The Return | Zombies Sequel [A TXTZY Story]

Chapter 9: The Recording

Mina, Beomgyu, and Ryujin

Ryujin stirs awake still feeling the warmth of Beomgyu around her. She smiles feeling his arms hold her tight but she suddenly remembers that they're not alone. She slowly tries to get out of his hold before her mom kills her but that's when she realizes something.

Mina isn't there.

Ryujin says, "Mom? Are you here?"

No answer.

She slowly breaks free from Beomgyu's hold and stands up. There's nothing but a pile of ash from the burnt money. She looks around and notices that they're the only ones in the room.

Ryujin yells, "MOM! WHERE ARE YOU!" Beomgyu sits up quickly hearing Ryujin yell. He says with a raspy and half awoken voice, "What's going on? Who's there?"

Ryujin turns to him with tears in her eyes, "Mom ran away. I don't know where she is." Beomgyu rakes his hair back and says, "Stay ins-" Ryujin raises her voice, "NO! What the hell, Beomgyu? Why would I stand around while my mom is out there!" Beomgyu raises his voice, "I can't look after you and look for you mom at the same time!"

Ryujin says, "You don't need to look after me! I'm not your baby! I mean I am your- that's not- you're not my dad!"

Beomgyu stays quiet and walks to the corner. He hands her the gun and says, "You can help me but you have to stay close and you do not hesitate to shoot a zombie or runaway when things get tough. Okay?"

Ryujin rolls her eyes, "Okay, boss." Beomgyu leads out the room and it's morning. The snowing stopped but it's still freezing cold outside and the roads are still frozen. There's no zombies and both their eyes dart to the obvious footsteps.

Beomgyu walks in front with Ryujin behind him. She looks around for any signs of her mom. Beomgyu stops walking to check on her but she doesn't notice and bumps into him.

Ryujin jumps and points the gun directly at him. He stares at her a bit scared and says, "Y-you should walk up front, just follow the footsteps and I'll look around." She just nods and walks up following the footsteps.

Fortunately, it's really easy to follow tracks in the snow. Ryujin feels relaxed seeing only one pair of footsteps because she knows that no zombies approached her.

The footsteps suddenly disappear and she's standing in the middle of a road. Beomgyu says, "Hey Ryujin?" She turns to meet his eyes and he asks, "What the hell is that?"

Ryujin turns to meet his eyes and they suddenly widened.

It's a big bus with drawings and doodles on the side.

"The Eagle Bus V2" was written on the side. It seemed like one of those vehicles in Mad Max but why was it flipped over and crashed into a building?

Beomgyu says, "I want to check it out." Ryujin nods her head as their curiosity catches the better of them.

As they near the tipped over bus, they suddenly hear a voice. It was a mans voice.

"If you find this video, take it and head to Sarranghae Hotel. Find Jin and the others and make sure they get it."

Suddenly, the recording stopped. Beomgyu slowly peeks his head inside and he sees Mina curled up on the ground watching the video.

Ryujin joins him and a sudden sensation of happiness and relief fills her heart.

She quickly exclaims, "MOM! YOU SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ME!" Ryujin runs up to her and brings her to a tight hug. Ryujin almost cries, "I was so worried, I thought you were gone! Beomgyu and I walked-"

She stops talking once she realizes Mina staring at the video. Ryujin whispers, "Mom? Are you okay? I mean, I know you're not okay but... Why did you run away and why are you in here?"

Mina takes the phone on the ground and pockets it. She whispers, "We have to go to Sarranghae Hotel."

Ryujin smiles, "W-what's at Sarranghae Hotel?" Mina replies, "Safety." Beomgyu clears his throat and asks, "With all do respect Ryujin's mom, but what the hell is this thing?"

Mina stands up and says, "This is the Eagle Bus." Beomgyu tries his best to stay polite and not roll his eyes then asks, "Who made it? Who drove it? What's it doing tipped over crashed into a building?"

Mina sighs and says, "It's a long story. Let's get walking and I'll indulge you. And please, just call me mom." Beomgyu blushes, "Really?" Mina eyes him and says, "Let's go."

Ryujin walks in front of Mina to stop her from walking and says, "Wait." Mina stares blankly at Ryujin and raises an eyebrow. Ryujin asks, "W-we're going there together, right?"

Mina continues to keep the emotionless stare and says, "Princess, promise me something." Ryujin stays quiet and Mina says, "Promise me, you'll never leave Beomgyu's side." Ryujin unknowingly tears up and lets out a chuckle, "Y-you sound like you're leaving. You're not thinking of running away again, are you?"

Mina keeps her silence and finally breaks a smile, "Of course not. I just can't protect you like he can." Ryujin just nods as Mina take the lead.

JiNayeon, Soobin, Lia, Huening Kai, and Yuna

Soobin smiles, "So, you're roomies with me." Hyuka smiles and just lies on the bed. It's a big turn from what he was sleeping on before.

It sure is convenient that the safe haven was at a five star hotel. Kai asks, "How did you end up here and with Lia?" Soobin blushes, "W-well, you know. We were just hanging out and all... then boom! Zombie apocalypse."

Hyuka chuckles, "So... you were on a date?" Soobin scoffs and says, "Call it what you want, boys and girls can hang out just as friends." Huening Kai nods then says, "So she friend-zoned you?" Soobin bites his lip and says, "Jin and Nayeon found us while we were raiding a bakery. They brought us here and we've been relaxing."

Kai chuckles, "Way to change the subject."

"You friend-zoned him?"

Lia nods her head with no shame and Yuna says, "Why? You said you liked him." Lia says, "Well, they're usually just one-sided. You know how guys are around me, they always hang out as friends and when I confess, they reject me and things start to get awkward. I don't want to be awkward with him."

Yuna puffs her cheeks, "You're a coward." Lia glares at her, "Why did you come with Huening Kai?"

Yuna smiles proudly, "Ha! You're trying to turn the tables on me but as a matter of fact, we've only talked to teach other when we were in our friend group before the apocalypse. We only came together because he protected me from that zombie in class!"

Lia raises an eyebrow, "And you don't like him?" Yuna rolls her eyes, "You're so dramatic. Boys and girls can be friends too." Lia asks, "So he friend-zoned you?" Yuna blushes, "W-well... we... I- No, we friend-zoned each other!"

Lia rolls her eyes, "Whatever makes you sleep at night."

To be continued...