Through Seoul

Chapter 5: Solidarity

Na Ra: Buckle up, 'cause it's gonna get bumpy!

She slams the gas pedal and speeds off.

Dong Ha (shaken):

Whoa... You weren't lying when you said you knew how to drive!

Jae Hyun:

NA RA, YOU'RE GOING TOO FAST, SLOW DOWN!

Min Ji:

WOW, this is so cool! Feels like we're on a rollercoaster!

Eli:

Min Ji, put your seatbelt on!

Na Ra:

Slow down?! This is nothing! If you ask me, we should go even faster!

Jae Hyun:

WHAT?! FASTER?!

Dong Ha:

Na Ra, watch out! Infected ahead!

Na Ra:

Don't worry, I got this!

Na Ra drives full speed into the infected and runs them over.

Eli (shocked, to Min Ji):

Min, don't look.

Na Ra:

YEAH! THAT'S BADASS!

She keeps speeding through, mowing down the infected in her path. Eventually, they make it out of the infected zone and into a quieter area.

Dong Ha:

Phew... nice job! That's what I call driving.

Na Ra:

Thanks!

You guys okay back there?

Min Ji and Eli:

Yeah!

Na Ra:

And you, Jae Hyun?

Jae Hyun (on the verge of throwing up):

Ugh... yeah... I'll be fine...

Na Ra:

Awesome!

So where to now, Dong Ha? I don't have Google Maps!

Dong Ha:

Our main goal is to get to Chuncheon.

It's our only hope.

If that camp is real, we have to reach it.

Na Ra:

But we don't have any info!

Wait, let me see if I still have a signal.

Oh my god, it's working! Guys, I've got a little reception! Quick, let's see what the media is saying!

Eli (surprised, gets up):

A livestream during the apocalypse? What the hell...

They all watch a livestream of two young men.

Livestream:

"Hey! We have to gather all survivors in Seoul to reach the camp in Chuncheon! The address is at-"

The connection cuts off.

Na Ra:

Damn it...

Dong Ha:

Try the car radio.

The radio crackles, then a voice breaks through.

Journalist:

Dear listeners... (interference) ...an outbreak is spreading rapidly in Seoul, and in other countries too. But soon... it will be the entire world.

You must stay sheltered and reach... (interference) ...stay safe!

The broadcast ends with screams.

Na Ra:

Oh my god...

What do we do now? I'm really lost here...

Dong Ha:

Yeah... me too.

But for now, we need to find a place to sleep.

We're far enough from the infected - we should be safe.

Na Ra:

Alright...

Eli (thinking):

Did the radio mention Chuncheon...?

I have to get there with Min Ji... and the others.

Min Ji:

Eli, I'm hungry!

Eli:

Here, Min Ji.

He gives her a protein bar and a bottle of water.

Jae Hyun:

Hey, I'm hungry too!

Dong Ha throws him a food bag.

Jae Hyun:

Uh... thanks.

They keep driving for another hour.

Dong Ha:

Hey Na Ra! Stop here - we'll spend the night at this motel. Looks safe enough.

Na Ra:

You're the boss.

Min Ji:

Eli... I'm sleepy...

Eli:

Don't worry, we'll rest soon.

Jae Hyun:

Tomorrow's journey will be long... the city's collapsing, and some roads are blocked.

It's gonna take forever...

Na Ra:

Stop being a buzzkill! We're all gonna survive and reach that damn camp!

But for now, we're tired, and we'd really love a good night's sleep!

Dong Ha:

She's right. Don't stress about it.

They get out of the car and head toward the motel.

Dong Ha:

Stay alert, someone might be inside...

Na Ra:

...or something...

Eli:

Min Ji, give me your hand.

She does.

They slowly make their way to a room - safe and sound.

Na Ra:

Oh my god, I'm exhausted...

That driving drained me. Don't you guys feel the same?

Jae Hyun:

Definitely...

Eli watches his sister fall asleep. He gently lays her on the bed and covers her up.

Na Ra:

Aww, that's so cute...

Eli doesn't respond. The group gathers in the living room.

Na Ra:

Ughh, I'm bored to death... can't sleep! How about we tell each other our stories? Might help us doze off?

Jae Hyun:

Yeah, great id-

(cut off by Na Ra)

Na Ra:

Awesome, I'll go first!

