SHADOWS OF SECRETS: A STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN

The last to climb into the jeep was Jeha, his steps deliberate and heavy, as though bracing for the task ahead. The group used the vehicle as a makeshift dressing room, changing into their rescue and escape attire—a necessity that Yuri had firmly suggested. It was an idea born of her newfound boldness, a trait she had developed after enduring countless ordeals.

Jay leaned casually against the side of the jeep, watching Yuri with a mischievous grin. "We should just pull in a house while we're at it," he teased, his tone dripping with mockery.

Yuri’s lips pressed into a pout, her arms crossing defensively. "This is fine, okay? It’s a good idea," she muttered, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Her voice carried a defensive edge, but the group could see the determination behind her words.

Jay raised his hands in surrender, though his snicker betrayed his amusement. "Sure, sure," he said, shaking his head.

From a short distance, Eugene offered a reassuring smile, his tone calm and measured. "Good luck to you all, then." His words carried a weight of sincerity, a quiet acknowledgment of the risks ahead.

The others nodded in unison, a brief but meaningful exchange of glances solidifying their resolve. Jaeyeon stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the group before landing on Sae Joon Hyun. He moved closer, his footsteps purposeful yet quiet. With a wave of his hand, Jaeyeon gestured for Sae Joon Hyun to bend down, an unusual intensity flickering in his gaze.

Curious but cautious, Sae Joon Hyun leaned slightly forward, lowering himself to meet Jaeyeon at eye level. "What is it?" he asked, his voice soft but tinged with intrigue.

Jaeyeon hesitated for a fraction of a second before whispering, "Good luck, Hyeong."

Sae Joon Hyun raised an eyebrow, a skeptical smirk tugging at his lips. "That’s it? You pulled me over just to say that?"

Jaeyeon’s expression remained serious, his voice lowering further. "Mm-hm. I just... I don’t know what it’s going to be like traveling between cities in a situation like this. And they’re evolving, too."

The words hung in the air like a heavy fog. Sae Joon Hyun’s smirk faded, replaced by a look of quiet contemplation. He placed a hand on Jaeyeon’s shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "We’ll be fine, dude. Don’t you remember how we’ve survived until now? Together?"

Jaeyeon didn’t respond immediately, his gaze distant. Finally, he muttered, "There’s something I want to tell you."

Sae Joon Hyun tilted his head, confused by the sudden shift in tone. "What is it?" he asked, his curiosity now laced with unease.

Jaeyeon stepped closer, his fingers curling around Sae Joon Hyun’s wrist. His grip was firm, almost urgent, as he pulled him in, their faces mere inches apart.

"Wh-what?" Sae Joon Hyun stammered, his breath hitching.

Jaeyeon’s lips moved, forming soundless words, each syllable deliberate and precise. Sae Joon Hyun’s body froze, his mind racing to process the silent message. There was something in Jaeyeon’s expression—a chilling intensity that unsettled him. The air between them felt heavy, oppressive, as if a dark presence loomed just beyond their vision.

Sae Joon Hyun’s hands trembled as he slid them into his pockets, clenching them into fists in an attempt to ground himself. His chest rose and fell in uneven breaths as he fought to regain composure.

Jaeyeon’s demeanor shifted as quickly as it had darkened. He patted Sae Joon Hyun’s shoulder twice, a gesture that might have seemed casual to an observer. Without another word, Jaeyeon stepped away, his steps measured but unhurried.

Sae Joon Hyun remained rooted to the spot, his mind replaying the silent exchange. Whatever Jaeyeon had conveyed, it left him feeling exposed, as though an invisible weight now rested on his shoulders.

***
Eunhye, Sae Joon Hyun, In-ha, and Yon moved in a synchronized silence, their breaths shallow as they tiptoed across the abandoned base. The bridge ahead loomed eerily in the dim light, its metal creaking faintly under the weight of their cautious steps. They scanned their surroundings twice, their eyes darting to every shadow, every corner where danger might lurk. Fortunately, their path remained clear of the undead.

Without wasting a second, they rushed towards the convenience store that had once served as their temporary base. Their steps were swift yet quiet, like whispers against the asphalt. Passing the store without stopping, their destination came into view—the school.

For Yon, the sight of the school brought an ache of familiarity. It was the very place where his nightmare had begun, the starting line of his descent into this horrific reality. His eyes flitted briefly to the line of buses parked near the school gates, the vehicles standing as silent sentinels to the chaos that had unfolded within the building.

Sae Joon Hyun, leading the group, signaled for them to advance. His hand moved cautiously, his body language firm but wary. They obeyed without hesitation, pacing towards the buses and crouching behind one of them for cover. The world around them fell eerily silent. The groans of zombies, their mindless shuffling—it was all absent, yet the oppressive weight of fear hung in the air.

