Plague 2023 (Plague 2022 Season 2)

Episode 1

FRACTURED REALITY

March 12th 2023
South Korea
Special safety site
Campsite 1

The safety apocalypse campsite in South Korea was a stark contrast to the world beyond its fortified boundaries. Eunhye navigated the crowded, makeshift dining center, her steps purposeful despite the chaos. The air was thick with the mingling scents of canned food and the faint, metallic tang of antiseptic. She approached a man in a military uniform who stood near a stack of supplies. His eyes, weary but alert, met hers as he handed her a milk carton. Eunhye's fingers brushed against the cold, smooth surface of the carton as she accepted it, offering a nod of thanks. The man returned the gesture with a brief nod of his own before turning to distribute more supplies to the others huddled within the tent.

The dining center was cramped, its capacity stretched far beyond its intended limits. Every inch of space was utilized, with people seated on benches, the floor, and any available surface. Despite the overcrowding, there was a sense of camaraderie and relief in the air. For Eunhye, this place was a sanctuary, a stark reminder of humanity's resilience amidst the nightmare outside.

It had been roughly four months since the camp had become their refuge, shielding them from the grueling horror of zombies that roamed beyond the barriers. The world outside was a wasteland, filled with the relentless undead, but inside, there was hope, however fragile it might be.

Eunhye made her way to her team, a group of familiar faces that had become her family in this new world. They greeted her with warm smiles, their eyes reflecting a shared sense of survival and mutual reliance. She lifted her milk carton, and in unison, they raised theirs as well. A silent cheer passed between them, a ritual of unity and strength. The milk, a rare commodity, was more than nourishment; it was a symbol of their collective endurance.

They drank deeply, the cool liquid a brief comfort against the harsh reality. One by one, they finished and tossed the empty cans into the nearby bins, the clinking sound echoing softly in the background. It was a small act, but it marked another day of survival.

With a sense of satisfaction, they each headed back to their respective tents.

The beds were laden with fungus, green and sticky, but Eunhye and her friends didn't mind. Compared to the countless times they had evaded death, this was a minor inconvenience. The thick, damp smell of mold permeated the air, mixing with the mustiness of the old blankets and the faint scent of antiseptic from earlier efforts to clean. Despite the dismal surroundings, they had each other, and that was enough.

Eunhye lay on her bed, her eyes tracing the patterns of moisture seeping through the leaky walls. Water droplets formed irregular trails down the worn, peeling paint, creating a dismal but oddly mesmerizing sight. "Nothing is nice here and still..." she began, her voice trailing off as she contemplated their situation.

"Yeah," Yuri agreed, her voice carrying a mix of resignation and wonder. "I mean, so much has happened that I sometimes wonder... how did we even manage to save each other?"

In-Ha laughed, the sound a bright note in the otherwise somber atmosphere. "And you know what happened today? The boys fought over a piece of meat. Everything sounds so normal that sometimes I forget we are a part of a zombie apocalypse now."

The girls huddled together on the same bed, seeking warmth and comfort in each other's presence. Mina laid her head on Charyeong's shoulder, her eyes heavy with fatigue but her heart lightened by the shared camaraderie. "Thinking of everything we have been through... this is not all that bad," she murmured.

Charyeong reached out and tugged Mina's hair playfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You don't speak, hon. Your ways were so harsh, remember?"

Laughter rippled through the group, a rare and precious sound. Yunha's giggles mingled with the others, and Mina pouted, her face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Haha," Yunha teased, her eyes twinkling.