Love in the Time of Zombies: An Apocalyptic Romance

THE BEGINNING

Chapter 1

A woman arrived at Incheon International Airport early in the morning. She hailed a cab and asked the driver,

"Grand Crest Hotel, please."

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After a short ride, she arrived at the hotel, pulling her suitcase toward the reception desk. The receptionist greeted her with a warm smile.

"Good morning, welcome to Grand Crest Hotel. May I have the name under which the room is booked?"

"Han So Hee," she replied.

The receptionist typed quickly on the keyboard.

"Ah, yes, Ms. Han. You're in room 1102 on the 12th floor."

She handed her the room key card.

"Also, there's an event tonight here at the hotel. It's free for all guests to attend," she added, sliding a pamphlet across the counter.

So Hee glanced at it briefly. 

"What time does it start?"

"The event begins at 7 p.m. in the main ballroom," the receptionist explained with a polite nod. "Feel free to join us if you're interested."

"Thanks," So Hee said, pocketing the key card and picking up the pamphlet.

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She checked into her room, tossing the pamphlet onto the table. After freshening up, she lay down to rest. The bed was comfortable, but after a long flight, sleep came only briefly before her hunger began to gnaw at her insides. 

She got up and stood by the balcony watching . . . 

It's the one thing she does in her free time, carelessly watching the outside world in peace. 

But today was a bit different ... ?

(It's already evening)

(The Red spots on the corner of the street)

(Police Car being parked wrongly)

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I should grab something to eat, she thought, her mind wandering as she stretched.

"But why does this place feel... off?"

She shrugged off the uneasy feeling, chalking it up to travel fatigue.

"It's just a hotel", she reassured herself,

Chuckling to herself, "Even if this place was overrun by zombies, I swear my hunger would be the first thing to kill me."

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The gnawing hunger finally forced her downstairs in search of food. She entered the mall connected to the hotel, but the hotel was eerily quiet. 

So Hee wandered through it, noticing how strange the silence felt in such a large space.

She felt a chill run down her spine as she wandered through the deserted corridors, her footsteps echoing in the eerie stillness.

"Where is everyone?" she thought, frowning.

Despite her growing unease, she found a convenience store connected to the mall

She Purchased some samgak-Gimbap, and ate quickly.

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After leaving the store, she stepped outside, expecting the usual bustle of evening activity. But instead, the streets were completely deserted. Not a single person was in sight.

As she scanned the empty area, her eyes caught a figure—a man standing far away, motionless. 

Something about the way he stood unsettled her. Then, out of nowhere, a group of people rushed toward him.

Startled, So Hee took out her phone, recording the scene from a distance. 

"What's going on?" she wondered.

Planning to at least send the video to the police. 

"I shouldn't get involved in a street fight when I just landed here, right? ..."

"Ugh ... I don't Know ..." 

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She stepped closer, but what she saw next made her freeze in fear.

The group wasn't just attacking the man. They were biting him, tearing at his flesh, their movements jerky and unnatural.

Her stomach churned as her mind screamed the truth: 

They weren't people. They were something far worse.

So Hee's heart pounded as she realized the danger. 

She turned and ran, the sound of footsteps and guttural growls following behind her. 

She sprinted through the deserted streets, fear driving her forward, until she found a building, ducked inside, and slammed the door shut, breathing heavily as she leaned against it, she asked no one ...

*gasp*, 

*gasp*, 

Ha..., 

*gasp*, 

How...? 

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