They swallowed hard, the anxiety lodged in their throats like a choking knot. Sae Joon Hyun gripped the handle of the bus door, testing it cautiously. To their relief, it was unlatched. He pulled it open with a quiet creak and stepped inside. One by one, the others followed, In-ha ensuring the door was locked behind them.

Inside, the bus felt like a fragile sanctuary, its worn seats and dusty windows offering little comfort. Sae Joon Hyun slid into the driver’s seat, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped the ignition key. The others exchanged nervous glances, their makeshift weapons clutched tightly in their hands. The moment they turned the key, they knew everything would change.

The engine roared to life, shattering the silence like a gunshot. The sound was deafening in the stillness, reverberating through the empty streets.

Eunhye tightened her grip on her weapon, her voice sharp with urgency. "Hold on. They’re coming."

And come they did. The first zombies appeared from the shadows, their movements jerky and unnatural, their lifeless eyes locked on the bus. But these were not the same shambling creatures they had faced before. Their speed was terrifying, their determination relentless.

"DRIVE, SAE JOON HYUN!" Eunhye screamed, her voice trembling with panic. "THEY’RE SO MUCH FASTER THAN BEFORE!"

Sae Joon Hyun slammed his foot on the clutch and spun the wheel with all his strength. The bus lurched forward, the tires screeching as he maneuvered it into tight circles. The sudden movement disoriented the pursuing zombies, scattering them momentarily.

"Hold on!" Sae Joon Hyun shouted. His voice was strained as he navigated through the streets, his eyes darting between the road ahead and the horde behind them.

After what felt like an eternity, they managed to outpace the zombies. Sae Joon Hyun directed the bus toward the base beneath the bridge, where Charyeong and Minyoung were already at the metal doors, waiting for them.

The bus screeched to a halt inside the base, the tires skidding across the concrete floor. Everyone was thrown slightly forward from the sudden stop, but they didn’t care. They had made it.

In-ha let out a shaky breath as he leaned back against one of the seats. "We managed to get the bus somehow," he said, his voice low but tinged with relief.

"Were there a lot of them?" Ji-hoon asked, his face pale with worry.

Yon nodded grimly, his hand brushing the sweat from his forehead. "I don’t even know where they pop up from, but as soon as Hyeong turned the ignition key, they were everywhere."

Ji-hoon sighed, his nerves clearly frayed. "Oh gosh... Well, easier said than done."

Yon offered a small, tight smile. "Good luck, Ji-hoon."

"Yeah. I need that. Thanks, Yon," Ji-hoon replied, his voice laced with both sarcasm and genuine gratitude.

Meanwhile, outside the bus, Minji strolled away from the group with an air of indifference, her steps casual, as though she were out for a leisurely walk. Young noticed her and quickly caught up, grabbing her wrist to stop her.

"Minji," he hissed in a whisper, his tone a mix of frustration and worry. "Don’t run off like that. We need to be cautious."

Minji yanked her wrist away, her glare sharp. "Oh, shut up, Young. There’s no one here," she said dismissively.

Young looked ready to argue, but Jay stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "Miss Minji," he began softly, his words carefully measured. "If you want to survive, you’d better start being cooperative."

Minji scoffed loudly, crossing her arms. The tension between her and the group simmered, a reminder that even in the face of death, human stubbornness and ego could still spark conflict.

***

Crouching low against the walls next to the school gate, Charyeong adjusted her grip on the cold metal shaft in her hands. She glanced at Jay, who was signaling toward Ji-Hoon with a sharp nod. The group was tense, every movement calculated, every breath measured. Ji-Hoon waved his hand at Minji and Young, the two closest to the parked school bus. Understanding the silent command, they exchanged a quick look before sprinting forward.

The pair reached the unbolted school bus in a flash, their footsteps echoing faintly against the cracked pavement. Minji climbed inside first, her boots clicking against the metal steps as she settled into the driver’s seat. Without hesitation, she turned the ignition key.

The engine roared to life, cutting through the suffocating silence.

"Minji, what are you doing?" Young barked, his voice rising above the noise of the engine. Panic etched across his face, he grabbed the back of her seat and shook it violently. "STUPID GIRL! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? WE WERE SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR THEM TO BOARD IN BEFORE TURNING THE KEY!"

"YOUNG! STOP IT!" Minji yelled back, her voice cracking under the pressure. "STOP ROCKING THE SEAT!"

Young let go abruptly, his hands clenched into fists. His frustration was evident as he turned his back on her, muttering under his breath. Minji, rattled but defiant, pressed her foot to the gas pedal. The bus lurched forward.

