and let's talk a bit later, okay?"

Eunhyuk nodded and smiled slightly as he left.

Five days. That's how long the resources could keep them going, and that was it unless they left the building. It felt weird to be given an actual date, but it also felt like an opportunity. Jiwon sure as hell didn't want to die without seeing the light of the outside world again, and this was that opportunity.

Eunhyuk and Jiwon sat in an empty room after the confrontation earlier. She sat with her head laid on his shoulder as their hands intertwined. Jiwon expected some awkwardness in their relationship, which embarrassed her a bit because why was she worrying about this during this apocalypse, but at the end of the day, she was just a girl, and being around Eunhyuk reminded her of that.

Jiwon let her breathing soften as she felt a pair of lips on her forehead, which immediately perked her up to look at Eunhyuk, who had a half smile on his face.

Jiwon could feel her face turning red as she turned away. "Stop smiling at me like that."

But Eunhyuk didn't stop, and as Jiwon peeked at him, she could feel her heart melting. It really had been a while since she's seen his smile and all she could do was smile back.

"It almost doesn't feel real," she says, worried this could be another doing of the monster. But as she felt Eunhyuk pushing her hair off her face, she realized this was real.

"You had me worried today," he said finally. "I thought you regretted kissing me. Well, I still am worried. I know I don't really have much—"

Jiwon stopped leaning on him and hit his arm gently. "Sorry, I just got a bit overwhelmed this morning. But it had nothing to do with you, I don't regret it at all. I just like you."

Eunhyuk nodded calmly, a gentle expression on his face. "That's good, 'cause I really like you a lot. I don't think I would be able to stop." he said seriously.

"You're kind of cheesy, you know that?" Jiwon said, curling into his shoulder again while laughing.

"Only for you," he said, wrapping his arm around her as the two enjoyed their alone time. The two not noticing Jaeheon and Jisu lurking nearby, the latter asking for $10 for winning the bet and Jaeheon handing it over begrudgingly.

"We need to venture outside. Or we have 5 days to live," Eunhyuk said, in front of all the tenants, ripping off the bandage.

"We'll go to a nearby convenience store first," he added.

Jiwon stood nearby Hyunsoo as the tenants took in the information. There was whispering, gasps, some shouts.

"Isn't it dangerous?" Jaeheon questioned.

"Yes. It's dangerous and very important; therefore, only those capable will be going," Eunhyuk answered, in his monotone voice, to which Jaeheon nodded.

The tenants dispersed in their cliques to discuss.

The next few hours went relatively smoothly. Eunhyuk and Jiwon went separately to ask people to go on the venture outside. All was well and good, but asking her brother to go was something she couldn't do.

Still not able to forgive herself for getting her younger brother killed, she could not ask her brother to do this. Thankfully, due to his injured arm, he was off the list of potential people to go. She had to get it together, but this was a sore subject for her, and any mention of it would cause that monster to show up.

And just as she predicted, the second she looked into the mirror there it was.

"Was killing one brother not enough for you? Do you want to kill your other brother too? The one who took care of you and gave you a home?" It spoke.

"Shut up," Jiwon said, looking into the sink, unable to meet its eyes.

"But Jiwon, trust me, I know what you want most. You want to protect the people that you care about, right? The things I said earlier, it's what people say about you behind your back. If you just let me help, I can protect everyone," it said, a gentle tone in its voice.

"I can do it myself. I don't need your help," she said, ringing beginning to sound in her ears.

"Well then, let them all die!" It yelled before disappearing.

Jiwon breathed heavily as Eun entered the bathroom. Jiwon couldn't find the energy to do much, but she smiled and left the bathroom, to roam the halls like a zombie until she could calm herself.