Plague 2023 (Plague 2022 Season 2)

Episode 34

FRACTURED ALLEGIANCES: THE MONSTER WITHIN

Jaeyeon’s voice, normally so soft and hesitant, was now filled with a fury that shook the room. “That’s enough out of you all. He’s only protecting me. So why are you all dead set on harming him? What did he do to you?” His eyes, still glowing with that unnatural light, bore into each of them as he exhaled heavily, his breath coming out in hot, angry gusts.

“You’re not even a zombie, Jaeyeon. You’re simply a monster,” Hailey spat back, her voice tinged with both fear and disgust. “Look at how you tossed Hamin aside like he was nothing.”

“Hah…” Jaeyeon let out a weary sigh before responding, his tone laced with bitterness. “Did I ever consider you an outsider, Hailey? When you told us about your time traveling, did I oppose you? No. It was Yon who questioned you, who doubted you. Yet, you stand with him now. I let Su-yeong and Hamin tag along with us after we were separated, because I know what it feels like to fight for survival. I could see they were ready to fight the virus to stay human. But let’s not forget—they’re still ticking time bombs. Their immune systems might have been strong when they were bitten, but now? Now they’re weak. If they get bitten again, or if they become too emotional, they’ll transform. Yon has the same story. So then why is it that they’re okay, but I’m not?”

Eunhye and Yuri exchanged a glance, confusion and doubt etched on their faces. They couldn’t deny the truth in Jaeyeon’s words, but something didn’t sit right with them. The memory of Sae Joon Hyun’s anger and mistrust towards Jaeyeon back at the American airport was still fresh in their minds. He had been furious with Eunhye for blindly trusting Jaeyeon back then, and now, here he was, risking everything to protect him. When had that mistrust turned into love?

“We don’t want to fight either,” Su-yeong began, her voice steady but urgent. “But you’re not understanding the situation. At least we know what will happen to me, Hamin, and Yon. We know the risks we’re facing. But you… what do we even know about your condition?”

Without warning, Su-yeong launched herself at Sae Joon Hyun from the side, catching him off guard. She collided with him hard, sending them both crashing to the ground.

“Hey! Get off me!” Sae Joon Hyun grunted, struggling to keep her from grabbing the gun. He didn’t want to hurt her, but her ferocity left him little choice. They rolled across the floor, grappling with each other, their bodies slamming against the wall as they fought for control.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group turned their attention to Jaeyeon, who stood tall, his eyes burning with a fierce light. They rushed him in a frenzy, determined to bring him down. Yon was the first to reach him, swinging a makeshift weapon at Jaeyeon’s head. But Jaeyeon was faster. He caught Yon by the arm and flung him aside with a force that sent him skidding across the floor.

Hamin was next, charging at Jaeyeon with a roar. But Jaeyeon was ready. He grabbed Hamin by the collar and hurled him into the far wall, the impact shaking the entire room. Before he could catch his breath, Yon was back on his feet, coming at him again. Jaeyeon’s frustration boiled over as he grabbed Yon and tossed him aside once more. But they kept coming, relentless in their assault.

Sae Joon Hyun fought desperately to dislodge Su-yeong. She was a wildcat, her hands clawing at the gun as she tried to wrest it from his grip. They tumbled together, their struggle bringing them dangerously close to the wall. Su-yeong’s hands slipped around the gun, and Sae Joon Hyun felt his control slipping. He had to end this, and fast.

Jaeyeon’s battle continued as the others came at him in waves. Hamin lunged at him again, only to be thrown back for the third time. Each time, Jaeyeon’s strength seemed to grow, but so did his frustration. The room echoed with the sounds of their struggle—grunts, shouts, the heavy thuds of bodies hitting the ground.

Jaeyeon's body tensed as he prepared for the next wave of attacks. His eyes, glowing with an unnatural light, darted between the faces of his former friends, now his enemies. They came at him in waves, their desperation growing with each failed attempt to subdue him.

Yon lunged first, wooden stick in hand, aiming for Jaeyeon's midsection. Jaeyeon sidestepped with effortless grace and grabbed Yon by the collar, lifting him off the ground as if he weighed nothing. With a sharp motion, he hurled him across the room. Yon's body slammed into the far wall with a sickening thud, the impact leaving cracks in the plaster.

Hamin, his face twisted with determination, was right behind Yon. He charged at Jaeyeon with everything he had, swinging his stick in a wide arc. But Jaeyeon was faster. He caught the stick mid-swing and ripped it from Hamin's grasp. The next moment, Hamin was flying through the air, crashing into a pile of furniture.

Eunhye and Yuri, their faces pale but resolute, advanced together. They knew Jaeyeon was strong, but they hoped their combined efforts would be enough. Eunhye aimed low, going for his legs, while Yuri aimed high, her stick swinging towards Jaeyeon's head. But Jaeyeon moved like a whirlwind, catching Yuri's stick with one hand while simultaneously kicking Eunhye's legs out from under her. Eunhye hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of her, while Yuri was disarmed in the next instant. Jaeyeon's grip on her stick tightened until it snapped in two, the sound echoing ominously in the room.

Jaeyeon tossed Yuri aside like a rag doll, her body skidding across the floor. She groaned in pain but struggled to get back up, her determination unbroken. Eunhye, too, was trying to rise, but her legs were shaking, and her breath came in ragged gasps.

Hailey, the last to attack, approached more cautiously, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and resolve. She had always been the most level-headed of the group, but now even she seemed unnerved by Jaeyeon's display of strength. She circled around him, trying to find an opening, but Jaeyeon's gaze never left her.

"You think you're different from the rest of us, Jaeyeon?" Hailey spat, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "You think you're better? You're just a monster, like the rest of them!"

Jaeyeon didn't reply. His focus was entirely on Hailey, watching her every move. She lunged at him, aiming a powerful kick at his midsection. But Jaeyeon caught her foot mid-air, twisting it just enough to send her tumbling to the ground. Before she could recover, he picked her up and threw her into the wall with such force that the plaster cracked.

Eugene, who had been hanging back, waiting for the right moment, chose then to attack. He rushed at Jaeyeon with a battle cry, hoping to catch him off guard. But Jaeyeon saw him coming. He grabbed Eugene by the arm and twisted it behind his back, pushing him to his knees with brutal efficiency.

As Jaeyeon tossed Eugene aside, he heard a sharp, loud bang-a gunshot. The sound cut through the chaos like a knife, and everyone froze for a split second. Then, Sae Joon Hyun's grunt of pain filled the room.

Jaeyeon's head snapped towards the sound. His eyes widened in horror as he saw Sae Joon Hyun crumpling to the ground, clutching his side. Blood seeped through his fingers, staining his clothes a dark crimson.

"Hyeong!!!" Jaeyeon's scream was filled with anguish as he abandoned the fight and rushed to Sae Joon Hyun's side, his heart pounding with dread.