The Last Call | An Iz*One Journey

Chapter 9: Ducky Choi - Never More Alive

A/N: To Sam and Scar, I imagined Yuri and Yena as you two in this story, as I always do. I hope you enjoy it in particular!

Yena's POV

Chaewon slept in an awkward position beside me when I woke up. I reached out to stroke her midnight-black hair, messily caught up in its own weaving. She's been doing a great job taking care of Eunbi and myself - constantly checking on Eunbi's condition and helping me with my grotesque puncture wound. I lifted up my shirt to expose my bare tummy, seeing the thick layers upon layers of bandages wrapped around, in a devilish-purple stain of antiseptic solutions met with days' old blood. With a hand, I grazed over the injured region at my front, and my back. The pain wasn't as prevalent as beforehand, but I couldn't help but grimace behind gritted teeth.

I sat up, gently helping Chaewon lay comfortably in my spot as I tiptoed around her body, headed out of the tent. Beside her was Eunbi, who was coughing lightly even in her much-needed rest. I sighed: that's Eunbi for you, always over-stretching herself. Walking out, I felt the early morning sunlight diffusing into my skin, giving way to the rays of warmth that permeated my sebaceous layers, down to the very bone.

It felt good to be able to walk around. Rolling my head around, I pulled a few joints, stretching every inch of my near-immobile body for the past several days. Towards the horizon, the purity of the snow extended to infinity and beyond, seemingly boundless from where I stood - Mother Nature never ceased to amaze me. Even the horrid and terror of the biting cold could look so serene and pleasant in the inspiring glow of the burning ball of fire.

I wonder how Sakura and the other two are doing. Maybe they have already found the place? I just hope it will be a nice shelter for us to take refuge from the elements, as well as the other creatures of the wild. From what I heard, Hyewon had burnt herself playing with fire while fending off from the wolves. Okay, she wasn't exactly playing, but that was pretty reckless nonetheless.

Back at camp... I realised how everyone was looking so gloomy and at a loss. Eunbi is busy recuperating, while Sakura and Chaeyeon were away with Yujin. It seems that next in line for the unnies would be Hyewon - and myself. Just last night, Hyewon had been comforting the other members, making sure they ate well without worry for our food supplies. I'm just glad that she's taking this all very well as the unnie.

Since I'm up and well, better make myself useful too.

Turning east, the back of a lone member faced me. She was sitting on a fallen log by the fire, now long extinguished in nothing but cold ashes. As I slowly limped towards her, the milk-whiteness of her squirrel cheek, together with the way she hunched over the log, made me instantly recognise her. It was Yuri, fallen fast asleep as she placed her elbows at her knees, cupping her cheeks with her mittened-hands. Seeing that it was best not to interrupt her, I kneeled down on the ground near the firepit. With a few strikes of the matchstick, I tried my best to set the campfire burning again. After the fire began cackling dry sticks, I tossed in a few chopped bunches of wood, then dusting my hands of the sawdust.

Struggling to get up, I carefully planted myself right next to Yuri, wrapping my arm around her shoulder as I drew her into my chest. A hug of gentle touch that allowed her some space to breathe, but still able to feel the warmth within me. Her baby-like patterned breathing was just so adorable, and I could feel her cool breath running over the epidermis of my hand at a timed interval. In that moment of holding her, I could feel Yuri being more alive than ever - and how glad I am that we are all fine.

And as Yuri cuddled against my body, I felt my heart tighten into a knot once again. All the times we joked and bickered during practice and in the dormitory, were also all the times I really enjoyed with her. Now, out here in a deserted mountain... I'm just glad I'm with her. How much I loved my little joyul - she will never understand.