“It’s me. Me. Don’t you know me? How the fuck do you not know me?”

“Gosh, you are so full of yourself,”

Gwi-nam tilts his head as he looks at Suhyeon who just recently talked, “I must say, I am impressed. It has been a while since I get to see you eye to eye and in close proximity and yet to still recognise me.” He added, maniacally smirking.

Suhyeon’s breathing hitches, “How could I forget—”

“Do you want it to really happen? Is that why you can’t forget?”

“You’re that son of a bitch who shoved me off the stairs just because your ugly arse got rejected, how could I forget?”

With the death stares Suhyeon instantly earned from the man, Gwi-nam moving both his fists and feet made Cheongsan frightened. He thought highly of his friend’s boldness but he is also anxious about Gwi-nam retaliating because blood will definitely spill.

So of course, Cheongsan is appalled.

Obviously not for himself but Suhyeon, his friends, and On-jo.

Everyone is mindful that if any of them gets hurt badly by Gwi-nam, the others will revolt back until their demise (which hopefully would not happen). Suhyeok has once testified that after endeavouring his best to beat up Gwi-nam earlier that night. Although his motivation is completely reasonable since he is blood-related to Suhyeon, so he wonders what would Hyunjae and Wujin would do if the bully would attack Suhyeon again.

One thing is for certain, they will be beaten up by him because unlike before, Gwi-nam has this sort of super strength that even their best fighters like Suhyeok and Hyunjae do not stand a chance towards him.

And the only one who can possibly defeat Gwi-nam is Namra.

The class president might have a few bruises on her body, but Cheongsan doubts that Namra would let the only person who was incredibly persistent and became her new mate get hurt. Because even though Suhyeon did get to the point she gave up, in small elements, she was still making an effort.

Like for instance, including Namra in their group discussions at school, and in their classroom. Subtly conversing with Namra about their lessons consulting for help even if she understood the lesson.

Suhyeon is one of the best students in the class, for goodness’ sake.

While at the same time, Namra wasn’t dumb enough not to notice that the youngest of the Lee twins are only pretending it.

“I know you.”

Suhyeon showed no emotion, especially not fear. She cannot let Gwi-nam think he is still able to have an effect on her-although he still kind of has. She just stood there, watching the man who once wronged her, unaware of the shift Namra is going through and only paying attention to Cheongsan.

“I said it again and again. You were the bullies’ gopher,” Cheongsan dauntlessly replies before flinching backwards along with Wujin and Daesu as Gwi-nam is about to throw another punch at him.

The one-eyed man puts up his index finger as he says, “Call me that again and you’re dead.” Said Gwi-nam as he made another threat.

“You were never a thug or a good student. And now, you’re not a zombie or a human. Then and now...” Cheongsan was silent for a second as he gritted his teeth, glaring directly into Gwi-nam’s eye. “You’re nothing.”

The youngest of the Lee twins arched an eyebrow not knowing what was the motive for aggravating the man even more.

“I’m not going to just kill you,” Gwi-nam asserted as he bounces his head lightly, “I’ll gouge out both of your eyes and throw you to the zombies. Yes.” He then peeks around as he enunciates.

“Everyone but Cheongsan, run away. Unless you want to die with him.” He added and also sauntering to where Cheongsan were standing and rather than bolting as they were told, Cheongsan’s friends were there, ready to defend him and themselves.

“You’re all dead.”

Then, Gwi-nam plummets on Cheongsan and were struggled to get off him with the help of the others. But it was no use, even if there is already five of them doing it.

Gwi-nam is still dominating.

Then, Joonyeong was pushed to the ground, resulting in his glasses to dashed out of his face its lens broken, while Jimin was also hurled away from them as she attempts to help. Wujin was ripped off by the gopher up in the air only to be hurled by Gwi-nam in Daesu’s direction.

The fight became a two versus one when Suhyeok engaged in their fight after regaining his strength from the pain he obtained from Gwi-nam ahead.

Worrying is an understatement for Suhyeon. Her distress jumped too high when Hyunjae joined in the fight. And rather than being on the winning side, it was the contrary that is going on right now.

As predicted.

The three of their friend group’s best fighters couldn’t win against the opponent although a few months back, Suhyeok was sufficiently enough for the likes of Gwi-nam.

