Surviving Together

Chapter 2: Hand-in-Hand

Hand-in-hand, Donghun and Jian walked through the quiet, darkened streets of Seoul until they reached Jian's old apartment building. The once-familiar surroundings now seemed ominous, shadows lurking in every corner. They knocked on the door, but there was no answer. With a sense of urgency, they went inside, making sure to close the door securely behind them.

The apartment was eerily silent, the only sound the distant moans of the undead echoing through the streets. As they took a moment to catch their breath, the phone in Jian's pocket suddenly rang, breaking the tense silence. She fumbled to answer it, her heart racing.

"It's Kihoon," she said, handing the phone to Donghun.

Donghun's heart skipped a beat as he answered the call. "Kihoon, where are you?"

"Donghun, we're trapped," Kihoon's voice came through, filled with panic. "Uma and I are in the basement of a building near the market. We need help, but the battery is dying—"

The call abruptly cut off, leaving Donghun staring at the phone in stunned silence. Worry etched deep lines into his face.

Jian placed a comforting hand on his arm. "We'll find them. We just need to stay calm and think."

Donghun nodded, taking a deep breath. He tried making calls to his older brother, Sanghoon, but there was no answer. Every attempt only heightened his anxiety.

"They could be in the same situation," Jian said softly, trying to console him. "We have to assume the worst but hope for the best."

They moved to the living room and sat down, the weight of the situation heavy on their shoulders. They needed a plan to rescue Kihoon and Uma, but the streets were filled with danger. Donghun's mind raced with possibilities.

"We need to figure out where exactly they are," Donghun said, pacing the small room. "Near the market, he said. Do you know which building he might be talking about?"

Jian thought for a moment. "There's an old storage building by the market. It's likely they took shelter there."

Donghun nodded. "Then that's where we'll go. But we need to be prepared. We can't just rush in and risk our lives without a plan."

They spent the next few hours strategizing. Jian found an old map of the city in her apartment, and they marked the safest routes to the market. Donghun checked the few supplies they had, making sure they were ready for anything. The tension between them eased slightly as they worked together, their shared goal bringing them closer.

"Do you remember the first time you met my brothers at Jung Hee's bar?" Jian asked, a small smile playing on her lips as she recalled the memory.

Donghun chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing a bit. "How could I forget? You were so nervous, but you charmed them right away."

Jian smiled, recalling the memory. "I remember being terrified. But your brothers were so warm and welcoming. Jung Hee kept refilling my glass and making jokes."

"And Sanghoon tried to impress you with his singing," Donghun added, laughing softly. "You handled it all so well."

Jian laughed too, the sound a brief respite from the surrounding fear. Donghun reached out and took Jian's hand, squeezing it gently.

"We'll get through this," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We've faced so much already, and we can do this too."

Jian leaned into him, finding comfort in his presence. "As long as we're together, I believe we can."

The minutes stretched into hours as they waited, the room growing colder with the deepening night. They took turns keeping watch, ensuring they were ready for any sudden threat. During Donghun's watch, Jian drifted off to sleep, her head resting on his shoulder. He glanced down at her, a wave of tenderness washing over him. Despite the chaos and danger, in this moment, she looked peaceful.

Donghun gently stroked her hair, his mind filled with thoughts of their past and the uncertain future. He knew that their survival depended not just on their plans, but on their ability to stay together and support each other.

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the windows, Donghun woke Jian gently. "It's time," he whispered.

She nodded, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. They gathered their things and made their way to the door, ready to face the dangers outside.

"We'll find them," Jian said, her voice firm. "And we'll bring them back safely."

Together, they stepped out into the morning light, their hearts filled with determination. The journey ahead was fraught with peril, but their bond gave them the strength to face whatever came their way. As they made their way through the silent streets, hand-in-hand, they knew that their love would guide them through the darkest of times.