Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍃Chapter 40🍃

The pain from my side still lingers, a dull throb that reminds me of the bullet I took three days ago. It's not as bad as it was, but the ache is constant, a reminder of how close I came to losing everything. But, here I am, still moving, still standing. I can't let that bullet stop me-not now, not when we have so much to do.

I watch Jake as he moves around, making sure everyone is fed and cared for. His hands are steady as he prepares breakfast, but I can see the worry in his eyes every time he looks my way. I don't want him to worry. He's already got enough on his plate-leading the group, keeping everyone together.

"You're pushing yourself too hard again, Sunghoon," Jake says, his voice low as he hands me a bowl of hot porridge. His gaze flickers to my side, but I quickly cover it with my jacket, hoping he won't notice.

"I'm fine, Jake," I say, forcing a smile. But the smile feels thin, stretched too tight. I can see in his eyes that he doesn't believe me, and I don't blame him. It's hard to hide weakness when every one of us is fighting to stay alive.

We finish breakfast quickly, the warmth of the meal filling the silence between us. The others are already preparing to leave the safety of the old building we've been hiding in. There's no time to rest, not when so many others need help. New families have arrived overnight-old, middle-aged, and young like us-desperate, lost. We can't turn them away.

Jake, Jungwon, Sunoo, and Eunhee stay inside, organizing food, medicine, and blankets. The rest of us, me, Heeseung hyung, Jay, and Niki, head out to help carry supplies and bring the new arrivals in.

"Careful with that!" Jay shouts to Niki as they carefully unload a stack of blankets from the makeshift cart. We're all working together, trying to move fast but stay organized.

"Yeah, yeah, I've got it," Niki replies, but there's an edge to his voice-he's stressed. We all are. Every movement feels like it could be our last, but we can't let that stop us. People depend on us.

As we carry in the supplies, a family of three steps forward-a mother, father, and a young boy no older than eight. The boy looks up at us with wide eyes, his face dirty and streaked with tears.

"Thank you," the mother says, her voice thick with emotion. "We didn't know where else to go. You've saved us."

She grabs her son's hand and bows deeply, as if it's all she can do to express her gratitude. I feel a lump in my throat at the sight. We've all been through hell. But moments like this, when people thank us for just showing up, remind me why we keep going.

Heeseung hyung drops the last of the heavy boxes onto the ground with a grunt. He stands up, wiping the sweat off his brow. "No need for thanks. We're all in this together. Just make sure to stay safe."

"Are you alright, Sunghoon?" Eunhee's voice cuts through the noise, and I turn to see her looking at me with a frown.

I smile again, though it feels more like a grimace. "I'm fine, Eunhee. Just a little tired."

She gives me a skeptical look, but says nothing. She knows better than to argue with me when I'm being stubborn. Still, I catch the concerned glance she shares with Jake over my shoulder.

Jake steps up behind me, his hand brushing against my arm. "You don't have to do this. I can help with the heavy stuff, you know."

I shake my head, glancing at the families we've brought in. They're settling in, looking both relieved and terrified, as if they don't know what comes next. I can't just sit by while they suffer.

"I'll be fine," I say, even though my voice betrays me. My side still aches with every movement, but I ignore it. I can't afford to show weakness. Not now.

Jay, noticing the tension between us, steps in with a forced grin. "Alright, enough with the worrying. We've got work to do. Let's get the rest of the supplies moved before the sun gets too high. We still have more people coming in."

There's a mix of relief and frustration on Jake's face as he finally nods, but I see the way his jaw tightens. He's not going to stop worrying about me, no matter how much I try to push him away.

We all work in silence for a while, the only sounds the movement of feet, the creaking of the building, and the occasional murmur of thanks from the families we've helped.

It's strange, this feeling of solidarity. Everyone, from the young families to our ragtag group of survivors, all sharing this one goal: to survive. To make it one more day.

I glance over at Jake again, catching his eye for a moment. He looks at me like he wants to say something-wants to tell me to sit down, to rest. But I can't. Not when there's still so much to be done.

For now, we keep moving, because that's all we can do.