Plague 2023 (Plague 2022 Season 2)

Episode 39

THE SILENT GAMBLE: A DANCE OF SECRETS

Hye-jin moved with a calculated precision that spoke of her extensive experience in the field. After instructing Sae Joon Hyun to lie down, she quickly assessed the room, ensuring everything was in place for what she was about to do. Jaeyeon, ever protective, helped Sae Joon Hyun onto the bed, then positioned himself on a stool nearby, holding his hand firmly as a sign of both comfort and determination.

Hailey and Yon watched from their position by the door, their eyes sharp and ready to react at any moment. The tension in the room was thick, but the focus was even thicker. Ha-ram, her movements efficient and practiced, placed a series of surgical tools onto a sterile tray, her hands deftly rolling up her sleeves as she prepared to assist. The air was filled with the soft clinking of metal instruments and the hum of fluorescent lights above.

Hye-jin donned her gloves with a snap, her expression one of cold concentration. She nodded at Ha-ram, who quickly handed her a syringe filled with anesthetic. "This will numb the area," Hye-jin explained in a calm, steady voice, though her words were more for the benefit of those watching than for Sae Joon Hyun, who was already bracing himself for the procedure.

She injected the anesthetic into Sae Joon Hyun’s shoulder, her hands steady as she worked. The man winced, his hand tightening around Jaeyeon’s, but he kept his composure. Jaeyeon leaned in closer, whispering reassurances to him, though his eyes never left Hye-jin’s methodical movements.

With the area numbed, Hye-jin began the procedure. She made a precise incision around the bullet wound, working carefully to avoid any major blood vessels. The blood pooled slightly, but Ha-ram was quick with the suction, keeping the area clear. The faint whirring of the suction machine was the only sound apart from the focused breathing of the people in the room.

As Hye-jin worked to extract the bullet, her brow furrowed in concentration. The bullet had lodged itself near a critical nerve, making the operation delicate and risky. But she moved with confidence, her scalpel slicing through flesh and tissue with the kind of skill that comes from years of practice.

"There it is," she murmured, spotting the glint of metal deep within the wound. With a pair of forceps, she carefully grasped the bullet and pulled it free. The tiny piece of metal gleamed dully as she held it up for a moment before placing it into a tray that Ha-ram swiftly whisked away.

Now came the more difficult part—repairing the damage done by the bullet. Hye-jin worked swiftly but carefully, stitching together torn muscle and severed vessels with remarkable skill. Ha-ram continued to assist, handing her tools, applying pressure where needed, and wiping away the occasional bead of sweat that formed on Hye-jin’s forehead.

As the minutes ticked by, the room remained tense but hopeful. Jaeyeon never let go of Sae Joon Hyun’s hand, his eyes flicking between the surgical site and Sae Joon Hyun’s face, which had grown paler from the blood loss but still retained some color. Hailey and Yon exchanged glances, their worry evident but tempered by a growing sense of trust in Hye-jin’s abilities.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Hye-jin tied off the last suture. She let out a small breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she looked up at the others. "The surgery was a success," she announced, her voice still controlled but with a hint of satisfaction. "He’s going to be fine, but he’ll need to rest and recover."

Jaeyeon exhaled deeply, relief washing over him as he squeezed Sae Joon Hyun’s hand. "Thank you," he whispered, though whether it was to Hye-jin, the universe, or just the sheer will to survive, it wasn’t clear.

Ha-ram began cleaning up the surgical tools, her movements quick and efficient as always. Hye-jin removed her gloves, her hands trembling slightly now that the adrenaline was wearing off. She glanced at Yon and Hailey, who both nodded in acknowledgment, understanding that for now, at least, they were in capable hands.

Hye-jin sighed, the weight of the successful surgery lifting from her shoulders as she tossed her bloodied gloves into the bin. Her face, which had briefly shown a hint of relief, quickly hardened as she addressed the group. “Now that this is done, you’ll all be staying here. It’s time for our end of the deal to begin.”

Jaeyeon felt a shiver run down his spine as the ruthless tone returned to Hye-jin’s voice. His grip on Sae Joon Hyun’s hand tightened involuntarily. Sae Joon Hyun, now lying on the bed with his eyes closed in much-needed rest, was oblivious to the shift in the room's atmosphere. They had no choice but to comply, at least for now. He needed rest, and any sudden moves could jeopardize his recovery.

“What deal?” Yon’s voice cut through the tension, his posture straightening as he moved closer to Hye-jin. Hailey mirrored his steps, her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she followed him.

Hye-jin’s expression remained calm, almost clinical, as she met their gaze. “We need to conduct some research and figure out a few things. Specifically with you, Yon, and Jaeyeon.”

Jaeyeon’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. The implications were clear: Hye-jin and her group didn’t know the full extent of their abilities. They were unaware of Hailey’s time-traveling powers, and it seemed they didn’t know that Su-yeong and Hamin were zombies as well. This gave them a slight advantage—an upper hand in information. However, the risk of trying to escape with Sae Joon Hyun in his current condition was too great. They needed to buy time.

Yon, ever the strategist, nodded to Hye-jin. His mind raced as he quickly formulated a plan. Sae Joon Hyun’s recovery would take at least a week, according to his calculations. They had to stay put for now, but he would make sure they used this time wisely. “How do you plan to conduct the research? What role do we play?” he asked, his tone measured and controlled.

Hye-jin’s eyes flickered with a hint of curiosity as she answered, “Just give me your blood every day. You and Jaeyeon.”

Yon’s mind immediately latched onto the opportunity. They needed to keep Jaeyeon’s true nature hidden. The fact that even they didn’t fully understand what Jaeyeon was didn't put them in a good position. He nodded to Hye-jin, his expression neutral. “Fine,” he said, giving nothing away. He glanced at Jaeyeon, who returned the look with a subtle nod. They were in agreement.

With a silent determination, Jaeyeon moved to the foot of Sae Joon Hyun’s bed, gripping the handle tightly. He began to push the bed towards the door, the wheels beneath it squeaking softly on the polished floor. Hailey, standing by the door, quickly moved to open it. Ha-ram, who had been quietly observing the exchange, gestured for them to follow her.

The tension in the room didn’t dissipate as they exited, but there was a strange sense of resolve that settled over the group. They were being led back to the room where the rest of their team waited, but in their hearts, they knew that this was just the beginning of a new, dangerous chapter in their struggle for survival. Hye-jin and her group might think they had the upper hand, but Jaeyeon, Yon, and the others had no intention of being pawns in their game. They would use this time to their advantage, no matter the cost.

As they wheeled Sae Joon Hyun down the sterile, white corridor, Yon’s mind raced with possibilities, and Jaeyeon’s heart remained steadfast. They had made it this far; they wouldn’t let their guard down now.