Apocalypse | BTS

Chapter 5

"We're getting dangerously low on sanberries Hobi." Leanne sighed as she shut the cool box, and Hobi frowned.
"Let's stop off at a camp tomorrow and grab some supplies, including fuel. The closest one is south camp I think, and I'm pretty sure we have just enough fuel to get there. Maybe we can rest up there too, Yoongi certainly needs it." Hobi said, nodding his head in the direction of the male that was sleeping soundly on the passenger seat, Kwan curled up on his lap. Leanne agreed, climbing out of the front and frowning.

"Are you sure we can trust him? He seemed quite on edge about us." Leanne whispered, just in case Yoongi was awake, and Hoseok shrugged and patted her shoulder with a soft smile.
"I think he's just anxious. Besides, I like him, and we're all he's got. It's not often you come across someone like him." Hoseok said, and Leanne returned the smile.
"You're right. You're always right Hobi. You drive, it's getting dark, I'll ride in the back and keep watch." Leanne said, and Hoseok looked a little taken aback by her suggestion.

"Are you sure? It's cold... take the blanket-" his rambling was cut off as Leanne raised her hand, chuckling.
"No, let Yoongi take the blanket. I'll be fine, now let's get going."
Understanding that the faster they got on their trail, the safer they'd be, Hoseok hesitated no further in jumping in the front and setting off.

There were four main camps in the area that surrounded an old, abandoned city. North, East, South and West camp. Where they were located in relation to the city was quite self explanatory, but each camp specialised in something different.

North camp was the largest of them all, which was rather fitting as it focused on defence and weaponry. East camp was the smallest of the four, and within its gates it held some of the best and only scientists and doctors alive that day, where they studied the aliens and monitored the ever-changing surroundings. South camp, the one they were heading for now, was entirely focused on training and attack mechanisms, and it contained some of the best yet most ruthless squads and leaders. And finally, west camp was based on technology and crafting, working with the resources available to try and make the most out of them in order to survive.

South camp wasn't too far, maybe just over an hour's drive at a decent speed, but a lack of wanting to attract attention meant that they would have to drive slowly. Their biggest obstacle they had to face now was passing through the outskirts of the crumbling city to reach the far south end of the area. Passing through the city nowadays was a treacherous feat, as the abandoned buildings were teaming with aliens, rebels and danger alike. Alien inhabitation, destruction and lack of maintenance meant that buildings would collapse on a daily basis, and you couldn't pass through any road without being on high alert.

Hoseok had only made a couple of trips into the city with Leanne, but they only did it when they really had to, and they never went further in than the outskirts. The only people who did decide to venture further either became rebel groups that now inhabit the area simply with a death wish, or were the strongest squads with elite fighters. Even then sometimes people would never return. Hoseok and Leanne were both very strong fighters by talent, but with only the two of them and no real training, they would surely be at a loss as clusters of aliens swarmed the area, hidden in shadows.

It was about midnight by the time they reached south camp, and all three of them sighed in relief as they had no run-ins with aliens or rebels alike. Hoseok was like a human GPS, and he managed to work out the safest route, getting them through the outskirts of the city safely and quickly. The moon hung above them, suspended on its dark canvas as stars surrounded it like splatters of white paint flicked by a fine paintbrush. The camp stood in front of them like a grand castle, it's tall wooden buildings reaching up into the thick night as small figures kept watch from the top in case of any approaching clusters.

Hobi could already feel a yawn crawling up his throat as they approached the camp's twisted wooden gate, two thick wooden beams stretching about 5 metres across and meeting in the middle. The whole structure of the place, formed from wood and metal, was simply lit by flaming torches that stood proud either side of the gate, and along the pathways inside. Fire was a necessity to light up camps as it didn't only help you to see, but also kept any swooping cynoids at bay as fire was the only thing discovered to ward them off. Noticing the guards registering their approach, Hoseok eased his foot off of the accelerator, and waited for Leanne to do her thing. As a security guard approached the truck with a gun in hand to see who it was, Leanne jumped down from the top, extending her hand towards the man in a polite gesture.

"Leanne, military pilot and martial arts warrior." She introduced herself with a smile, despite her brows being locked in a determined gaze, and the man nodded and shook her hand. She showed her army badge to him as evidence, and the guard immediately gave a hum of approval, before signalling to the others to open the gates. Thick ropes were drawn through the fingers of two large men, swinging open the gates gradually as the heavy wood creaked and a groaned.

It was known that anyone who was previously in the military or army was immediately permitted to enter any camp, mainly because camp leaders thought they would be of use if they chose to stay, which proved to be very helpful to Hoseok and Leanne. But they weren't planning on staying. Camps could be dangerous places if you didn't have a strong connection to them. Being part of a camp had its up sides; you were able to have a relatively safe place to stay with food available and strong people around you. But you disobey them even slightly, and you could get shot immediately, or worse, tortured. With south camp being the most heavily equipped out of all of them, stepping a toe out of line was certainly not an option right now.

They muttered their thanks to the security guards before entering into the camp, parking the truck in a small vehicle area off to the side. Hoseok almost sighed in relief as the gates swung shut behind them, and they were safely concealed within the tall walls that towered around the massive area. Hoseok look over at Yoongi, who had since woken up, and he smiled as he saw the mint-haired male gazing around in awe.

"I... I've never been in a camp before." Yoongi muttered quietly, and Hobi tilted his head slightly as he took a thin jacket from the front.
"Put this on, it'll keep you warm while we go and find somewhere to eat." Hobi said thoughtfully, and although looking reluctant, Yoongi took the jacket from Hobi's warm hands and draped it over his bony shoulders, sighing at the warmth. Hoseok's driver door was swung open, Leanne popping her head round the side and chuckling at the two sleepy men that sat in the front.

"Come on guys, we don't have all night! The faster we eat the faster you can go to sleep." She reasoned, and Hobi smiled and jumped out, in contrast to Yoongi who released a tired groan and slid unwillingly from his seat.
"Alright." Hoseok yawned, rubbing his hands together as the biting cold penetrated his clothing.

"Let's go eat."