Through Seoul

Chapter 3 : Blood tears

After the deafening gunshot, Eli raced down the stairs, heart pounding. What he saw left him speechless: Tae-Woo had just shot a teenager. But not just any teenager… Eli felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Min-Ji, terrified, ran down from the upper floor where the shot had echoed. She froze when she saw the body on the ground.

Eli: Tae-Woo… why did you shoot him?!

Tae-Woo (visibly shaken): I’m sorry… I fell asleep. I heard noise, like someone breaking in… I panicked. I didn’t even have time to think.

Eli: I…

Suddenly, they heard a faint, rasping breath.

All three survivors turned to look at the boy on the ground. Min-Ji shouted:

Min-Ji: He’s alive! We have to help him, now!

Eli and Tae-Woo gently lifted the boy onto the large living room table. Eli, stressed and panicking, exclaimed:

Eli: Damn it, what do we do now? I have no idea how to treat this…

Min-Ji: Please… we can’t let him die.

Tae-Woo: I think he’ll make it. I didn’t hit any vital organs. I’ll try something… but I’d recommend you don’t watch.

Eli: Yeah… I get it. Come on, Min-Ji. Let’s wait upstairs.

Upstairs in the bedroom, Min-Ji lay down in silence. Eli watched her, worried. She finally whispered:

Min-Ji: Do you think he’ll make it?

Eli: Probably. Tae-Woo said he didn’t hit anything vital.

Min-Ji: Hmm… But… do you know him? You looked shocked earlier, like you’d seen him before.

Eli (hesitating): Yeah, I did. I just remembered… He was at my school. The very first day, he was hanging out with a girl and another guy. He was nice to me… before all this happened.

Min-Ji: I’m sure we’ll make it through. We just need to reach Chuncheon and find our foster parents. But… don’t you think it’s weird? A survivor camp set up so fast… The outbreak didn’t even start 24 hours ago.

Eli was about to respond when Tae-Woo called them from downstairs. They went down, anxious to see how the boy was doing.

Min-Ji: Well? Is he okay?

Tae-Woo: Yeah, he got lucky. Look, he’s waking up…

The boy slowly opened his eyes. He stared at the three of them, then winced:

???: Ouch… you guys really messed me up… I was just looking for some food for me and my two friends. It’s hell out there. But you’ve got a pretty solid hiding spot here—quiet and all.

Tae-Woo: I’m really sorry. I feel awful…

???: Don’t worry, sir. I’ve seen worse in my life… Hey, you—weren’t you at the school? Damn, you’re still alive…

Eli (slightly smiling): I knew it was you… Glad you’re okay. And… the other two? Where are they?

???: Still alive. Like I said, I was just out looking for food. You’re headed to that Chuncheon camp too, right?

Eli: Yeah… but we don’t have a plan yet.

Min-Ji: Hold on… something doesn’t add up. How could a survivor camp be organized in just a few hours?

Tae-Woo: She’s right. It’s fishy.

???: There are rumors… Some say the virus was detected months ago. Maybe they decided to keep it quiet… Oh, by the way, my name’s Jae-Hyun.

Eli: I’m Eli, and this is my sister, Min-Ji.

Tae-Woo: And I’m Tae-Woo. Nice to meet you.

Jae-Hyun: Hey… how about we team up? With my two friends too. We could survive together, watch each other’s backs. What do you think?

The three nodded in agreement.

Eli: But surviving like this… it won’t be easy. If you got in here, others could too. Infected… or worse.

Min-Ji: You mean we need to move?

Eli: First, we need a plan to reach Chuncheon. But we’ve got Tae-Woo’s car… that could help .

Jae-Hyun: A car? Perfect. But first, we need to find my friends. We managed to grab some weapons… Most of the soldiers were eaten. We took their guns.

Eli: Alright, I’m in.

Min-Ji: Me too.

Tae-Woo: I’m on board.

Eli: Before we leave, we need to gear up. Tae-Woo has a gun. I’ve got a knife. Here, Jae-Hyun, take this.

He handed him a knife.

Min-Ji: What about me? I want to help too!

Eli: No way, Min-Ji.

Min-Ji: But I know how to use one!

Eli: No. You’re not ready.

She lowered her gaze, hurt. Eli gently placed a hand on her cheek.

Eli: You’re all I have left. I can’t lose you…

Min-Ji nodded silently, calmed.

Eli: You stay behind us, okay?

She agreed.

Jae-Hyun: Alright, let’s move. To the car!

They slipped outside quietly. Cold sweat ran down their faces. Their hands trembled. But their resolve was stronger than fear.

They reached the car.

Jae-Hyun: Alright, let’s get moving!

Tae-Woo: s**t… We’re out of gas.

Eli: Seriously?! Not now!

Min-Ji: Eli… look behind you…

They turned. A horde of infected was closing in—starving, furious.

Eli: Run! Now!

He grabbed Min-Ji’s hand and sprinted. Tae-Woo fired while running. They managed to take shelter inside a building.

Eli (panting): That was way too close… Min-Ji, are you okay?

Min-Ji (exhausted): Yeah… I’m fine.

Jae-Hyun: How are we supposed to find my friends now?!

Tae-Woo: We have to—

He didn’t get to finish. An infected burst in and sank its teeth into him.

Min-Ji: NOOO! TAE-WOO!!!

Jae-Hyun froze in shock. Eli fought back and stabbed the creature.

Eli: Tae-Woo! Tell me you’re okay!

Min-Ji (sobbing): Tae-Woo, please…

A chilling silence fell.

Jae-Hyun: s**t… he’s infected.

