ECHOES OF TERROR: A CRY FOR HELP

The past [2 years back - 2024]
Day 17 since the group came together
Seoul, South Korea

Jeha’s eyes fluttered open at the low snarling sounds outside. His body stiffened, instincts kicking in immediately. The morning light barely crept through the curtains, yet the undead were already active. He turned his head slightly, careful not to disturb Kaneisyeon, who lay bundled beside him on the bed. Slowly, he shifted, crawling forward on the mattress and peering out of the small window, his chest pressed against the bed, arms propping him up.

What he saw made his stomach churn. Zombies shuffled along the street below, their decaying forms casting grotesque shadows in the early sunlight. Jeha clenched his jaw as one of them twisted its head unnaturally, sniffing the air. They’re moving earlier than usual... evolving faster than we expected, he thought grimly. His throat felt dry as he whispered, “Seems like they’re evolving too quickly.”

He dropped his head to the bed, releasing a shaky breath. A few minutes passed, the snarling fading slightly in the distance, before Jeha forced himself up with a soft grunt. He stretched, rubbing the tension from his neck, and turned to glance at Kaneisyeon. She was still sleeping, her tiny chest rising and falling steadily.

“I need to get you something to eat,” he murmured, his voice low but resolute. The baby had been feeding every two to three hours, and he knew she’d stir soon, searching for nourishment. Jeha’s lips pressed into a thin line. The apocalypse didn’t leave room for errors—he had to keep her fed and healthy.

Gently hopping off the bed, Jeha jogged down the corridor toward the kitchen, his bare feet padding softly against the wooden floor. The house was eerily quiet except for the faint groans of the undead outside. When he reached the kitchen, he exhaled in relief. It was still intact, untouched by the horrors plaguing the world.

The fridge hummed faintly, a rare luxury in these times. Jeha opened it cautiously and scanned its contents. A milk carton sat on the top shelf, miraculously unspoiled. He also found a few fruits in a basket tucked into the corner. “Milk and mashed fruits,” he muttered to himself, grabbing the items. “It’s not perfect, but it’ll have to do.”

He quickly set to work. Pouring some milk into a small bottle, he placed it in a pot of warm water on the stove. While the milk warmed, he peeled and mashed the fruits with careful precision, his mind racing. What if this isn’t enough? What if I can’t find more milk later? The thought of Kaneisyeon going hungry gnawed at him, but he shook it off.

With the bottle warmed and fruits prepared, Jeha hurried back to the room. Kaneisyeon was beginning to stir, her small fists waving weakly in the air. He could see the early hunger cues—her head turning slightly as though searching, tiny lips parting in soft smacks. Jeha approached swiftly, setting the food on the end table before lifting her into his arms.

“Hush, Kaneisyeon. I’ve got you,” he whispered, cradling her close. But her soft murmurs quickly turned into cries, her face scrunching up as tears rolled down her cheeks. Jeha’s heart clenched. “Alright, alright. I know you’re hungry,” he soothed, patting her tiny back gently.

He grabbed the bottle, testing the warmth against his cheek. Satisfied, he adjusted Kaneisyeon in his arms, angling her head properly. “I know this isn’t what you’re used to,” he said softly, his voice tinged with guilt. “But it’s the best I can do right now.”

At first, she refused, turning her head away and letting out louder cries. Jeha’s brows furrowed in concern. “Come on, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice trembling slightly. He shifted her slightly, holding her close enough that she could feel his warmth and see his face.

Finally, she latched onto the bottle. Relief washed over Jeha as he watched her drink, her tiny body relaxing in his arms. “There we go. That’s my girl,” he whispered with a small smile.

As she finished the milk, Jeha leaned back slightly, letting out a long sigh. The bottle was nearly empty—a lucky find, but one that wouldn’t last forever. He gently wiped her mouth with a cloth and kissed her forehead.

He placed the mashed fruits aside with a frustrated sigh. “I forgot,” he muttered. “You’re too young for solids. Milk’s all you can handle for now.” His mind raced. How long can I keep this up? Every 2-3 hours... I barely sleep as it is.

Kaneisyeon yawned, her tiny hand curling around Jeha’s finger. He stared at her, determination hardening his features. “No matter what, I’ll find a way to keep you safe. Even if I have to search every corner of this godforsaken world.”

As the baby settled back into a peaceful slumber, Jeha leaned his head against the headboard, his eyes scanning the ceiling. The snarls outside had grown faint, but he knew they would never truly stop. Rest while you can, he told himself. You’ll need your strength for her.

***

The present
Year 2024
On the streets of Seoul, South Korea

Jeha knelt before In-Ha, his hands trembling as he struggled to recount the terrifying events that had led him to this moment. His eyes were red from holding back his tears and guilt, his voice strained with exhaustion and guilt. The air around them was thick with the tension of a world that had fallen apart, yet the pain in Jeha’s voice echoed with the haunting weight of what he had been through.