From their hiding spot, Charyeong, Ji-Hoon, and Jay watched in stunned silence as the bus began to pull away. The hum of the engine grew fainter with each passing second, the rear of the vehicle disappearing into the distance.

"No," Charyeong whispered, her voice trembling. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped her weapon tighter, her eyes brimming with hot tears that streaked down her face.

Jay cursed under his breath, the weight of the situation sinking in. Ji-Hoon clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding audibly as frustration and fear mingled on his face.

"What do we do now?" Charyeong asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ji-Hoon exhaled sharply, trying to steady himself. "Charyeong," he said, his voice firm, "we’ve got to run for the base."

"Run?" Her voice broke as she spoke. "We might not make it..."

"We’ve been through this before," Ji-Hoon replied, his tone resolute. "Together. Don’t worry."

But Charyeong shook her head, her tears falling faster now. "No, Ji-Hoon," she said bitterly. "When we were alone, we were just alone. This time, we had adults by our side. People who could call the shots, who could make decisions."

Ji-Hoon stepped closer to her, his expression softening. "Charyeong, listen to me," he began. "We’ve survived against those things before. We’ll be fine—"

Her voice cut through his reassurance like a blade. "We were in a school, Ji-Hoon! In a classroom! We had benches and shelves and doors! Now we’re out in the open! No walls, no barriers! Nothing!"

"Charyeong, stop it!" Jay snapped, his voice louder than he intended. The sharpness of his words hung heavy in the air, and Charyeong flinched. "He’s trying his best not to freak out. You can’t make it worse. Please..."

The group fell silent, the weight of their predicament pressing down on them. The eerie quiet of their surroundings seemed to amplify the pounding of their hearts. Somewhere in the distance, faint groans echoed—a chilling reminder that the zombies in the school could break out at any moment.

Charyeong wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her breathing shallow. She glanced at Ji-Hoon, who nodded at her, his expression both pleading and determined.

"We’ll make it," he said again, his voice quieter but steady.

She didn’t respond, but the faintest flicker of hope passed through her tear-filled eyes. Jay shifted uncomfortably, gripping his weapon as his gaze darted toward the school. Time was running out, and they all knew it.

The silence gnawed at their resolve like an unseen predator. Charyeong sniffled quietly, wiping her tears with the back of her trembling hand. She reached out and gripped Ji-Hoon's left hand tightly, grounding herself in the only comfort she could find. Ji-Hoon turned his head slightly, meeting her teary gaze.

"Fine then," she said softly, her voice quivering yet laced with determination. "Let’s do what we can."

Ji-Hoon nodded, his jaw tightening as he fought back his own fear. Together, they stepped forward, hand in hand, with Jay trailing closely behind. Their footsteps were measured, cautious, as they crossed through the creaking school gates. The air around them felt heavy, suffused with an unsettling familiarity.

Jay suddenly froze, tilting his head toward a faint sound—low, guttural snarls emanating from somewhere ahead. His heart leapt into his throat.

"Do you hear that?" he whispered, gripping his weapon tightly.

Charyeong and Ji-Hoon stopped in their tracks, their own grips tightening instinctively. The sound grew louder, closer, with every heartbeat, until a series of dark, malformed silhouettes emerged from the shadows. Their twisted shapes and shuffling movements were unmistakable.

"Jay. Ji-Hoon," Charyeong whispered, her voice barely audible over the growing noise. "We’re done for."

Ji-Hoon’s throat tightened, but he nodded reluctantly. They exchanged grim looks, each face etched with the realization of how dire their situation was.

With no walls to shelter them, no trusted guidance to lean on, they were left to their own fragile instincts. Charyeong glanced at the weapons in their hands, doubt creeping into her voice. "Can we fend them off?"

Jay hesitated, his mind racing. "If we can manage to keep them at bay long enough to outrun them, maybe we have a chance."

Ji-Hoon added with a flicker of hesitation, "It’s risky, but it’s all we’ve got."

Charyeong's gaze shifted toward the buses parked just a few steps away from the gates. "Shall we board one of the buses?" she asked, her tone urgent.

Ji-Hoon and Jay exchanged glances, weighing the slim odds against the relentless snarls creeping ever closer. The decision was not an easy one. Their whispered deliberations grew more frantic as they took cautious steps back, the growls growing louder, echoing through the night like a cruel warning.

The three moved inch by inch, their breaths quickening with every passing second. Charyeong’s pulse thundered in her ears, but amidst the noise, she felt something—a tingle at the nape of her neck. Her breath hitched.

A cold droplet splashed onto her hair, sliding down toward her scalp.

Charyeong’s eyes widened, terror overtaking her. She swirled around, her weapon raised, only to come face to face with a grotesque figure standing inches behind her. The zombie's arms hung limply at its sides, twisted at unnatural angles, its mouth dripping with saliva.