Tae-Woo (weakly): That’s… too bad… Sorry I couldn’t go all the way with you guys…

Eli: Tae-Woo…

Tae-Woo: Take… my gun… You’ll need it…

Eli took the weapon. Tae-Woo passed out.

Min-Ji sobbed uncontrollably. Eli and Jae-Hyun shook him.

Eli & Jae-Hyun: Tae-Woo! TAE-WOO!

…

Three years earlier...

Ha-Rin: Daddy! Tomorrow’s my birthday! I’m so excited! You’ll celebrate with me and Mom, right?

Tae-Woo: Of course, sweetheart. I’ll leave work early just for your birthday.

Ha-Rin: Yay, I can’t wait!… Okay, I think I’m getting sleepy. Goodnight, Daddy.

Tae-Woo: Goodnight, Ha-Rin.

He turned off her light, kissed her forehead, and left her room.

He walked into his bedroom.

Tae-Woo: Seo-Yeon, are you awake?

Seo-Yeon: I am, honey. I was thinking about Ha-Rin’s birthday. I’ll pick her up from school tomorrow, and I’ll let you handle the party prep, okay?

Tae-Woo: Yeah, I was planning to leave work early, so… yeah. She’s growing up so fast. Eight years old already.

Seo-Yeon (sleepily): Time flies… we have to cherish every moment.

Tae-Woo: Goodnight, love.

The next day.

Tae-Woo worked as usual.

After his shift, he asked a coworker:

Tae-Woo: Hey, do you know what kids like these days? For gifts and stuff?

Coworker: Uh… yeah, I think so. The new Nintendo console just came out… the Nintendo Switch, I think.

Tae-Woo: Got it, thanks.

He left work and bought the console as a birthday gift for his daughter.

He called his wife. No answer.

After the ride home, he decorated the house and waited patiently.

Two hours passed.

Three hours.

Nothing.

No one.

Worried sick, he kept calling. Still no response.

Panic took over.

Then his wife’s sister called him:

Sister-in-law: Hey Tae… I’m so sorry… they’re both gone. They died in a car crash…

Tae-Woo dropped the phone and collapsed, sobbing for hours.

His wife and daughter were gone… forever.

From that day on, he was no longer the same man.

He fell into depression for two years.

Three years later...

Eli & Jae-Hyun: Tae-Woo! Wake up, please!

No answer.

Tae-Woo began to cry.

But not human tears.

Blood.

Blood streamed down his face like rivers.

Eli and Jae-Hyun stepped back in horror.

Min-Ji (sobbing): Tae-Woo! Eli, what’s happening?!

Tae-Woo opened his eyes and glared at them with terrifying rage.

He lunged at them like a beast.

Min-Ji and Jae-Hyun screamed in panic.

But Eli shot him in the head just seconds before disaster struck.

Blood splattered across Eli’s face… and a tear rolled down his cheek.

…

Min-Ji: Tae-Woo! No! She began crying.

Jae-Hyun was speechless.

Eli, still frozen, slowly returned to reality. He rushed over to Min-Ji and held her.

Eli: Min-Ji… He’s gone. It’s over…

Min-Ji (crying, almost out of breath): No… It can’t be… I’m scared, Eli… I don’t want us to be next… I’m sick of all this…

Eli: Don’t worry. We won’t be next… I’ll protect you. To the very end…

But for now, we have to move forward. We need to find Jae-Hyun’s friends.

Jae-Hyun: Yeah… We need to go. The sun’s starting to rise.

Eli took Min-Ji’s hand and helped her up.

Eli: Let’s go. I’ll catch up in a second.

Min-Ji and Jae-Hyun left the building.

Eli gave one last look at Tae-Woo’s lifeless body and whispered:

Eli: Thank you for everything, Tae-Woo… Goodbye.

He walked away.

The three survivors were now outside.

Jae-Hyun: We need to watch out for that horde from earlier… but looks like they’ve moved on. Coast is clear for now. Let’s go—my friends aren’t far.

Eli: Where are they hiding?

Jae-Hyun: You’ll see.

Eli (with a wary tone): Alright. Let’s go, Min-Ji.

He held her hand and walked forward.

They stared at their city, now in ruins. The Seoul they once knew was gone.

Jae-Hyun: Here we are.

Min-Ji: A hotel? Wow. Nice pick for a hideout…

Jae-Hyun: Shhh. We need to stay quiet.

Eli: Min-Ji, stay in front of me.

Jae-Hyun: Sorry, I know it looks weird, but this really is our place.

Eli: Alright. Go ahead, we’re right behind you.

They entered the hotel and advanced through the halls.

Suddenly, Jae-Hyun lit up and shouted:

Jae-Hyun: Heyyy! You’re here!

Girl: Oh my God, Jae-Hyun! You scared us—we thought you were dead! She hugged him tightly.

Eli and Min-Ji stood nearby, watching.

Girl: Oh wait, you’re that guy from school? You survived!… Ew, you’re covered in blood. You should shower—there’s still running water! Gotta stay clean, even while the world’s falling apart! Oh—and who’s this girl with you?

Eli: Um… thanks. And this is my sister, Min-Ji.

Min-Ji: Hi! Nice to meet you! I love your hair!

Girl: Aw, thanks! Want to hang out with me while your brother freshens up?

Eli: Yeah, go ahead, Min-Ji. I’ll catch up soon.

Min-Ji and the girl left.

Jae-Hyun: Go shower. Meet us in the main hall when you’re done.

Eli: Got it.

He walked into a hotel room and entered the bathroom.

He began taking off his clothes, then paused to stare at his reflection in the mirror…

10 years earlier.

To be continued.