Through Seoul

Chapter 7 (Finale): The Boat

After the tragedy that occurred in the quarantine zone...

The group drives away...

Behind them, the quarantine zone collapses, and flames spread violently through the ruins.

The silence inside the pickup truck is suffocating.

Dong-ha, pale and weakened, looks at Na-ra.

Dong-ha (weakly):

Hey... Na-ra...

(He pulls her into a soft embrace.)

Na-ra hugs him tightly and breaks down into tears.

Na-ra (sobbing):

I'm so sorry, Dong-ha... I couldn't save Jae-hyun...

He... he sacrificed himself to save me...

Dong-ha (fading):

Na-ra... you don't need to apologize...

It's not your fault...

All that matters now is that you, Eli, and Min-ji make it to Chuncheon.

It's your only hope...

Eli, visibly anxious, watches Dong-ha through the rearview mirror.

Na-ra:

What are you talking about? You're coming with us to Chuncheon too!

Dong-ha (barely hanging on):

Na-ra... I've lost too much blood...

It's time for me to go... I'm sorry...

I love you, Na-ra...

Na-ra:

No, Dong-ha! Please stay with me!

Dong-ha:

...

Na-ra (crying out):

Dong-ha! ELI! HELP ME!

(She collapses in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.)

Eli comes over and holds Na-ra in his arms, trying to comfort her.

Min-ji silently watches, tears streaming down her cheeks, unable to speak.

Eli carries Dong-ha's lifeless body and buries him.

The three of them stand in front of the grave one last time.

Na-ra is still crying.

Min-ji holds Eli's hand tightly.

Eli:

Goodbye, Dong-ha...

We'll never forget you...

Eli and Min-ji begin to walk away.

Na-ra remains behind... silent tears still falling down her cheeks.

Min-ji:

Na-ra... aren't you coming?

Na-ra walks over to her slowly and says:

Na-ra:

Min-ji... stay close to your brother, okay?

Take good care of each other... promise me...

Eli:

What are you saying, Na-ra? You're not coming with us?

Na-ra stands up, lifts her sleeve... and reveals a bite mark.

Min-ji gasps in shock.

Eli:

No... How...? When...?

Na-ra (softly):

It's a shame, isn't it?

(She steps closer to Eli and Min-ji.)

Na-ra:

Listen to me - you have to reach Chuncheon. You both have to.

Eli:

Na-ra... no...

Na-ra (interrupting):

No, Eli. You have to go.

Min-ji (quietly):

Na-ra...

Na-ra hugs her tightly.

Na-ra:

Take care of yourself, my sweet Min-ji...

Min-ji starts crying.

Suddenly, Na-ra collapses, overwhelmed by her infection.

Eli grabs Min-ji and pulls her away as she cries out in agony, screaming Na-ra's name.

They get in the pickup truck and drive off...

The vehicle disappears into the fog.

Inside the truck, silence fills the air once again.

Eli:

Min-ji... are you okay?

Min-ji stays silent.

Eli:

I know this is hard... It is for me too. Believe me...

Min-ji (bursting out):

I'm tired of this! I'm scared! Everyone's dead and we could be next!

And what about those scars?! What are you hiding from me?!

Eli:

No, Min-ji. We won't be next. I promise...

Min-ji:

Then tell me about the scars!

Eli stays silent.

The silence takes over again.

Fifteen minutes pass. The truck rolls to a stop.

Eli:

Damn... out of gas.

Come on, Min-ji. We have to go on foot. There are motorboats nearby.

That's a good sign.

Min-ji climbs out slowly, wordless, and walks up beside Eli.

Min-ji (softly):

Eli... will you stay with me?

Eli looks her in the eyes and gently runs a hand through her hair.

Eli:

Come on. We have to go.

They head into the fog-shrouded forest.

A shadowy figure begins to follow them from behind.

Eli gives his hoodie to Min-ji to keep her warm.

They keep walking until suddenly-

Min-ji:

Did you hear that...?

Eli:

Whatever it is, we need to keep going. We're almost there...

A few more minutes pass.

They arrive at the riverbank.