"In-Ha," Jeha started, his voice cracking as he spoke, "it was so sudden. I couldn’t even prepare myself. I didn’t know what to do... what to think." He paused, his gaze turning distant, as though seeing it all play out in his mind again. "Kaneisyeon had just fallen asleep in my arms, and I was sitting there, trying to keep quiet, listening for anything that could give us a clue. But then, a sudden noise from outside—like a crash—came from the other side of the broken gates."

Jeha exhaled deeply, recalling the terror that followed. "It startled me so much that it woke Kaneisyeon up too. And as soon as she stirred, she started crying again... loudly. I tried everything I could think of to calm her down. I hushed her, rocked her, but it wasn’t enough. The poor child was terrified. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, the zombies—those... things—they heard her cries."

His breath hitched, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears as he spoke the words, his fists clenching at his sides. "They started banging their heads on the already broken gates. I could hear them getting closer, I could hear them slamming into the door. I knew they were coming. The house couldn’t hold much longer. I didn’t even have any of your numbers to call for help—I was completely alone. Completely helpless."

In-Ha’s eyes were narrow, her face locked in anger as she stared at Jeha, her grip on the boy's gown tight, the fabric tugged harshly in her fists. She said nothing, but the fury in her expression spoke volumes. Her voice was like ice when she finally broke the silence. "And what did you do?"

Jeha winced, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I panicked. I didn’t know what else to do. I thought the only chance Kaneisyeon had was if I could get her away from the zombies. So I tried to make her stop crying... somehow. But the more I tried, the worse it got. I had to think fast, but nothing was coming to mind."

Jeha’s voice faltered as he paused to recollect himself, his memories flooding back, fresh and painful. "And then, through the window, I saw a stranger—" He stopped, swallowed hard, his mind replaying the scene like a broken record. "She was in the house across from mine. I don’t know why, but when I saw her, it was like I finally saw a lifeline. She had weapons, and I noticed she was a woman... but what struck me most was her eyes. She was calm. And then I thought maybe... maybe she could help."

Jeha’s words tumbled out in a rush as he remembered the desperation in his voice. "I shouted, loudly—hoping she could hear me. 'I have a baby with me! Please, take care of her! I'll come back for her, I promise! Please!' I thought she’d ignore me, I really did. But then she looked at me, glanced over at the zombies near my house, and nodded. Then she picked up her gun and started shooting them down. As she did, I knew I had to move fast. I opened the front door, ready to face whatever came next."

The sound of Jeha’s voice trembled as he spoke of the woman’s kindness. "She was standing there in the doorway, holding a bag of supplies. And there were two kids with her—probably seven or eight at most. I’m sure they were hers. Maybe that’s why she helped me... maybe she saw her kids in Kaneisyeon. I don’t know... but I’ll never forget the way she nodded at me, how she seemed to understand the gravity of it all."

Jeha’s breath hitched, and for a moment, it seemed like the weight of the world was pressing down on him. "I told her... I told her to hide in the basement floor of the house. It was the safest place I could think of. The basement had soundproof walls, and I thought if the zombies came, at least they wouldn’t hear them. I asked her to take Kaneisyeon—just keep her safe until I could find a way to contact any of you. Anyone. I just had to make sure Kaneisyeon would be okay. She agreed... and took your baby into her arms."

Jeha smiled weakly at the memory, his voice softer now. "She smiled at Kaneisyeon, held her close, and nodded at me. I can’t even explain how relieved I felt. It was the first time in hours I felt like we might survive this. I left her with the kids, and I headed out to find supplies."

He lowered his gaze, his expression clouding with a mixture of guilt and regret. "I took her gun with me, hoping I could find something to keep us alive. I went to a store... but before I could reach it, something hit me from behind. It was like a hard strike, and then everything went black. After that... I don’t remember much. The next thing I knew, I woke up here with all of you."

Jeha’s voice faltered as the floodgates of his emotions opened. The tears that had been threatening to fall finally spilled over. "I couldn’t protect her. I couldn’t protect Kaneisyeon... I let her down."

In-Ha’s anger softened in an instant. Without a word, she slapped Jeha across the cheek, the sting sharp, but not cruel. Then, without hesitation, she pulled Jeha into a tight hug. The boy’s sobs filled the air, raw and unfiltered, as the reality of the situation overwhelmed him. In-Ha held him, her hands firm but gentle on Jeha’s back, offering what little comfort she could.

Hailey opened her mouth to speak, her voice sharp. "If you cry so loudly—" But Zera, ever the calm one, placed a hand on Hailey’s shoulder, holding her back.

"Let him be," Zera said, her voice quiet but firm. "He tried his best. He did his best."

The words seemed to hang in the air, the weight of the situation sinking in. No one could fault Jeha for his efforts—he had done everything he could in the face of unspeakable terror. And sometimes, that was all anyone could do.