UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER

Present time

As the words crackled softly in the dimly lit space, the night air enveloped Yunha and Yon in its serene embrace. Shadows danced around them, casting flickering patterns on the ground, as they sat beside each other, lost in conversation.

"You what?" Yunha's voice was filled with disbelief, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Yon hesitated for a moment, his gaze fixed on the floor before he spoke again. "Scary, right. But I just couldn't bear the fact that she thought that way about dad. He was trying his best so how could she..."

Yunha's eyes softened with understanding as she listened to his words. "I understand," she said gently.

"Excuse me?" Yon's voice carried a hint of surprise, mingled with a touch of skepticism.

"I understand why you did that," Yunha replied, her tone reassuring.

"You are really twisted, Yunha," Yon remarked with a wry smile, shaking his head slightly.

"I just understand why you did what you did," Yunha reiterated, her voice calm and steady.

"That is-" Yon began, but Yunha interjected before he could finish.

"So, what happened then?" She asked, curiosity lacing her words.

"We should have a little rest now. Plus, the events after that day weren't that pleasant..." Yon trailed off, his voice trailing into silence.

"Hm. Okay. Good night," Yunha said softly, understanding his need for respite.

Yunha rose from her seat, stretching her limbs before walking over to her blanket and plopping down on it. Yon watched her for a moment, his gaze lingering on her peaceful expression as she quickly succumbed to the embrace of sleep.

The space was bathed in tranquility in contrast with the terror they are encompassed within as the night wore on, the only sounds being the occasional rustle of blankets and the distant hoot of birds. And as Yunha drifted into a deep slumber, Yon remained vigilant in words and lost in truth, keeping a silent watch over their temporary haven amidst the chaos.

***

Eunhye stirred from her slumber, feeling a slight chill permeate her body in the cold weather. She sat up, her movements causing the blankets to shuffle softly around her. Beside her, Sae Joon Hyun remained lost in the depths of sleep, until she jerked him awake with urgency. He lazily yawned, his hands instinctively covering his eyes as he mumbled, "What do you want?"

She pointed towards In-Ha, her expression serious. "Miss. In-Ha. It will be exactly nine months..."

"WHAT," Sae Joon Hyun exclaimed, his voice rising in alarm.

"Shh," Eunhye hushed him, quickly covering his mouth with her hands. He nodded with wide eyes, understanding the need for caution. As soon as she removed her hands, he whispered to her, "What now?"

"I don't know. That's why I woke you up," Eunhye replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Yuri stirred from her own slumber, drawn by the sound of their whispered conversation and the shuffling of blankets. She crept up behind them, her hair cascading over her face like a dark veil. Sae Joon Hyun jumped at the sudden appearance, his initial instinct to scream stifled as he felt a tight grip on his right wrist. Jaeyeon shook his head with a knowing smile, "It's Yuri Seonsangnim."

"Oh right. She is pregnant, isn't she..." Yuri murmured, her thoughts drifting as she pieced together the situation. Jaeyeon too found himself immersed in contemplation, his mind racing to find a solution.

Soon enough, the couple and the students gathered around In-Ha's sleeping form, processing the startling revelation together. They stared at her peaceful face, lost in thought.

In-Ha stirred from her slumber, blinking in confusion at the sight of everyone gathered around her. She let out a tiny gasp, her hands instinctively curling into fists on her chest as she peered out from under the blanket. "What the heck. Why are you all staring at me like that?!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled by the fabric.

The group stepped back awkwardly, unsure of how to proceed. Jay, mustering his courage, began, "Well... You see... It will be time for your... delivery soon... And we don't know what to do..."

In-Ha's eyes widened in realization. "I am going to have a baby. Not an alien," she retorted with a mix of amusement and exasperation, her tone cutting through the tension with a hint of humor.

"Let's check for hospitals-" Eugene's words hung in the air, abruptly halted by the sudden noise emanating from the glitching television screen. The once static-filled display now flickered with colors before revealing a wood-finished conference room. The sound crackled and boomed as the scene unfolded, capturing the attention of everyone in the room.

The figures on the screen gradually became clearer, and recognition dawned on the faces of those watching. They saw people in military uniforms, a man in a black suit seated behind a plate labeled 'president'—individuals they had seen in the news, read about in articles, or heard mentioned in passing.

Eunhye felt a rush of adrenaline as she watched, her organs seemingly shifting within her as she stared wide-eyed at the screen, a bitter taste lingering in her mouth. The voices, once distorted by the crackling noise, began to resolve into clarity.

"What the. It's working. The television is working all of a sudden..." Yohan's voice cut through the tension in the room, his disbelief mirroring that of the others present. Sae Joon Hyun heard the murmurs of confusion surrounding him, but amidst the chaos, one voice remained clear as glass, albeit glitching—the voice emanating from the television.

As the scene unfolded on the screen, the group found themselves drawn into the unfolding drama, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected turn of events. They exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes as they struggled to make sense of what they were witnessing.

Eugene's earlier suggestion of checking nearby hospitals was forgotten, overshadowed by the display playing out before them.

The president's voice echoed through the room, commanding attention as he addressed the nation in the wake of the devastating pandemic that had struck South Korea.

"Good morning, citizens," he began, his tone solemn yet resolute. "I am the military captain here with the president to talk about the pandemic that has hit South Korea. We greatly apologize for the delay in making this announcement. The office was surrounded by zombies."

Eunhye's heart skipped a beat at the mention of zombies, her mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Beside her, Sae Joon Hyun tensed, his expression grave as he absorbed the president's words.

