Sacrificing oneself

6

                    Love does not tolerate explanations. It requires actions.
                             Erich Maria Remarque

A man in military uniform walked confidently down the narrow corridor. Stopping at a black wooden door, Jackson Wang knocked and entered the small room.
-General Lee, did you call?-
General Lee Suman was an elderly man who was supposed to retire this year, but due to the current situation, he remained in his position.
-Please take a seat, Captain Wang
Squatting, in the chair opposite, Jackson stared at the man, waiting for an answer.
- How are things going with the evacuation?
- Most of the people have been evacuated to the quarantine zone, at the moment, our doctors are checking each of them for signs of infection.
- Very good
After hesitating, Wang decided to ask the question that was tormenting him.
- General Lee, can I ask a question?
- Of course, Captain Wang
- About Sunan High School
- And what about this school?
- There has not yet been an order to evacuate the teenagers
- I know
- But why?
- This issue is still being discussed
- Every second counts, one life is at stake
- I understand your worries, Captain, but you should also understand me, we have lost contact with Sunan High School and I can't risk my soldiers by sending them into a blind spot
- I understand you, General

- I'm hungry
- So, whose stomach makes the sounds of a singing whale
- Yuju, I haven't eaten anything since this morning
- Just like us, Miseong
Jiyoon and the guys she found herself with in the restroom were sitting on the tiled floor, listening to every sound from outside.
- Are you looking for Choi Jungeun? - Koko, who was sitting nearby and hugging Saebi, asked
- How do you know Jungeun? - Yoon asked, frowning slightly
- We met on the bus this morning, so are you looking for her?
- Yes
- And your boyfriend? - Saebi suddenly asked
- How do you know that I have a boyfriend?
- I saw the video of the incident at the gym
Only after this question, Jiyoon realized that during all this time, she never once thought about Yeonjun, the only person who was in her thoughts all this time was Jungeun.
- We were together, but then I went to look for my friend
- Wait, do you mean that in all this chaos, you left your boyfriend and ran alone into the unknown, in search of your friend? - Saebi asked
- Yes - Are you sure you're just friends?
- What do you mean? - Confused, Yoon asked
- Don't worry about it, Jiyoon, Saebi likes to exaggerate
- Koko unnie, don't treat me like a child - the younger one said, pouting her lip
- But you are Jeon Saebi's child - the Japanese girl answered, pinching the girl on the cheek.
Looking at the girls' interactions, Jiyoon involuntarily remembered herself with Jungeun, their relationship was almost the same as that of these two.
- Have you been friends for a long time? - Yoon decided to ask.
Stopping from her actions, the girls looked at her and giggled sweetly.
- We are not friends, Jiyoon
- Then who? - the girl asked in confusion
- We are a couple - Saebi answered
- What do you mean a couple?
- Jiyoon, Saebi and I are dating.
Staring at the girls in shock, Yoon only made an "Oh" sound. Jiyoon had never met a same-sex couple before and perhaps it was unusual for her to see two girls in a couple, but she did not experience any negative emotions towards them, quite the opposite, Koko and Saebi looked very cute.
- Sorry for asking such a question, it's just that you reminded me of me and Jungeun
- Are you sure you're just friends?
- What do you mean?
- Don't listen to her - having said this, Narai turned to the girl sitting next to her:
- Saebi, my dear, stop bothering Jiyoon
- Only if you kiss her - Saebi said, pursing her lips. Smiling, the Japanese woman leaned in for a kiss.

From this view in front of her, Yoon experienced a number of mixed feelings. A pleasant tingling in her chest area did not give her peace, even during numerous kisses with Yeonjun, she had not experienced such pleasant emotions.

