Sacrificing oneself

8

Death is not the greatest loss in life.
The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.
Norman Cousins.

-Dr. Kim, how is your research on developing a cure going?
- We are still working on it, General Lee
- Besides bites, how else can one become infected with this parasite?
- Everyone who has come to us has been bitten, we have not observed infection by any other means

Once the group was ready to go, Yeonjun checked the situation in the hallway. There were only a couple of zombies that they could handle. Trying not to make any noise, Koko and Taehyung went out first, carefully stepping towards the two monsters that had their backs to them, they easily delivered silent blows to the back of their heads.
Once the whole group was in the hallway, the guys began their journey. Jungeun was in the middle of the line, between Yuju and Jiyoon. While Yuju was in front of her, Jiyoon, holding her tightly by the hand, was behind. Saebi and Jeemin walked right behind Koko and Taehyung. Yeonjun and Mai brought up the rear.
Having successfully reached the western stairs, the group went down to the second floor. And when the guys were about to walk towards the first floor, Jungeun stopped. Confused, Jiyoon stared at the girl's back.
-What happened to Jungeun-ah? - Yoon asked in a half-whisper.
Seeing Choi suddenly stop, the group looked at the girl.
-There are survivors in the class, we can't leave them like this.
-Of course we can, those cowards stayed there while we were risking our lives, they didn't care about us, so why don't you not care about them either - Yeonjun spoke up.
-You don't have to go after them, but I will.
-No Jungeun, you're not going anywhere - Jiyoon said.
- Jiyoon unnie, my conscience won't let me leave them there.

Looking at Jungeun's pleading look, Jiyoon hesitated. The girl was afraid that something bad might happen to the younger one. But she also understood that Jungeun's kind soul would always blame herself if she didn't try.
- Okay, but I'll go with you
- Jiyoon, what are you doing, if she wants to, let her go, but you're not going - taking Yoon's hand and pulling her closer to him, thereby breaking her contact with Jungeun, Yeonjun said.
Noticing that the situation was heating up, Yuju intervened in the conversation.
- Hey, calm down, guy, now is not the time to sort things out
- Don't interfere - Yeonjun answered, shooting daggers in Yuju's direction
- Okay, stop it. I agree with Jungeun and if the majority supports us, then we will follow the others - Mai said.
Silently exchanging glances, Koko and Saebi nodded approvingly.
- Yuju?
- Where you go, I go Mai unnie
- Taehyung?
- Okay - uncertainly, but still their boyfriend supported them
- Jeemin?
-Even in this situation, you are very kind Jungeun-ah, I will follow you- Bang said, agreeing last.
-I can't believe you agreed with that crazy
Yeonjun!- Jiyoon hissed angrily.

Knowing that the girl wasscary when angry, the guy fell silent at that moment.

Looking at the group with gratitude, Jungeun walked towards the classroom.
Coming out of the turn, she saw a lot of zombies that had gathered near their classroom. Choi stopped instantly and turned to the others.
-There are too many of them.
-What are we going to do?
-We need to think about it, Saebi- Koko answered.
-And I told you that you shouldn't follow her- Yeonjun still didn't calm down. Ignoring the guy, Mai pulled out a few bombs from her skirt pocket and said:
-How do you feel about shooting again? We'll go back in the same way we left there.
-And I was wondering who stole my explosives-Yuju commented. Shrugging her shoulders, the Japanese woman stepped forward and, looking over her shoulder, said
-I hope we don't die.
Throwing lit bombs at one of the open offices, the group hurriedly disappeared behind the wall.

Jiyoon heard with bated breath how numerous growls were heading their way. Closing her eyes in fear and taking the hand of Jungeun, who was nearby, the girl was already preparing for the worst, when suddenly she realized that the monsters, without noticing them, ran into the empty room in a crowd.
Yeonjun, who was also nearby, looked at the girls' intertwined fingers with ugly envy.
With the last zombie, Mai and Yuju reacted lightning fast and ran to the door, locking it from the outside.
Finally, breathing a sigh of relief, the guys walked towards the classroom. But seeing how the door was completely open, they looked at each other with excitement. Nervously swallowing her saliva, Jungeun stepped through the door first, with Jiyoon by her arm.
-God, what happened here? -said Yoon.
Looking at their once cozy classroom, Choi felt a cold sweat on her body. The unbearable, horrible smell of death hung in the air. As if in a fight, tables and chairs were overturned. Blood that was everywhere, traces of bloody hands on the wall, there were even human limbs lying around somewhere.