Apocalypse | BTS

Chapter 38

Everyone's hearts were beating wildly in their chests as the two vehicles sped through the dark tunnel, the end only about two hundred metres away. Leanne and Taehyung got to packing emergency equipment and weapons into waterproof bags so that if they did have to make the escape, maybe even across the river, they would have what they needed if they made the decision of abandoning the vehicles.

"Do you think they'll track us down?" Hoseok said in a fearful tone, gripping the steering wheel tightly, and the others not only noticed his worry but shared in it.
"Fuck, the fire pit. The trackers will definitely see that." Yoongi said, hitting the dashboard out of frustration.
"We're not giving up. We don't have enough fuel for a good old car chase, so if this means we'll have to abandon the vans so that we can escape across the river, so be it. " Jungkook said, hearing a nervous sound come from behind him.

"Uh... is it a good time to tell you that I'm kind of a weak swimmer?" Taehyung said nervously, Jungkook turning to him while Yoongi rolled his eyes.
"Are you serious, kid? All those muscles and you can't swim?" Yoongi teased, Taehyung scowling at him.
"I can swim! Just... not very well." Taehyung said defensively, biting his lip at the judging looks he was given.
"It's fine, we can sort it out when we get there." Jungkook said, Taehyung nodding as the leader turned back to Yoongi and Hoseok at the front.

"Okay, moment of truth." Hoseok breathed, the end of the tunnel finally catching up with them as the RV rocketed outside, probably at speeds that no such vehicle should be going. The moment the had exited the tunnel, they were immediately off of the train tracks and onto the grass, not slowing down when they realised how close to the river they were.
"Jungkook, there's no way we're getting out of this one. They'll definitely track us down." Hoseok said seriously, Jungkook stressfully running a hand through his hair as he made a decision that he was hoping he wouldn't have to make.

"The only safe place is on the other side of the river, so I guess we'll have to call the others to quickly work out what to do." Jungkook said, a shiver running through his body simply by looking at the wide and cold expanse of water that stretched out in front of them.
"Leanne, use the radio to tell the others what they think about crossing the river. I need everyone with weapons at hand, it's likely there'll be an aquoid close by that will notice our entry into the water." Jungkook said, his words sending chills through the group but they knew it was all the could do. If they stayed in the open they'd be shot on the spot.

Leanne did as she was told, using the radio to communicate with the others as the RV and the van screeched to a halt by the riverbank.
"The trackers are definitely gonna be onto us. Our only escape is across the river, and without a boat, I guess what we have to do is kinda self explanatory." Is what came through the radio, making them all anxious but mainly Jin who went extremely pale.

"You're saying we're gonna have to swim? What about the vehicles and all our equipment?!" Namjoon yelled, Leanne taking a moment before the radio crackled back to life.
"We've got a couple of waterproof bags with clothes, weapons and food. Take what you need, but Jungkook says that all the science we will need is in your heads. We need to go." Leanne said, her urgency causing Jimin and Leanne to jump up from the back and take off their top layers of clothing to stuff them into bags. The less they were wearing, the less clothing got wet.

"I've been told that there's a small rubber dinghy at the back of the RV. Any equipment you need can go in there, along with Kwan." Leanne finished, Namjoon ready to leap out of the van when a hand tightly gripped his arm.
He turned to his husband, frowning when he saw the fear in the other male's dark eyes.
"Joon, I can't swim! You know I can't swim! What do I do?" Jin hissed almost hysterically, causing the others to freeze.

"Let's just get out and I'll help you if you need me to, but we're more likely to die at the hands of South Camp officials than an aquoid or other reasons so let's get going!" Namjoon said with urgency, Jin gulping and nodding as he opened the car door and started gathering equipment.
Within minutes, everyone had taken off their heavy layers and had equipment in bags and weapons at hand.

"It's decided, we're abandoning the vehicles." Jungkook said as the group gathered outside, the others nodding gravely as they knew the danger of passing through any open water, especially without a boat. That's when another gunshot sounded, closer than the last, which made them all hurry to the riverside. Luckily for Jin and Taehyung, Leanne had come up with the brilliant idea of using the small blow-up mattress as a float to aid them in their crossing, giving the two of them a chance to get to the other side quickly and safely, but Namjoon was gonna be swimming with them to ensure that no one got left behind.

The small, fluorescent orange dingy was filled with bags of equipment, Kwan safely placed on one side of it. Yoongi was reluctant to let Kwan go, so he tied the rope that was around the dinghy around his torso so that he could pull it behind him as he was the strongest swimmer of them all.
"If there is any sign of South Camp, everyone should duck under the water. It's dark enough for them not to see us." Jimin suggested, the others nodding in understanding.

"Let's be quick, and don't stop." Jungkook said, muttering a 'ready' and earning hums in response. Jumping from the river-bank one by one, they each plunged into the suffocating and cold water of the river. Jungkook was the first to jump, and he gasped as he felt the air being knock out of him when the icy water seemed to cling to his body. Once they were all in the water, it was a race.

A race for survival.