Outbreak | Yoonseok

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DAY 3285

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"testing - testing, can anyone hear me? I reeeeeeeeeeepeat can anyone hear meeee? This is a call for any survivors....t-the-re i-i-isss a safe zoooooone-"

Heavy static cut out the voice on the radio, distorting it to the point of being incomprehensible, but Hoseok didn't panic as he loaded his shotgun. That was the seventh time in the past twenty-four hours that he'd heard that message. It was also the ninth consecutive day he'd heard it. He had it memorized at this point, often reciting it in his head like a mantra when he needed hope.

Located almost 400 m south of the southern boundary of the Korean Demilitarized Zone stood Camp Bonifas — a U.S. Army Base. He'd never heard of it until the broadcast came in on his handheld radio nearly a week ago, but that was where he was headed. It was a safe zone for survivors, the first he'd ever heard of, and he hoped it would still be standing by the time he reached it.

The sun shone brightly overhead, warming everything it's rays could get their claws on. The inside of the trailer had become almost unbearably hot over the past few hours, but Hoseok knew it wouldn't be any better on the outside. At least he had shade within the trailer.

It was a relief to see the sun again after having a constant downpour of rain the past few days (not that Hoseok minded. It had been a relief to see the rain too), and it would be nice to get outside again, instead of being tapped inside. The abandoned trailer park had served as a nice base for the time being, allowing him some much needed rest, and a place to stay warm and dry. He even had a little luck on his side: the trailer had been stocked with a few tins of food, some ammo, and even a new pair of boots. Goodbye sore feet, hello comfort. There were a couple of other odd items he would have found useful, but over the past years, he'd grown to think smart ‒ take only what you could carry, and what was most necessary for survival.

Part of Hoseok missed the rain, as he stood solemnly at the small kitchen counter. The heat made travel unpleasant, and he had appreciated the quiet time in the trailer. It was soothing to hear the rain tapping against the tin roof, and the soft booms of thunder that echoed off in the distance. It had been nice to slow down, to breathe, and to maybe even feel normal. But it was stupid to give into these desires. Hoseok knew that he could never feel normal, not in this life. Letting his guard down would get him injured, or killed, and so dreaming of a peaceful life would have to remain as such: just a dream.

He cocked his shotgun in his hands, and let out a sigh as he stared out the window at the vast, sprawling city in the distance before him. For days it had haunted him, and he almost wished the rain would come back so that he had an excuse to stay put. But there was no sense in wishing for the past. There was only the present, and he would have to go forward at some point, so he might as well bite the bullet and do it now, rather than risk going later.

The static on the radio died down.

"avoid all major cities, i repeat, avoid all major cities...do nOt endanger yourself,"

"Yeah, I know," Hoseok murmured to himself as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. "-but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do,"

It was stupid idea to go through the city, but it was the quickest way to get to Camp Bonifas, according to the map. Going around would take an extra two weeks, and Hoseok knew from firsthand experience that going around wasn't always the safest option.

"stay alert, stay quiet and most important stay safe,"

Hoseok switched off his radio, and stuffed it into his bag. "Here we go," he breathed, kicking open the door to the trailer. Sunlight poured down on him as he stepped into the open, the stale air circulating around his lungs, making it hard to breathe. Sighing gently, he let his head fall back, eyes shutting as he soaked up the heat. The sun felt nice against his skin, and even if it was too hot to breathe, he cherished the warmth. But the moment was short lived, as was every other moment of peace he allowed himself to have. He estimated that he had roughly five hours of daylight left, and he didn't want to be running around the city in the dark, exposed and vulnerable. It was a death sentence in itself just going near the city, so to be wandering around aimlessly once the sun went down...He took one last look at the trailer he'd called home for the past few days, and ventured out past the park.

Hoseok couldn't remember the last time he had been in a city. Ever since the world went to hell, he'd made a point to stay relatively isolated from the rest of society, or on the outskirts of town. It didn't take long to figure out that the quieter it was, the fewer corpses there were, and even if you did come across one, the odds of a hoard striking you down in a rural town was very slim. Hoseok's record so far was four - but it was more like three and a half if he wanted to get technical. Torso and up didn't make for much of a challenge. Of course, being isolated had it's cons - supplies were fewer in number, and your hiding options weren't fantastic, there was hardly any high ground unless you scaled a tree, but then you were a sitting duck, ripe for the picking. Hoseok had become a master rationer, and if rationing his food was the price he had to pay to ensure his safety — that he would make it one more day — so be it.

He could feel the panic in him begin to rise as he grew closer to the city's outskirts. Rundown buildings crept in on his sides, and it was so quiet that it was unnerving. He'd never gotten used to the silence, and he didn't think he ever would. For someone who was used to being loud and boisterous as a child, silence was a strange and foreign concept. Silence was lonely.

The closer he dared, the more the city began to tower over him, dominating the space around him. The suburban houses quickly turned to apartment buildings, to highrises. He felt small compared to them, as they loomed heavily all around, peering down at him as if he was some insignificant creature, a new plaything in their territory. He wondered what they would say if they could talk; would they cheer him on as he ventured further into their heart, or would they laugh at him, and send their hounds to eat him up whole. He felt helpless, and at their mercy. He hated the feeling. It was like he was reliving those first few months; a sour taste formed in his mouth as he remembered what it was like.

"Hoseok run!"

He forced himself to go deeper into their terrain. He needed to find shelter.

"No! I'm not leaving you behind!"

"You have to! Now RUN!"

The sun was beginning to set as he entered the city limits.

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i am on a roll today