Okay, I grew up in a pretty normal, loving family... well, sort of.

I had a decent childhood, but... my parents didn't really care about me.

My mom always told me I talked too much or that I was annoying.

She used to say her life would be easier if I'd never been born.

I blamed myself at some point...

And my dad? He was never really there. Worked all the time. Barely spoke to me.

So yeah, that's my story. I'm always seen as the talkative girl who never shuts up.

And now, I don't even know if they're looking for me... or if they're even alive.

What about you guys?

The group looks at her, shocked.

Jae Hyun:

I'm so sorry, Na Ra...

Na Ra:

Pff, it's fine. Anyway, your turn, Dong Ha!

Dong Ha:

Well, I had a fairly normal childhood, I guess.

But I was always... different from other kids.

They thought I was too cold... or mean.

But my dad always told me I was strong, and not to listen to them.

I grew up. Not much else to say, really...

Na Ra:

And you, Jae Hyun?

Jae Hyun:

Me? Uh...

I...

Na Ra:

Eli! Tell us more about yourself. We barely know you - come on!

Na Ra and Dong Ha glance at each other, confused.

Eli:

Me...? Well... I had a really rough childhood.

I don't really wanna talk about it...

But I lost my mom. It really hit me hard.

Min Ji and I spent the rest of our lives in an orphanage.

Then an adoptive family came...

But the only thing that matters now is Min Ji.

I promised my mom I'd protect her.

That's what she would've wanted.

That's why I have to get her to that camp.

And find our adoptive parents.

Dong Ha:

Wow... that got me emotional, man.

I'm really sorry. I can't imagine what you've been through.

Na Ra:

Yeah... I get it.

What about your dad?

Eli (visibly shaken):

He's... dead.

Na Ra:

Oh...

We're really sorry, Eli.

Jae Hyun:

Yeah, seriously...

Dong Ha:

Ugh, I'm getting sleepy. I'm gonna crash.

Na Ra:

Same here!

Eli:

Alright. Good night.

The next morning, everyone wakes up.

Na Ra:

Ahh, I slept so well! You guys too?

Dong Ha:

Yeah, definitely.

Min Ji wakes up, walks up to them.

Min Ji:

Hey... have you seen my brother?

Na Ra:

Oh, he's on the balcony!

Min Ji:

Okay, thanks!

She joins him.

Min Ji:

Hi Eli... did you sleep okay?

Eli:

Yeah. You?

Min Ji:

I'm fine...

What are you doing?

Eli:

Nothing. Just watching the sunrise.

Min Ji:

Do you really think we'll make it?

Eli:

Yeah. For sure. Don't worry.

Plus, there's more of us now.

Min Ji:

You're right.

Come on, let's go. We shouldn't waste time.

Eli:

Yeah, I'm coming.

Min Ji walks back in.

Eli hides something in his pocket and follows her.

Na Ra:

Alright guys, ready to hit the road?

Everyone nods. The group leaves the motel.

The atmosphere is calm. No danger for now.

Na Ra (getting in the car):

You all ready?!

She starts the car and they drive off.

Meanwhile, a mysterious person is secretly following them.

30 minutes later...

Min Ji:

Look! What's that? Is that... a soldier?

Eli:

Yeah, I think so...

Dong Ha:

Na Ra, keep driving.

Jae Hyun:

I think he's telling us to stop.

He's got a gun!

Dong Ha:

Okay, stay cool - understood?

The soldier walks up.

Soldier:

Hey, what are you kids doing here? You're not even old enough to drive!

Na Ra:

Ugh, it's fine, sir!

We're just passing through!

We're trying to reach Chuncheon!

Eli (whispering):

You shouldn't have said that...

Soldier:

Cut the crap. Everyone out of the vehicle.

Min Ji:

Eli... I'm scared...

Dong Ha:

And what if we don't?

The soldier raises his weapon. Shocked, they all get out.

Na Ra:

What do you even want from us?!

Soldier:

You're being placed under quarantine with the others. No discussion.

Jae Hyun:

But we just want to leave! Please!

Soldier:

I said - no discussion.

Dong Ha:

Guys, we have no choice. If we don't obey, he won't hesitate to shoot.

Soldier:

Drop all your weapons.

They all drop their weapons.

But Min Ji secretly keeps her knife hidden in her pocket.

They follow the soldier.

To be continued.