Rise Of The Fallen || KTH FF

Chapter 20: The Key

The walk back to the shelter was quiet. The weight of what you had revealed to Taehyung still hung heavy between you, but somehow, the conversation had lightened the burden on your chest. The doubt hadn't fully disappeared, but for the first time in days, you didn't feel entirely alone.

When you returned, the group was still discussing their next move around the cracked wooden table, their faces illuminated by a single flickering lamp. Lisa, Yoongi, and Jimin all looked up as you entered, the weight of the moment obvious in their eyes.

"We need to talk," Taehyung said immediately, his voice firm.

Lisa raised an eyebrow, sensing the urgency in his tone. "What is it?"

You took a deep breath, stepping forward. "It's about the virus. There's more to it than we thought."

Jimin straightened in his seat, his arms crossed defensively, but curiosity flashed across his face. Lisa exchanged a look with Yoongi, then gestured for you to continue.

You explained everything—what your mother had told you about the chips embedded within the virus, the fact that the zombies weren't just mindless creatures but could be controlled. As you spoke, the room grew eerily silent, everyone hanging on your every word.

"They're using it like a weapon," you finished, the gravity of it all sinking in even deeper. "Whoever has the controller can command the zombies... and attack anyone they want."

Lisa's eyes widened as she processed this. "So... someone could literally direct these things to wipe out entire groups, like the government or even us?"

Taehyung nodded, his jaw clenched. "Exactly."

Yoongi leaned back, a dark look crossing his face. "This changes everything. If we can get a hold of that controller, we could stop the attacks before they even happen."

"That's what we need to focus on now," you said firmly, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "We have to find the controller."

Jimin frowned, still skeptical but no longer dismissive. "And how exactly do we do that?"

Lisa stood up, crossing the room to grab a map from a stack of papers. She spread it out across the table. "There's one place that might have what we're looking for. I've been tracking down possible locations linked to the scientist. There's a facility—an old research center—just outside the quarantine zone. Rumor has it, it's heavily guarded and... possibly where they're keeping the controller."

You felt a chill run down your spine. "How do we know it's not just a trap?"

Lisa's eyes met yours, a hint of uncertainty in them. "We don't. But it's the best lead we've got."

Taehyung glanced at you, his hand brushing yours in a subtle gesture of reassurance. "Then we'll go. We can't afford to wait."

Later that night, the mission begins.

The air was thick with tension as you, Taehyung, Lisa, Jimin, and Yoongi approached the facility. It loomed in the distance, a hulking structure surrounded by barbed wire and the remnants of failed military defenses. The place was eerily quiet, but the sense of danger was palpable.

"We have to be quick," Taehyung whispered, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. "In and out, no distractions."

Jimin rolled his eyes. "Easier said than done."

The group crouched behind a rusted-out truck, watching the facility's guards patrol the perimeter. You could feel your pulse quicken, the memory of the voice still nagging at the back of your mind. Something about this didn't feel right, but you didn't have a choice. If the controller was here, you had to get it.

Lisa nodded to the group. "Okay, we're splitting up. Taehyung, Y/N, and I will head for the control room. Yoongi and Jimin, you're on lookout and distraction duty. Keep them off our backs."

Yoongi smirked. "Leave it to us."

The plan was set, and with a deep breath, you moved out.