Eli (relieved):

Oh my god - there's still a motorboat!

Quick, Min-ji! Let's go!

Suddenly, a mysterious voice shouts:

???:

Hands in the air!

Eli and Min-ji freeze, too scared to move.

???:

Turn around. Slowly!

NOW!

Eli:

Min-ji... just turn around...

Min-ji:

Eli... I'm scared...

They turn. They hold hands tightly.

Eli's pupils widen in shock.

???:

You remember me, don't you?

Eli (thinking):

It's the woman who was being chased...

The last time we were with Tae-woo, before he died...

Eli:

Please... we're sorry. Just let us go!

Min-ji:

Please don't hurt us... You can come with us to Chuncheon!

The woman (coldly):

I don't want to come with you.

Eli:

We're sorry we couldn't help you back then. It was impossible...

The woman (furious, raising the gun):

Impossible?! It was pure selfishness!

You could've helped me!

But you ran!

This world is full of people like you - selfish cowards!

It's already collapsing!

We're all going to die here anyway...!

Min-ji looks at Eli, trembling with fear.

Eli:

Are you infected?

Before she can answer, the woman begins crying blood.

She screams, voice distorted by rage:

The woman (possessed):

I'LL KILL YOU!!

She lunges at Min-ji.

Eli throws himself at her, punching her repeatedly in desperation.

Min-ji is paralyzed by fear.

But then Eli cries out in pain - she's bitten him.

He grabs her weapon and, just before she rises again, he pulls the trigger and kills her.

He walks back to Min-ji, breathing heavily.

Eli:

It's over... Listen to me...

You have to get to Chuncheon...

You'll make it by boat... Here...

(He pulls out a folded letter from his pocket and hands it to her.)

Eli:

Take this... Read it when you turn 18, okay?

Promise me... take care of yours-

Min-ji (screaming, crying):

NO, ELI! PLEASE DON'T GO!

Don't leave me alone!

(She grabs him and holds on tightly.)

Please... I don't want to be alone...!

Eli starts to cry - tears that turn into blood.

Eli (whispering):

Min-ji... let me go...

(He pushes her away, takes the infected woman's weapon, and walks off.)

Min-ji (screaming):

ELI!

(She runs after him.)

Eli turns back one last time, a soft, sorrowful smile on his face...

Then he pulls the trigger.

Min-ji collapses, catching his body.

She screams and cries until no tears are left.

With no choice, she boards the boat, still in tears...

The boat disappears slowly into the mist.

---

8 Years Later - Seoul

Min-ji enters the ruins of her old adoptive home.

Everything is in pieces.

She walks upstairs, sits down, and pulls out the letter Eli gave her.

Min-ji (softly):

Eli... I'm 18 today.

I kept my promise...

She opens the letter and begins to read.

---

Dear Min-ji,

If you're reading this, I'm probably gone.

I wrote this in case everything fell apart.

I never had the chance to tell you the truth myself...

And you were still so young.

You always asked about Dad.

I never told you because... he was a terrible person.

He beat me for years - that's where my scars come from.

And... he's the one who took Mom's life.

I never wanted to tell you.

Mom's last wish was for me to protect you, no matter what.

I hope I did that right.

I made sure to erase him from your life - for your sake.

I know this must be a lot to process...

You never have to forgive me.

But whatever happens from now on, please remember:

I will always love you.

-Eli

Min-ji breaks down in tears.

Min-ji (sobbing):

...So that's what it was...

Eli... I needed you so much these last 8 years...

And nothing can describe how much I miss you...

I kept my promise.

I'm 18 now...

While your 16 forever.

But I've learned a lot of things these past years you know..

Your sacrifice - and theirs - wasn't for nothing, my dear brother... I will never forget you.

(She wipes her tears, then watches the sunrise with a quiet, bittersweet smile.)

She takes off the hoodie Eli gave her and lays it gently beside the letter in the house.

Suddenly, someone shouts from outside.

???:

Min-ji! You have to come see this!

Min-ji (calling back):

I'm coming!

(She takes one last look behind her.)

Min-ji (softly):

Goodbye forever, Eli.

The End.