Every punches and kick from Suhyeok and Hyunjae is not working even if they managed to sever a bone, it somehow does not bring pain or just a wince to the gopher.

Just in, before Gwi-nam could punch Suhyeon’s brother like a pimp, Suhyeon caught in her eyesight the scenery of Namra picking a piece of wood with fire on it-it was obvious from their bonfire-and hit the lumber on Gwi-nam’s back.

And obviously, it has taken hold of the bully’s attention. And another fight arose.

It blathered on for a while. At that time, Suhyeon had her eyes wrapped by her hand only to peep as she cannot bear to see her friend, Namra, getting dragged and thrown into the floor.

Suhyeon was close to pinching Hyunjae, informing him to help her friend but it was no use. The man was yet again battered and full of bruises on a certain part of his body as he squatted on the floor.

Then, later on, Namra hit and tossed the bully, making him fall to the floor while Suhyeok was in amusement watching the bully get hurt.

Suhyeok came into the picture and insisted to help Namra but it almost became the opposite, lucky for him, Namra was there to save him.

Gwi-nam is gone. At least for now.

“Namra, are you alright?”

Hyunjae inquired, his hand still on the lower part of his rib attempting to get up from his seat. Hearing him silently wincing, Suhyeon assists Hyunjae then utters a ‘thank you’.

“Are you?” Namra answered back.

An arm curling on his waist, made Hyunjae flinch a little bit. “I’ll live,”

“Sure you do,”

Suhyeok and Wujin shouted in unison, his eyes fixed on his younger sister’s arm around his friend’s waist. He then delivers a teasing stare at Hyunjae, before he spoke to Namra.

Suhyeon pulled Hyunjae by his waist as she eliminated her arms around him to have a better look at his bruises by hoisting the hem of his shirt.

Taken aback by the lady’s action, Hyunjae took one step reversed then he shrieked, “Hey, Bare-su! Your sister’s harassing me!”

“As if you don’t like it,”

“Shut your filthy mouth, Wujin!”

It was five minutes later when Wujin and Daesu ceased ridiculing Hyunjae after they both were denounced by Suhyeok, discreetly.

The man’s too scared shitless with just the idea of being completely honest about his affection towards Suhyeon. And the teasing coming from Daesu and Wujin does not help but actually makes it worse, even if they are ignorant of it.

But then, Suhyeok was verbally attacked by the duo and was told that he commits the same too. It was only Cheongsan who doesn’t pick on Hyunjae. Cheongsan understood and totally gets the man as he is similarly in the same shoes.

And just today, Suhyeok has agreed to stop, he finally got the girl he has fancied for a while. Now it is time for his younger sister to have the boy.

Suhyeok will do anything beyond his power just to pair up the two.

He wasn’t really afraid of Hyunjae getting denied (in contrast to what Hyunjae was afraid of). Suhyeon is Suhyeok’s twin. She might not be able to tell him verbally, but judging by how she behaves around him and towards him, there is no need for that.

“Are you sure you’re really okay?”

Hyunjae swivels his head towards the girl sitting beside him, containing a grin on his face as he was reminisced about how Suhyeon was chastised by her brother because of her insisting to strip off Hyunjae’s upper uniform earlier.

“I’m alright. A small number of scrapes wouldn’t kill me.” Hyunjae responded, “Look at your brother, he is well. That means I am too.” He amplified.

Suhyeon’s lips twitch, “Well, you’re not stronger than he is,” She chortled while Hyunjae lets out a sluggish scoff as he peers away, while his hand moves through his dark-coloured hair.

The two continue to fool around and poke fun at each other for a couple of minutes. They really did not do vastly as they listened to their companions discussing the occurrence earlier that night. There are a few winces and grumbles that can be heard from a lot of them.

Cheongsan swore that he saw Gwi-nam get gnawed by the other zombies and yet, it does not answer their question about how he is still alive. He got jabbed back out of the window and staircase and yet, the bitch is still breathing.

Which made Wujin word out the concern no one dared to assert, “What if he climbs up here again?” He stares around his friends, his brows turned up desperate for answers.

“That asshole is bad, but to be honest, I’m scared of Namra too. You saw her fighting earlier.” Jimin addressed.

