Plague |Jung Hoseok|

1

The plague got the inner part of Gwangju first. It was as if it had a mind of its own. Bugs had crawled out of the drains out peoples homes and caused ilnesses to everyone, people called them Hell Bringers or their more common name; Devonians. This had gone on for months, that is until someone decided to send me a letter explaining that me, and 8 others had to find a cure.

I didn't want to leave my safe place, let alone leave Gwangju all together. The bugs would attack people. Even other people would attack us in rage and delusion.

That was a symptom of this plague. People would cough and blood would come up along with other indescribable things. Then they talked in different tounges, something nobody had heard before, it was almost ancient. Some had said it was the language of the gods. Then it came to the rage. The people, it was as if they weren't even living anymore, they weren't zombies, but its like their souls had left their bodies.

But, even with my situation where i was safe. I had to leave at some point for more supplies, my 'home' as i have decided to call it, was running out of food. I had huddled up into an old abandoned lab. Somewhere i had been for longer than the plague had been around.

I watched bugs fly around the cold desolate streets watching around for anything that dares move. I was to go out there soon. Cracking the bones in my fingers i let go of the curtain and walk away towards the metal table pushed up against the glass doors of the lab, picking up a brown cloth that i tied around my mouth and nose to prevent myself from inhaling any air born infections. I grab my leather pouch and fill it with necessitys, including the letter. Not forgetting to grab the machete that sat against the doorway, i slide that into the strap around my waist and put on a heavy leather jacket over myself before slowly stepping out into the silent road.

It looks as though the small town had been through a zombie apocalypse, and quite frankly, i wish it had. People would have at least been somewhat prepared for that, but they weren't for this. Nobody was. Nobody was expecting bugs to be the fall of the world, they were correct about a threatening disease in a way though, but they didn't expect it to go like this.

I crouch next to the wall in the shadows and observe my surroudings. A few bugs here and there. It wasn't anything big, i could take them on myself if they decide to attack me with those razer-like teeth. Yes. The bugs had teeth. It was terrifying, to see a mutant bug with giant razor blades as teeth, giant wings and spider-like legs. I remember the children screaming their lungs out whenever they caught sight of one. I remember the adults shaking in fear, and the others as white as a sheet of paper. This place was going to hell, and i wasn't going to go down with it. Thats probably why i decided to accept the letter and do as whomever "they" were asked.

I wrap my fingers around the handle of my machete and slowly make my way across the building walls, trying to stay out of sight and for the most part, it had worked. Key word; had. My shoe kicked a small can and it rolled loudly out onto the street until it came to a stop in a pile of snow. Cliché horror movie moment. I curse under my breath as i realise bugs had started to make their way over here. My grip on my machete tightens as i slip it out of the strap and let it dangle from my fingers at my side.

I didnt have much time before they realise that the sound had come from here. I look around pick up a small grey pebble laying at my feet and launch it towards the other side of the street, hearing the small 'clank' as it hits something behind the bastardly bugs. The follow towards the sound and i make a dash towards the building that connects to an underground system.

I barge through the rusted metal door and push it closed with my back as i pant out, my heart beating furiously. Even with living with the devonians for a long time, the fear never leaves and they dont stop coming.

Pushing the latch down with numb hands, it falls down banging against the metal. The bugs outside sounded angry, loud buzzing sounds could be heard behind the thick door. Rolling my shoulders backwards, i let out a deep heavy sigh and make my way down the long dimly lit hallway.

It was one of those hallways you would see in a horror movie, a flickering light, the drip of water echoing somewhere onto the cold concrete. I wrap my jacket tighter around my torso and blow onto then tips of my fingers, its even colder in here than it was outside even if it had been snowing. This old dark hallway used to be a happy one, children would hide in here when their mothers had told them to come inside. They would muffle their laughs with tiny hands and try to be as quite as they could. The fathers would give out a hearty chuckle and distract the mothers for as long as they could.

This town was a happy one once. It cant be like that anymore, not when there is always that creeping fear of dying.

I cant help but laugh in pity of this town. A small, sad, laugh.

I had been walking for sometime now, perhaps an hour to an hour and a half. My legs ache and my hands are numb from the cold. A light was barely visable at the end, a candle or a lantern was lit up near the exit. It gave off a warm feeling, even in this dark and dreary hall.

I push forward with more energy now, almost into a slow jog. At the end of the hall was a sort of safe house. Thats where i would be meeting with whomever sent the letter, which is now probably crushed among the various other things cramed into my bag.

I feel more joyful now, even if i knew that i would have to leave there at some point with 8 other strangers. I walked with a skip in my step, and i hummed along to a song that i had forgotten the name to. The mechete that i had grasped onto with my life now in the strap against my side and long forgotten.

It was as if i was starting new, these people didn't know who i was, or what had happened to me. I didn't know them, or what had happened to them.

We were to be equal. No worrys of past problems, only the worry of our new adventure. A one filled with terrifying insects and the feeling that this day could be your last. I should feel terrified at least, but like my father had told me when i was young 'fear will only drag you down, live every day as if it would be your last.' I will live by those words until i die.

The door was now in front of me, the lantern swinging slightly, making shadows in the corners look as if they are moving closer and closer. I shiver slightly, and the joy i had felt had weared off slightly. My fingers grasp the cold handle and i turn it, hearing a familiar click as the door creaks open.

A quiet chatter was heard, but it came to an abrupt stop. "Welcome to the safe house, we've been waiting for you"