"We request everyone to stay indoors and not leave until the military team comes to rescue each and every one of you," the president continued, his voice steady despite the underlying urgency. "Half of the military have been turned... unfortunately. But we will be responsible for your safety no matter what. The martial law has hence been extended. And we expect your cooperation."

The room fell silent, the weight of the president's words hanging heavily in the air.

"Six units have already been sent to the least populated cities in our country," the president announced, his voice echoing with determination. "We plan on rescuing the least first. We need a lot of arms for the most populated cities. We have begun with Gyeryong. Please be patient and wait for us."

As the announcement came to an end, the television screen flickered with static once more, leaving the room engulfed in a heavy silence. Eunhye's mind raced with thoughts of uncertainty and fear, while Sae Joon Hyun clenched his fists, his jaw set in determination.

"They will rescue us," Hailey muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," Charyeong affirmed slowly, her tone carrying a hint of uncertainty.

Minji clutched onto Young's hands tightly, seeking comfort in the warmth of their touch. Young squeezed her hands reassuringly, their silent gesture speaking volumes amidst the chaos unfolding around them.

Ji-Hoon, overcome with frustration and fear, strode towards the television and shook it vigorously in a futile attempt to elicit a response from the glitching screen.

Jay, sensing his desperation, rushed towards Ji-Hoon and pulled him back, his grip firm yet gentle. "Why?" Ji-Hoon's voice cracked as he spoke, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Why did it take them so long? Why?!" His cries echoed through the room, his anguish palpable as he released the pent-up emotions he had been holding back for so long.

His outburst acted as a catalyst, unleashing a floodgate of emotions within the group. Tears flowed freely, soaking their clothes and cheeks as they screamed out their bottled-up feelings in the dimly lit space, their voices blending into a cacophony of despair and frustration.

Zera moved towards Hailey, her touch light as she gently pounded her shoulders in a comforting gesture. Hailey reciprocated, patting Zera's back in silent solidarity.

In-Ha slumped back in the chair behind her, her words hanging heavily in the air. "There are people who are still alive out there somewhere. The military is alive. The president too..."

Her words struck a chord within them, further eroding their already fragile resolve. The realization that hope still existed, albeit dimly, only served to magnify their sense of helplessness and despair.

Outside, the creatures sensed the despair emanating from within the room and pounded on the door with renewed ferocity. But even their relentless assault couldn't drown out the wailing cries of the survivors, each one grappling with their own inner demons as they confronted the harsh reality of their situation.

After they had exhausted their tears and their eyes had turned completely puffy and red, the group gathered themselves, drawing strength from each other's presence. They donned the "advanced" safety armor that Yuri had meticulously designed for their protection.

The armor was a combination of practicality and makeshift materials, each piece crafted with the sole purpose of ensuring their survival in the face of danger. A helmet made of hard mat and cushions provided protection for their heads, while hand wraps fashioned from duct tape offered a layer of defense for their hands. Thick blankets covered a padded jacket, providing insulation against both the elements and potential threats. Face masks provided an additional barrier against airborne contaminants, while high boots covered in thick cushions protected their feet from any hazards on the ground. Thick pads for the legs and arms offered further reinforcement, while a long padded garment around their necks ensured full coverage and minimized vulnerable areas. All of it had one simple rule: to not be bitten at any cost.

"But... This is a little hard to move in..." Mina remarked, her voice tinged with both frustration and discomfort as she examined the cumbersome gear, her nose still sniffing from the earlier tears.

Minyoung responded with a light slap to the back of Mina's head, a silent admonishment for her complaint. Mina shot her a glare, but the silent rebuke was enough to quell any further protest.

"Let's go," Sae Joon Hyun's voice cut through the tension, his cold gaze fixing on Mina. She shivered involuntarily at the intensity of his stare, taking a step back in response.

"They called them zombies, you know..." Yohan interjected, breaking the heavy silence that hung over the group.

Hailey reached out and gently took his hand in hers, offering a silent gesture of support. "I guess that's probably what they are," she replied softly, her voice tinged with resignation.

"It's best to drop the name 'grave up' now," Yuri suggested, her tone practical. Jaeyeon nodded in agreement, adding, "We made that up anyway."

With a collective nod, the group set aside their lingering doubts and fears, focusing instead on the task at hand. Clad in their makeshift armor, they prepared to venture out into the unknown.

Quietly, the group climbed into the jeep, their movements swift and purposeful as they prepared to face the dangers that awaited them outside. Jaeyeon assumed the driver's seat, his hands gripping the steering wheel with a steely determination. Hailey and Yohan settled on either side of In-Ha, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger, while Young and Minji pushed open the metal door, readying themselves for the onslaught of zombies that awaited them.

As the zombies surged towards them, Yuri sprang into action, slamming one of them to the ground with a swift, decisive motion. The sickening sound of the zombie's head hitting the cemented pathway served as a stark reminder of the peril they faced, jolting the couple into action as they rushed towards the safety of the jeep.

Eunhye extended her hand, pulling them in one after the other with practiced ease. Yon shook two glass bottles in his hands and tossed them to Jay and Ji-Hoon, their makeshift weapons glinting in the light. With a flick of his wrist, Yon brandished a pair of knives, his gaze fixed on the approaching horde of zombies.

Jaeyeon spun the jeep around, the sound of the wheels filling the air as he navigated through the chaos with precision. With a calculated maneuver, he pressed down on the clutch and collided with the horde of zombies, the jeep plowing through them with a forceful momentum.

The zombies that managed to evade the initial impact were swiftly dealt with by Minji and Sae Joon Hyun, their shots ringing out amidst the chaos. Mina, sensing the urgency of the situation, pushed Eunhye to the front of the moving vehicle, using her as a shield to protect herself from the encroaching danger.