Walkers {Kun // NCT au}

flashback

2 years earlier

• • •

BREAKING NEWS.

"This is live coverage of the aftermath of the 8.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Naa-ri, Gyeongsangbuk-do earlier today. The city was struck by the earthquake around 3 PM local time. Early reports let us know that the estimated death toll is at 150, and will most likely increase as the rescue operation continues through until nightfall.

As you can see in this footage, the rescue workers are dressed in hazmat suits as there is a major risk of failure at the Wolseong nuclear power plant located on the coast near Naa-ri. We haven't reached any updates on this yet, however..."

"Holy crap. Kun!" Taeil shouted over his shoulder and into the kitchen.

"Yeah? What's up?" Kun replied as he entered the living room clutching a bowl between his arm and body, whisking away at the sauce he was preparing for their dinner.

"Have you heard of this?" His roommate asked, pointing at the TV.

"... The earthquake has caused widespread damage across Naa-ri and we have just received the news that the nuclear power plant on the town's border has, in fact, been damaged as well. The shock has produced equipment failure and resulted in a loss-of-coolant accident, followed with nuclear meltdowns and releases of radioactive materials."

"Holy crap!" Taeil exclaimed again, but louder this time.

"Shit. That can't be good," Kun said quietly and put down the bowl before sitting down next to his friend.

"This is really, really bad." Taeil pointed out as the news had started to sink in.

"What's bad?" A voice belonging to their other roommate questioned as he just walked in.

"Xiaojun, come look at this. An earthquake hit Naa-ri not too long ago. It sounds really bad," Kun answered, only taking his eyes off of the TV for a brief second.

"Is that where the nuclear power plant is?" Xiaojun inquired further.

"Yeah," Taeil answered him, biting his lip briefly before he continued. "What if the radiation spreads?"

It was clear all three boys had worries on their mind, but as always Kun tried to remain calm and with logical thinking, tried to reassure his friends they'd be fine.

"We're all the way across the country. We have nothing to worry about."

"Hm-hm," Taeil murmured, distracted by what he was seeing on the screen in front of him.

"Are they putting everyone in quarantine then?" Xiaojun asked, taking a seat next to the TV.

"I think so. They were talking about it when you came in. The rescue workers are wearing gas masks and hazmat suits. They're searching for survivors under the debris of collapsed buildings and putting up some sort of camp for the survivors. I don't think anyone's allowed in or out of town."

Taeil concluded his brief summary to help his friend get up to speed. Then the bleached blonde boy focused once again on the TV as it showed rescue workers escorting survivors away from the city centre. It still seemed a dangerous place, the reporter informing his audience that there was continuous falling debris and buildings in danger of collapsing.

Next to him, Kun did the same and watched the surreal footage that was being shown nation — and probably world — wide. It wasn't the first time Kun had heard of a nuclear disaster. It had happened in Japan not that many years back, but now that it was happening in the country he lived in, it suddenly became so much more real.

"You guys, this is pretty scary." Xiaojun admitted. He looked up at his best friends whose faces mirrored the same worried look of his own.

"Stop worrying, Jun!" Kun responded quickly to break the awkward silence that had fallen. He let out a gawky laugh as he nudged his younger friend's arm. Embarrassed of his own reaction, he pushed his freshly dyed blue hair back before rubbing his hand on his cheek. Getting a grip on himself, he took a second before he spoke up again.

"It's your 18th birthday in a few days. How about we worry about planning your party instead?"

Kun tried to muster a sincere smile. It was a valiant effort, but the fear was still visible in his eyes.

Xiaojun and Taeil weren't sure what was going to happen, but they both knew that if Kun was scared... it must be even worse than they had imagined.