Chapter 4 - The Only Safe Place
277 Words
They rushed into the apartment meeting room and closed the door behind them.
Kang Min-jae and the student dragged a heavy table in front of the entrance. Others pushed chairs against it until the handle could not move anymore.
Only then did they stop.
Everyone was breathing hard.
The room looked like a normal residents’ hall. Sofas stood near the wall. A water dispenser and small counter were in the corner. A notice board still showed apartment announcements, as if nothing outside had changed.
But inside, fear filled the air.
The mother sat down and hugged her daughter tightly. The old woman rested against the sofa. The delivery driver leaned back, exhausted.
No one spoke at first.
Finally the middle-aged man asked what was happening and why people became like that.
Slowly, all eyes turned to Kang Min-jae.
He stayed near the door and said quietly that anyone bitten would change quickly. It was happening everywhere.
Silence followed.
They began to talk about leaving.
The rooftop was dangerous because the helicopter noise pulled them upward. The stairs were full. The elevators were dead.
They were trapped.
Hana looked around the room. There was nothing except water.
Her voice trembled as she pointed out they had no food. There was a small child and an old woman with them. They could not stay long without eating.
The little girl leaned against her mother, weak and quiet.
No one had an answer.
Waiting was not safe. Moving was worse.
For now, they were only hiding.
Just then—
A heavy thud struck the door.
Everyone froze.
Another hit came, stronger.
The barricade shook slightly.
Something outside had found them.
- Writer