"J-Ji-Hoon..." Her voice cracked, a strangled cry of warning.

Before Ji-Hoon could turn, the creature lunged, its decayed fingers clawing at her shoulders.

"AAAAARGGGHHHHH!"

Her scream pierced the air, shattering the fragile silence.

***

The tension in the underground base was palpable as Minji and Young entered. The heavy door swung shut behind them with a muffled thud, but it did little to muffle the sharpness in Eugene’s voice. He had been waiting for them, anxiety etched across his face. As soon as the pair crossed the threshold, his pent-up frustration erupted.

"HOW CAN YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE THERE?" Eugene’s voice cracked with anger, his eyes flashing as he stepped toward Minji, fury pulsing in his every word. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, the muscles taut with rage.

Minji, her face flushed with the aftershocks of her own fear, stood frozen for a moment. She hadn’t expected this outburst, but the truth was she was too rattled to care. The guilt from her decision hung over her like a storm cloud, and Eugene’s shouting only made it worse.

"Don't yell at me!" she snapped, her voice rising in frustration. "If you're so worried, go save them yourself!" Her eyes burned with defiance, but the underlying shame was undeniable. Minji had done what she thought was necessary for her survival, and now the reality of that choice was sinking in. It gnawed at her, but she couldn’t admit it.

Eugene’s face contorted in disbelief. "MINJI! STOP BEING SO DIFFICULT! ACCEPT WHAT YOU DID!" His words were like a slap, stinging and sharp, but he couldn’t hold back the anger any longer. It was as if a dam had broken, and every word felt like an accusation.

Minji flinched, but she stood her ground. "WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO? I MESSED UP! THE SOUND WAS TOO LOUD! I DIDN’T WANT TO DIE!" Her voice trembled with a mixture of frustration and fear. She was trying to justify herself, but it felt hollow. In truth, she was too terrified to face what she had done.

"DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN KILL SOMEONE ELSE!" Eugene’s voice rose again, but this time, his anger wasn’t just about the situation—it was about her choice, about the people they had left behind.

"I didn’t kill anyone, Eugene. Mind your words." Minji’s voice was cold now, a stark contrast to the warmth that once inhabited her demeanor. It was a defense mechanism, a way to shield herself from the truth.

"You left them there to die. How can three school students possibly fend off a number of those things all by themselves?!" Eugene’s chest heaved with emotion, the weight of his words pressing down on him. It was a question that had been plaguing him ever since Minji had made the decision to leave. How could she just leave them behind? How could she choose her own life over theirs?

Minji’s eyes darkened, and a bitter laugh escaped her lips, but it lacked humor. "Why, haven’t they done it before?" she shot back, her tone harsh and defensive. It was an attempt to convince herself as much as Eugene. She had watched them survive before, hadn’t she? Maybe, just maybe, they could do it again.

Eugene shook his head vehemently, his jaw tightening. "It’s different now—" He didn’t have the words to explain it, but the desperation in his eyes spoke volumes. He knew how things had changed. This was no longer a fight for survival—it was a battle with no clear outcome, no guarantee of safety. The numbers, the monsters, the odds were overwhelming. It wasn’t like before. It couldn’t be.

Minji took a deep breath, the weight of his words sinking in. "I don’t care. I didn’t want to die!" Her eyes burned with an intensity born from raw emotion. Survival was all that mattered in that moment, and no one could understand how it felt to be faced with that choice except for her.

Eugene’s frustration only deepened. He wanted to reach her, to make her understand the gravity of what she had done, but every time he tried, she recoiled, pushing him further away. "Minji—"

Before Eugene could finish, a hand landed gently on his raised fist, stopping him in his tracks. The sudden touch made him pause, his chest heaving as he looked toward the source. Yon stood beside him, her expression unreadable but firm.

"Don’t stoop down to her level," Yon said, her voice steady and unwavering. The glare she directed at Minji was sharp, but it wasn’t full of anger—it was more a reminder. A reminder that they had to remain calm, even when the world around them was anything but. Minji rolled her eyes, not backing down, but the intensity in Yon’s voice had a way of quieting the storm.

The room fell into an uneasy silence. The air was thick with tension, and no one knew exactly what to say next. It was as if everyone was waiting for something—or someone—to break the silence, to change the course of what was happening.

Finally, Yon spoke, her voice low but resolute. "Do you want to go save them?" she asked Eugene, her gaze locking onto him. The question hung in the air, and for a moment, it was the only thing that mattered.

Eugene didn’t hesitate. His response was immediate, the urgency in his voice clear. "Yes."

Without another word, Yon nodded. The decision had been made. And now, all that was left was to act.