Suhyeon scoffs loudly, instead of being appreciative, that is what Jimin wanted to say. If Namra wasn’t with them, they would all be dead by now.

“It’s reasonable to assume they’re both hambies—” Daesu was halted after receiving a hit on his back from Hyoryung’s hand then he murmured, “What?”

“Will you believe me if I say I won’t?” Namra responded after being questioned by Jimin.

And with that, the two of them got into a small argument but it was later settled then Jimin apologises while Namra accepted it wholeheartedly, also with a glowering smile on her face.

Wujin, along with Hyunjae pestered and told Daesu and Hyoryung to date. Of course, the two implied their disgusted response but it was later interrupted when they listened to a noise of a helicopter.

Their hopes are up of being rescued, concurrently with their feet and their arms trying their best to capture the awareness of the individuals inside the flying vehicle.

“Sir!”

“Over here!”

“Hey!”

“Help us!”

“We’re going to live!”

“He saw us! Over here!”

The group of teenagers’ hollers and clamours were all over the place, but they all declared the same thing. They wanted help.

Just as Suhyeon were near to losing hope, the rescuers has now arrived. She was beyond happy. So full of joy that she and Hyunjae fondled each other.

Even in pain, Hyunjae hoists Suhyeon a few inches in the air then they spin around, incapable to contain their euphoria and enthusiasm. As Suhyeon’s feet got back to the surface, she clings to the man’s arm beside her with a broad gleaming smile on her face.

A few moments later, men in the ensemble descend from the helicopter with the help of a rope and their guns focus on the students’ faces bringing the group of teens to stand there in the stillness and their hands up in the air as they surrendered.

“Get down on the ground!”

They did what they were told, no questions asked. The group can defeat a whole bunch of zombies but never men with a gun.

Hyunjae gave attention to a man talking about him and his friends on his intercom while the others were scouring and inspecting the totality of the rooftop, all this while their profiles are literally on the ground.

The same individual, along with another person scanned their body temperature. Once they were all clear, the men said something about a mission and that they will all be extricated if they attained it.

“Thank God,”

Suhyeon giggled at what Hyunjae murmured. They were asked to get up from the floor and to wait for the two men before they are going to be rescued.

While waiting, Hyunjae notices that Namra looks like to be unsettled by the gunshots, which is why he gently pulled Suhyeon closer to Suhyeok and the class president. And did not even enunciate a word. He just traded a gaze with Suhyeon and it comes off like she already realizes since she stares at her brother and Namra a step behind them.

When the two people got back from wherever they went, the master sergeant was the first one to go up first and the students were told that they will be pulled one at a time.

It was Jimin who was told to go first, courtesy of On-jo and Wujin. The harness was put on Jimin’s body and is already being pulled up.

Suhyeon who was glancing at Jimin’s body going up, her peripheral vision captured the man in command talking to his superiors and then he exclaims, “Operation cancelled! We will take only the package and pull out!” The man yelled, his voice tinted with guilt.

And the last thing she comprehended is Jimin is going down, back to them.

“I’m sorry.”

That were the last two words they heard from the person they thought came to rescue them. Eleven pairs of eyes are still at the helicopter that is flying away.

It hasn’t even an hour passed and the overflowing joy they felt earlier changed to agony and pain. The thought of them not surviving the apocalypse lingers at the back of Suhyeon’s mind.

It was the continuous thunder that made Suhyeon out of her psyche. She was settling alone, far from the parapet wall. And when she listened to the teardrops of the rain to the ground, a tear from her eyes did too. As did the others.

Suhyeon only wished for one thing. It is for this horrendous day they have to end. She doesn’t care how, all she knows is she just wants it to end.

Tomorrow can’t be that worse, can it?

•─────⋅☾ 𝔭𝔥𝔬𝔢𝔫𝔶𝔵𝔳𝔦 ☽⋅─────•

hellooooo! it has been a while. and i keep y’all waiting for almost a month.

but here it is. i feel like this is too fast-paced. my imagination is kinda off right now, so, idk, my writing here is not my best. still, hope you like it. i still worked hard for this.

the next update might take a while since i am writing two books at the same time and having a writer’s block really sucks. so yeah.

thank you for reading!