Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍃Chapter 34🍃

As we made our way back to the old building, I felt a sense of urgency. The others would be waiting, and we needed to regroup and share what we'd found. Sunghoon walked beside me, determination etched on his face, but I could still see the strain in his posture.

When we reached our makeshift home, the atmosphere shifted. Niki and Sunoo were already there, sorting through their own haul of supplies. They looked up, their faces lighting up with excitement.

"Did you find anything?" Niki asked, his eyes bright.

"Yeah, a few cans and some medicine," I replied, gesturing to Sunghoon, who was carefully opening the vial the old lady had given him.

Eunhee and Heeseung hyung arrived just in time, carrying a few bundles of goods. "We got some more food and blankets!" Eunhee announced, her voice cheerful.

Heeseung, sensing the tension, chimed in, "We need to make sure everyone's in good shape. We can't afford to have anyone compromised."

"Exactly," I said, stepping in. "Sunghoon needs to rest. We found some food, but we have to take care of him first."

"Let's set up a space for him to lie down," Eunhee suggested, her nurturing instincts kicking in. "We can take turns keeping watch while he rests."

Sunghoon opened his mouth to protest, but I squeezed his shoulder gently. "Just for a bit, okay? We'll handle everything here."

He sighed, but the fight in his eyes softened. "Fine, just for a little while."

We found a corner in the room where Sunghoon could lie down. I helped him settle on a pile of blankets, his expression shifting from determination to exhaustion. As he closed his eyes, I turned to the others.

"Let's divide up the food and see what else we need to prepare," I suggested, trying to keep the mood light. "We can't let Sunghoon's effort go to waste."

Niki began distributing the cans while Sunoo organized the dried fruit. Jay and Jungwon joined us shortly after, having been out scouting their own area. "What did we miss?" Jay asked, looking between the gathered supplies.

"Just right in time" I said, my voice low, "And yeah, Sunghoon need so rest"

"Yeah, he's tough," Jungwon added, his tone serious. "But we all need to look out for each other. It's not just about strength."

As we prepared our meal, I couldn't help but glance over at Sunghoon, who had fallen asleep. A part of me wanted to stay by his side, to ensure he was alright, but I also knew I had to be present for the group. We were a team, and we needed each other to survive.

Once we finished dividing the food, we gathered in a circle, eating quietly but with a sense of camaraderie. I watched as the laughter and teasing began to resurface, Niki and Sunoo joking about something that had happened during their scavenging. Heeseung hyung and Eunhee shared a knowing look, their bond evident even in the simplest of gestures.

Despite the heaviness of our situation, there was warmth in our little group. We were still alive, still together, and that meant everything.

As I finished my meal, I leaned back against the wall, my gaze drifting to Sunghoon. His face was peaceful, the tension from earlier easing as he slept. I couldn't help but feel a swell of determination. Whatever came next, we would face it as one. We would find a way to keep each other safe, even in the face of uncertainty.

The world outside was dangerous, but inside our small, makeshift family, there was strength in our unity. And together, we would find a way to survive.