|| Dreamers || <Seongjoong>

-||Chapter Thirty Two||-

Mingi
"If I can still breathe, I'm fine."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the deserted streets, Mingi felt a rush of adrenaline mixed with an undercurrent of dread. The eerie quiet of the city was punctuated only by the occasional groan of a stray zombie, their movements erratic and unpredictable. He glanced at Yunho, who was gripping his arm tightly, a silent testament to their shared fear. The two of them were following closely behind San and Wooyoung, who were taking the lead, their makeshift weapons ready for action.

San swung his bat with a fierce determination, the wooden club connecting with a zombie that had staggered too close. The sickening thud resonated through the air, and the creature crumpled to the ground. Wooyoung was at his side, agile and quick, dispatching another zombie with a swift kick. Mingi admired their courage but couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him. They were in a precarious situation, and every moment felt like a countdown to disaster.

"Stay close!" Mingi shouted, his voice rising above the chaos. He could see Jongho and Yeosang lagging behind, the distance between them growing. Yeosang's face was pale, and Mingi could see him struggling to keep his composure. He had been sick for days, and the strain of their escape was clearly taking its toll. Mingi's heart sank at the sight; they couldn't afford to lose anyone.

"Yunho, we need to help them!" Mingi urged, glancing back at their friends. He felt Yunho's grip tighten on his arm, a mix of fear and resolve. "We can't leave them behind."

Yunho nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. He released Mingi's arm, and together they turned to face the encroaching threat. Mingi positioned himself protectively in front of Yunho, ready to defend against any zombies that might come their way. Just then, a zombie lunged at them from the shadows, its rotting hands reaching out. Mingi reacted instinctively, stepping forward and swinging his own weapon—a sturdy metal pipe—connecting with the creature's head. It fell to the ground with a dull thud, but Mingi knew there would be more.

"Keep moving, guys!" Wooyoung called out, glancing back to check on Jongho and Yeosang. Mingi could see Jongho's face set in determination, but the worry etched on his features mirrored Mingi's own. They had to reach safety; they had to survive.

"Come on, Yeosang!" Jongho shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "You can do this!"

But Yeosang stumbled again, his face contorted in pain. He dropped to his knees, retching violently. Mingi's heart ached at the sight. They couldn't stop; they wouldn't survive if they did. "We can't leave him!" Mingi shouted, his voice strained with panic.

"Help him!" Yunho urged, his eyes wide with fear. Mingi felt a surge of frustration; they were all in this together, and they needed to act fast. He dashed back to Yeosang, kneeling beside him.

"Yeosang, we need to go!" Mingi said, trying to keep his voice calm despite the chaos around them. "Just hold on a little longer. We're right here."

With a pained groan, Yeosang looked up, his eyes filled with desperation. "I can't... I can't keep going..."

"Yes, you can!" Mingi insisted, helping Yeosang to his feet. He could feel the weight of their situation pressing down on him, but he wouldn't let his friend fall. "We're almost there. Just a little further!"

Jongho rushed to their side, supporting Yeosang on the other side. Together, they lifted him, their combined strength helping him regain his footing. Mingi glanced back at San and Wooyoung, who were still battling the strays that had drawn closer. "We're going to make it!" he shouted, trying to instil confidence in their group.

The flickering light in the distance grew brighter, a beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness. Mingi's heart raced as they pressed on, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the pavement. Each step felt like a victory, but the shadows around them were thick with danger.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the air as a nearby storefront window shattered. Mingi's instincts kicked in, and he turned to see a group of zombies spilling out of the broken glass, their eyes vacant and hungry. "Run!" he shouted, adrenaline surging through him. "We have to go now!"

With Yeosang leaning heavily against them, they sprinted toward the light, Mingi's heart pounding in his chest. He could hear the moans of the undead behind them.

Mingi felt a chill run down his spine as he heard a shout from behind him. Time seemed to freeze in that moment, the chaotic sounds of the world around him fading into a distant hum. He turned slowly, his heart racing, and his eyes widened in disbelief. There was Seongwha, standing tall and resolute, leading a group of zombies away from their hiding spot. His presence was both a beacon of hope and a harbinger of danger, the way he moved with purpose contrasting sharply with the mindless creatures that followed him.

Before Mingi could process what he was witnessing, he felt Hongjoong jolt forward, an instinctive reaction to rush to Seongwha's side. But Yunho was quick to intervene, gripping Hongjoong's arm firmly. "Wait! He'll be fine. His immune; they won't hurt him." Yunho's voice was steady, but Mingi could see the worry etched on his face. The words hung in the air, a fragile promise that felt almost too good to be true.

Mingi's gaze shifted to Yeosang, who was leaning against a nearby wall, struggling to keep his eyes open. The sickly pallor of his skin and the way he trembled made Mingi's heart ache. Yeosang's lips parted slightly, and Mingi could see the faint trace of something dark and vile dwelling at the corners of his mouth. It was a reminder of the toll the chaos had taken on them all. Mingi stepped closer, the urgency of their situation pressing down on him like a weight. "Hang in there, Yeosang," he whispered, determination surging within him. They needed to find a way out of this nightmare, and they needed to do it together.

As Seongwha led the horde away, Mingi couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and dread. Seongwha had always been the one to take charge, even in the most dire situations. But now, with the undead trailing behind him, it was a different kind of leadership. Mingi felt a swell of gratitude for Seongwha's bravery, but it was quickly overshadowed by fear for his friend's safety. What if the zombies turned on him? What if this was all a trap?

"Can you stand?" Mingi asked Yeosang, kneeling beside him. Yeosang nodded weakly, but Mingi could see the effort it took. "We need to move. If they catch up to us..."

"I know," Yeosang replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't... I can't keep my eyes open." Mingi felt a surge of anger at the situation, at the world that had turned upside down. They were supposed to be safe, to protect each other, and yet here they were, fighting against a tide of despair.

Yunho glanced at Mingi and Yeosang, his expression serious. "We can't stay here. If Seongwha can lead them away, we need to find a way to regroup. There might be a safe place nearby." Mingi nodded, his resolve hardening. They had to trust Seongwha, and they had to keep moving.

With a deep breath, Mingi helped Yeosang to his feet, supporting him as they began to walk. Each step was a struggle, but Mingi refused to let Yeosang falter. They moved cautiously, staying low and silent, the distant sounds of the zombies echoing behind them. Mingi's heart raced with every creak of the floorboards and every rustle of leaves outside.

As they made their way through the dimly lit corridor, Mingi couldn't shake the image of Seongwha leading the zombies away. He was risking everything for them, and that thought fueled Mingi's determination. They would find a way to help him, to bring him back safely.

Eventually, they reached a small room, the door slightly ajar. Mingi pushed it open, revealing a dusty space filled with old furniture. It seemed abandoned, but it was better than nothing. "In here," he urged, guiding Yeosang inside and closing the door quietly behind them.

Inside, the air was stale, but Mingi felt a sense of relief wash over him. They had a moment to breathe, to collect their thoughts. Yeosang leaned against the wall, his eyes fluttering shut. "I don't know how much longer I can hold on," he admitted, his voice trembling.

"You have to," jongho replied firmly, kneeling beside him. "We're going to get through this together. Just hold on a little longer." Mingi could feel the weight of the world pressing down on them, but he refused to let it crush their spirits. They had each other, and that was enough to keep fighting.