Dead Land: A Zombie Apocalyptic Fiction(JeongTae SS)

Chapter 19

The engine roared to life, sputtering briefly before settling into a steady rhythm. Our rusted vehicle, held together with duct tape, prayers, and sheer stubbornness, was our ticket to Busan. Five days had passed, and the port was now only a few hours away, making every second count. 

The journey was strangely uneventful—no infected, no raiders, not even the eerie silence that would normally make my skin crawl. It was almost as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for the storm to arrive.

By the time night fell, we had found refuge in what used to be a small roadside inn. The walls remained intact, as did the majority of the windows. It was not perfect, but it would suffice.

Jimin and Taehyung secured the perimeter, while the rest of us set up inside. I found a room near the back for Kookie and me, the old mattress sagging with our weight as we sat down.

“You okay?” I asked, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead.

He nodded, though his eyes were shadowed with exhaustion. “Yeah. Just tired.”

“Get some sleep,” I said softly. “Tomorrow’s a big day.”

Jungkook managed a faint smile before lying down, his breathing evening out almost instantly. I stayed by his side for a while, my hand resting lightly on his shoulder.

---

It happened in the dead of night.

The first sound was the shatter of glass, sharp and piercing in the silence. I bolted upright, my heart racing.

“Infected!” Yoongi's voice echoed through the hallway, followed by the sound of weapons clashing.

I grabbed my axe and shook Jungkook awake. "Stay behind me," I hissed, pulling him to his feet.

The others were already in the main room when we burst out of our room. The infected were pouring through a broken window, their guttural snarls echoing against the walls. Jimin and Namjoon did their best to hold them back, but it was chaos—too many of them, too fast.

“Get to the stairs!” Taehyung yelled, waving us to the narrow staircase at the back of the building.

We moved together, Jungkook clutching my arm as we scrambled up the stairs. The infected continue to spread at an alarming rate. Before we could get to the top, one of the infected lunged at me.

I swung my axe at it point blank, shrugging it off before scrambling toward the group. 

That's when I felt it. Pain erupted in my leg like wildfire, sharp and searing. I stumbled, almost falling, but Taehyung caught me and dragged me up the final few steps.

“Shit, Jeongyeon!” He swore, his eyes widening as he noticed the blood seeping through my boot.

Oh no.

"It is fine," I gasped, attempting to steady myself. “It’s just a scratch.”

"It is more than a scratch," Taehyung said, his voice as sharp as his stern expression.

As soon as the door closed behind us, Taehyung opened my boot. Oh, it is more than a scratch; I am done for. My pinky toe finger has been bitten completely, leaving a deep teeth mark with blood seeping from it.

The air in the room seemed to freeze as everyone turned to face me.

"We do not know if she will turn," Dr. Son quickly stated, stepping forward. "She might be immune, like Jungkook."

A glimmer of hope appeared in their eyes, but it felt false.

I gave an awkward smile.

I swallowed hard and glanced at Jungkook. He looked at me with wide, terrified eyes, and my heart ached.

"Let us not think about that; we need to get out of here," I said, averting my gaze from everyone. 

After hovering over me for a little longer, they convinced themselves that everything was fine. Moving to another room, I tried not to think about anything other than tying the bandage around my toes. 

Kookie took some rest at my insistence, and others, while not entirely convinced, gave me some time. I did not even let Dr. Son diagnose me because I was afraid he would find something and cause everyone to panic.

"We need to speak," Taehyung's voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked around, and it was just me and him. 

"I might not be," I said quietly, my voice breaking the silence.

“What?” Taehyung demanded as he grabbed my arm. “What the hell are you talking about?”

"I might not stand a chance, you know."

"There could be. Jungkook survived, and you can, too."

I laughed quietly. 

"Jungkook does not know," I explained softly. “But we’re not blood siblings.”

The words echoed through the air like thunderclaps.

"Kookie's parents died when he was a baby; a tragic accident took their lives," I explained, my voice trembling. "Mine took him in. We grew up together, but we are not related by blood." I turned to face Taehyung. "So, I might not be immune; not even one percent."

Taehyung's face crumpled as he took a step toward me. “Jeongyeon, no. You are going to be okay. You’re strong, like him—”

"Taehyung-ssi," I said, forcing a smile that I did not feel. “It’s okay. We’ll figure it out.”

He paced the room like a caged animal while swearing under his breath. “This can’t be happening. Not now.”

Dr. Son suddenly stepped forward, his expression grim but determined. "I have heard everything".

"If we can make it to the port, I can give you the cure. It is risky, but it just might work."

“Might?” Taehyung inquired sharply, his tone tinged with panic.

“It’s better than nothing,” Dr.Son shot back.

The room fell silent again, the weight of his words settling over us.

Taehyung finally stopped pacing and turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "We are not losing you," he stated firmly.

Something in his voice made my chest tighten, but I lacked the strength to unwind it.

"We leave at first light, only one hour to go," Taehyung said, his tone unwavering. “No more delays.”

"I will notify everyone—- about the departure." Dr. Son spoke and then left.

I nodded, but the tension in the air did not ease.

While others scattered to prepare, I leaned against the wall, exhaustion sweeping over me.

Taegyung lingered, his gaze fixed on mine.

“What?” I asked, forcing a weak smile.

He shook his head, his jaw tightened. “You should’ve told me.”

“It wouldn’t have changed anything,” I said quietly.

“It changes everything,” he snapped, then took a deep breath, his voice softening. “But we’re getting you to that port, Jeongyeon-ssi. I don’t care what it takes.”

For the first time that night, I allowed myself to believe him.

---

The hours passed slowly, bringing us closer to dawn—and whatever awaited us at the port.

I sat by Jungkook's side, watching him sleep, the weight of my secret pressing against me like a stone.

I would protect him no matter what.

Even if it means losing myself.

_____

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