Z APOCALYPSE

CHAPTER 5: Instinct

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BAEKHYUN

Gazing at Luhan and Taehyung, all snuggled up in a cozy bed, warmth blossomed in my chest, igniting a bittersweet satisfaction. It made me reconsider my intention to leave this haven for a while. Yet, the stark reality that so many people today were robbed of the simple joys of life — like playing in parks, indulging in sweet treats, and cherishing family moments — weighed heavily on my heart.

We had a pressing mission on our hands: to make our way southward to reach the WHO's headquarters. Recent reports hinted at a military-organized camp for survivors that promised safety amidst the chaos that engulfed the country. My hope was that this refuge could be our salvation. But as the weeks dragged on without radio communications, the only sound that broke the oppressive silence was the recurring cautionary message from the president's spokesman urging us to stay safe and avoid the infected. The utter lack of updates made the idea of heading towards the nearest camp seem not only unwise but potentially fatal — the threat of zombies loomed large, overwhelming any sense of hope.

I briefly entertained the notion of risking it all to visit the CDC, driven by a desperate flicker of hope that my father might still be alive. However, realizing the peril I would impose on Luhan and Taehyung made my heart sink further. The CDC sat in the heart of Seoul, a city teeming with lurking zombies; not even a fly would dare land in such a nightmarish landscape.

With a heavy sigh, I rubbed my temples, feeling the swell of anxiety in my mind. The weight of my thoughts overwhelmed me, a turbulent ocean that wouldn't calm.

Once upon a time, I lamented the loss of childhood joys — the laughter of children at playgrounds, the simple pleasures of parents earning an honest living, and the dreams of building a family together. But now, the stark realization washed over me that this is our world — a place where only the fortunate persevere.

A dying world.

I was haunted by the resilience of children, fighting against the darkness, forced to confront truths too painful for innocence to bear. This is the life we've come to know.

Under the watchful gaze of the moon, I gathered myself and stood behind the chilly window. Sleep eluded me, as the fresh, crisp air felt more invigorating than the soft bed that whispered promises of forgetfulness, a temptation I couldn't afford to indulge in.

Silence has its comforts. Yet, an abundance of stillness can spiral into dangerous contemplations about the future — thoughts that could prove lethal.

We had survived for so long; I resolved to keep one eye open as I drifted into a weary sleep to ensure our safety.

Embracing this moment of shelter, I unlatched the bronze doorknob and willed myself out onto the balcony, stepping away from the seductive comfort of our cabin that beckoned weakness.

The cold air enveloped my face, a familiar sensation that was once a source of resilience, now a welcome reminder of the harsh reality outside.

I held my samurai blade firmly in my grip, resting it on my lap as I perched on the edge of the cabin, soaking in the peacefulness of the night. The crickets serenaded the stillness, filling the air with their rhythmic symphony, a gentle reminder of life's persistence.

In the dark stillness, I lost myself in the shifting cloud formations, grazing the moonlit sky. It was ethereal, beautiful even, but I couldn't shake the unease creeping into my bones.

As my eyes wandered, I took note of the handcrafted homes around us, each adorned with glowing lamps that illuminated the surroundings like tiny beacons of hope. One house stood out, caught in the spotlight of my curiosity; it was two stories tall, dominating the landscape.

There, a tall figure occupied a bench by the front door, engrossed in his cigarette. The hazy smoke spiraled into the air, dancing with the faint light, while the wide balcony above obscured his features. His silhouette revealed a commanding presence; a broad chest and imposing height suggested strength.

Instinctively, I sensed he was a lookout — part of the men tasked with our safety. Although uncertainty loomed, I felt a kinship in our shared burdens, a silent acknowledgment of the wounds etched into his soul, mirroring the pain of so many.

I blinked, suddenly aware of his piercing gaze locked onto mine. Despite the enveloping darkness, I felt the weight of his scrutiny as he exhaled slowly, releasing a cloud of smoke into the night.

After a lingering moment, he offered me one last look before retreating inside the house. My heart raced, witnessing how effortlessly he vanished from sight. His stature alone was enough to instill a flicker of caution in me.

Pushing the chaos in my mind aside, I cancelled my plan to confront him and retreated into our cabin instead. It was just me, Luhan, and Taehyung nestled within these walls; who would dare sleep outside the defenses of strangers?

Though my mind was a whirlpool of anxious thoughts, exhaustion weighed heavily upon me. I tried to focus on the calming cadence of crickets, praying their songs would keep the undead at bay. Setting my blade aside, I leaned back onto the comforting bed, hoping to steal some rest.

An unsettling feeling lingered in the air, something indefinable and haunting. I couldn't shake it off. But still, I clung to the hope that this place might hold a semblance of safety — at least for a while.

I found myself gazing up at the dark, wooden ceiling, shadows dancing slightly as my mind swirled with unsettling curiosity. The weight of my thoughts pressed heavily on my chest.

How many walkers had these people already dispatched? How many humans had fallen at their hands?

Each question spiraled deeper into an abyss of regret, making me wish I hadn't let my mind wander to such grim places. Now, sleep eluded me as the instinctual drive to protect Luhan and Taehyung surged within me. It felt as if a primal instinct had awakened, compelling me to remain alert and ready for any threat.

With a sigh that echoed softly in the stillness, I pushed myself into a seated position and directed my gaze toward the window. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a ghostly illumination that spilled through the glass, creating delicate patterns on the wooden floor. Its light had a way of soothing, even if just a little, amidst the turmoil swirling in my mind.

I reached for my samurai blade, the familiar weight of it reassuring, and rose to my feet with a purpose. Moving with deliberate silence, I approached the cabin's entrance and pressed my back against the sturdy wooden door, determined to block any trespasser who might dare to enter. The cold, hard concrete beneath my feet grounded me, starkly contrasting the comfort of the soft bed that beckoned me.

As an icy shiver began to creep up my spine, I released a few weary sighs, each one a reminder of the fatigue that clung to me. Finally, I felt the pull of fatigue settle in, coaxing me toward the edge of slumber. Just as my eyelids began to droop, the weight of the world fell gently upon me, urging me into a reluctant, yet needed, sleep.

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