After discussing the plan with the others and agreeing that Saran and Kai would stay near Fuko, the group prepared to descend.
- Who should go down first? - Mai asked.
- I'll go, Yeonjun answered.
- Be careful, - Jeemin said.
- Don't worry, I'm not going to die until I meet my girlfriend, - emphasizing the last word, the guy looked sarcastically at Jungeun.
Narrowing her eyes at such a comment, she ignored Yeonjun's tone. The guy carefully climbed over the fence and slowly reaching the pipe, began to carefully descend to the nearest window.
- What's there? - Kai shouted.
- The nurse's office!
- Is there anyone!
- I don't see anyone!
Entering the open window, Yeonjun quietly looked around the situation. An overturned couch, blood smeared on the wall and several cans of antibiotics lying on the floor. Noticing that the office was empty, the guy quickly walked to the open door and, without making a sound, locked it from the inside.
Heaving a sigh of relief, he headed to the window and, sticking his head out, shouted:
- It's empty here, you can come down
! - So, who's next, I'll help - turning to the girls, Hyuning said
- I'll go - Mai declared While the Japanese woman was going down, Jungeun walked towards Saran and Fuko.
- Saran-a, can you lend me your backpack?
- What do you need it for? - Ryu asked in confusion
- We'll go down to the nurse's office, there should be painkillers for Fuko there
Taking the backpack from the girl, Choi turned to Hayashi and said:
- I'll come back with medicine
- No need to take risks because of me, Fuko answered, trying not to show pain - We're on the same way anyway and besides, with the pain, you won't be able to move on your own, painkillers will help you
- Thank you, Jungeun
- Hey Jeong-Jeong, don't you dare die, otherwise I'll find your zombie ass and tie you to myself, making you my pet
- You and your jokes, it's just something Ryu
Suddenly, feeling Saran's strong embrace, Choi heard a muttering:
- I'm serious Jeong-ah, don't leave me alone in this shitty world
- I won't leave Saran-ah, I promise I'll come back without a scratch
After a minute hugs, the girls parted with slightly wet eyes.
- I love you Saran-ah
- I love you Jung-Jung
Taking one last look at the girls, Choi headed towards Jeemin, who was already preparing to go down.
Seeing how nervous Bang was, Jungeun put her hand on her shoulder and said:
- If you're scared, you can stay with the others
- No, I'll go with you - the girl answered, shaking her head
- Are you sure?
- Yes
- Okay, I'll help you go down
Taking Bang by the hand and helping her grab onto the piece of iron, Choi watched as the girl, having reached the window, with the help of Yeonjun, was able to safely enter the room. Throwing her empty backpack over her shoulder, Jungeun followed her down. Already near the window, she saw Jeemin's outstretched hand, without thinking, Choi, grabbing her palm, successfully found themselves in the nurse's office.
- First, we need to find any painkiller for Fuko- she said.
Without complaint, the guys started looking for medicine. After a couple of minutes, Choi heard Mai's voice:
- I think this will do - the Japanese woman approached and handed her a pack of the pills she needed.
- Excellent
Having thrown in everything that they might need in the future, Jungeun zipped up her backpack and put it on her shoulders.
- It's already dark- Jeemin said
- There should be lighting in the corridor- Yeonjun said, slowly, without creaking, opened the door and stuck his head out, checking the situation.
The light was not on everywhere, so the guy was unable to see his surroundings well. Quietly closing the door, Yeonjun spoke:
- Because of the poor lighting, I couldn't see the corridor properly, but I didn't notice anyone for the nearest meters
- Zombies can be waiting for us literally around every corner, so we need to be vigilant
- As much as I don't want to admit it, but Jungeun is right - Yeonjun agreed with the girl
-Where are we going to look for Jiyoon? - Jeemin asked
- As soon as she heard Jeongun's voice through the notifications, she rushed towards the school, I think we should check the radio studio - the guy suggested Choi, deep in her soul, she was grateful to Yeonjun for the fact that he, having thrown aside all their differences, showed with his actions that he really loved Jiyoon. No matter how painful it sounded, but perhaps even in such chaos, Yeonjun and Jiyoon were truly destined to be together.
- Okay, let's go to the radio studio - Mai said. She opened the door wide, Yeonjun was in front, right behind the guy, Mai followed, Jungeun and finally Jeemin. Feeling a hand on her forearm, Choi turned around.
- Can you hold my hand? - Bang asked in a half-whisper.
Without saying a word, Jungeun took the girl's hand and walked after Mai.
Moving quietly, the group could only hear their own tense breathing. It was very suspicious that they did not encounter any of the monsters on their way. Turning the corner, Jeun covered her nose from the terrible stench. The stench was so unbearable that it caused a burning sensation in her eyes.
- God, what happened here - Mai, who was walking in front, spoke up.
- Whoever this guy was, he met a terrible death - Yeonjun said.
Finally, looking in the direction from which the disgusting smell was coming, Jeun wanted to puke from what she saw. The guy, or rather, what was left of the guy, was scattered all over the perimeter. Gnawed limbs, recently dried blood, a genital organ.
Taking a step to the side, Jeun stumbled upon something and, looking down, experienced wild horror. Right at the girl's feet, there was a severed human head with gouged out eyes.
Choi felt like she was going to vomit, let go of Jeemin's hand, and taking a step away from the guys, the girl threw up right on the floor.
At that moment, she felt someone holding her hair and gently patting the backpack on her back. Finally coming to her senses and grabbing the wall, Jeongun muttered
-Thank you.
-Better?-Hearing Jeemin's soft voice, she turned around.
-Yeah.
-Shit, why didn't they show us the whole picture of what could happen to a person in zombie movies?-Mai said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, apparently also throwing up the croissant she had eaten earlier.
-I don't think we should linger here-Yeonjun said.
Trying not to focus on the organs that were smeared on the floor, Jungeun walked towards the studio, which was already nearby.
After taking a few steps, the group stopped. The corridor that led to the radio studio was in pitch darkness.
- I'm afraid to even imagine what could be waiting for us in this darkness - said Jeemin
- There are no growls - Mai reassured them.
In Jungeun's thoughts, the scene with scattered organs and a severed head was still standing.
Realizing that every second counted, that somewhere out there, Jiyoon was waiting for her, the girl took a step into the darkness.
After exchanging glances, the others followed. Listening to every rustle and trying to make out at least something in the darkness, Choi, with a forehead sweating from fear, grabbed the door handle, at the top of which, in neon sign, was written "Studio". Carefully pulling the handle down, silently opening the door and seeing one zombie standing near the window with his back to her, the girl gave a signal to the others. Carefully entering the room and closing the door behind them, the group stared at the monster who still hadn't noticed them. Noticing the thick microphone on the table that was next to the undead, Jungeun slowly walked up to the table without taking her eyes off the zombie's back and took the microphone in her hand, swung it just as the monster turned to face her. Seeing the teacher Kim Taehyung in front of her, who had saved her at the cost of his life, Choi hesitated, giving the monster a chance to attack. In a daze, Jungeun watched as Yeonjun snatched the microphone from her hands and began to punch their former teacher in the face. With the last blow, the undead fell lifeless to the floor. Turning around in a spray of blood, the boy spoke angrily:
- Another second and you would have joined the ranks of these creatures.
Without blinking, looking at the monster who was once their teacher, Jungeun answered:
- He saved my life, if it weren't for teacher Kim, then perhaps I would have become one of them long ago.
-This is the first and last time I'm saving you- Yeonjun said and walked past her. Unable to withstand the surge of tears, the girl said
-I'm sorry, Teacher Kim.
Feeling herself being pulled into a gentle embrace, Jungeun began to cry with renewed vigor.
-Don't blame yourself, Jeongun-ah.