亡靈|undead°bts

epilogue.

I smile as I finish scribbling down the last sentence.

My back aches, my hand hurts, and there is a nasty crick in my neck, but none of that matters at the moment. What matters, is that after almost two years, I have completed the journal. The journal I started planning at the end of 2018.

It had been around that time when the race of the undead had finally started to diminish. One by one, the zombies disintegrated, or were drowned, or torn apart by explosions. We figured out that even death has it's limits. A currently eroding body cannot stay in one piece for long, now can it? Especially in normal weather conditions.

That, and the vial Dr. Young had concocted so carefully all those years ago; they made humanity gain an upper hand.

I stretch and gently close the book, arranging it carefully on the bookshelf. It's a beautiful night, with all the stars out and a slight zephyr blows through my hair as I stand at the balcony.

I still remember it all, how I had woken up in a strange bed, and seen all those people around me, anxious for news from the outside. There had been a scientist too; Dr. Byun. Guess he hadn't really died in that zombie attack after all.

We worked together to create the solution, and decided to call it ‘CAIT’ or ‘Cure All Immediate Threat’. It worked on those infected and not fully turned. It did not, however, work on actual undead. But as I mentioned, they were whisked away by themselves, pining away their miserable existences.

We also found out that populations from other parts of the world survived as well, choosing to stay hidden, much like ourselves. We spread CAIT around, and people, after almost an year of death and destruction, found hope once again.

Now, closing my eyes, I see all six of their faces. My friends, all of whom I had lost along the way. My chest longs to meet them once more, to apologize that I couldn't save them, but a part of me knows that there is no way you can reverse death.

Even now, I keep the letter Taehyung had given me, enclosed in a tiny pendant hanging around my neck. I've read it so many times, that the words are plastered on the forefront of my mind.

Joon hyung,

It's me, Taehyung. If you're reading this, I'm probably with the others and you and Yoongi made it!!

I just wanted to tell you, it's not your fault any of this happened. I don't blame you for letting Jin die, or leaving Hobi behind. Because of our silly deaths, I'm sure you'll find a way to save humanity.

I miss the old days, when none of this fantastical world was real. Even now, I laugh at the idea of Jimin going to his blind date with a 40 year old woman we pranked him with.

I'm gonna miss you, hyung. And you, especially you have to make it till the end. You won't die at the hands of one of these zombies, rather you'll find peace in a warm bed, happy and content, having lived a full life. You and Yoongi.

And when you do, we'll see each other again, hyung! The seven of us, just like old times.

Promise me you'll never give up. Promise.

Until then,

—KTH

Absentmindedly, I twirl the pendant around in one hand, as has become my habit of doing so.

I'll see you again, I think, smiling up at the sky. All of you.

And just before I went back inside, a shooting star streaked across the horizon.