Burden

Eunhyuk pushed the woman away from the entrance and blocked it with a locker, the monster's tongue pierced through one of the shelves, aiming at nothing in particular for sometime before leaving. His glasses were smeared with blood - blood of Jin-ok's daughter.

The woman pounded her hands on his chest, bawling and blaming him. Y/N had nothing to say in it. For one, he was the one who restricted anyone from leaving this building and two, she can't tell a mother to not cry for the loss of her child. Jin-ok dropped down on the floor as some residents pulled her in and making her sit in corner of one room.

"We should start blocking it. It's easy to break through it with just one locker," Y/N said, as everyone scurried to do the work. She slowly walked towards Eunhyuk who was still standing in the same position, grabbed his hand and started dragging him towards the bathroom.

He didn't have the strength to deny her at the moment. When they were near the washroom, he snatched his arm away and said, "I can take care of myself."

"I know, but I'm doing this for my- everyone," she said, "You need to be the top of your game to make everyone work the right way around here. You're the brain of the team."

She looked at him, as he entered the men's washroom and came out a few minutes later. His glasses were clean and so was his face. He walked outside and halted on his steps, still surprised to find her waiting.

"Come on," she said and started walking away, feeling him follow her slowly.

Just about then she heard footsteps, limping footsteps along with Eunhyuk voice saying, "I'm glad you're okay."

Y/N turned back to see Yikyung who looked worn out. She wasn't wearing the outfit she wore before going out. She was in her sports outfit as dirt and sweat covered her body. Before she could call out to her, the exhausted girl punched him on the stomach and said, "You knew there was a monster, didn't you?" There was nothing but deafening silence after that. Y/N tried to process the words Yikyung just said.

He knew.

Eunhyuk looked down at the ground as Yikyung limped out of the area. Y/N walked towards him and observed his face.

"...Yikyung?" she asked, "Did...did you know?"

He kept quiet and turned to look at her. Although his face bore the same expression he wore all the time, Y/N by now had a little idea about how he reacted to certain things. He can mask his expressions but his eyes gave it all away - at least to her.

He was nervous, maybe even a little bit scared. "I told you she's the most competent out of all of us."

"That doesn't mean you don't give her a notice of what's down there. She might be competent but she should have a choice," Y/N started getting angry.

"Losing one life isn't as bad as losi-"

"I know what you mean!" she yelled, "But look at her now! Does it look like she can made it out of there just fine?! Who gave you the right to make this decision!"

"Would it be better if you were down there with her?" he asked, his voice was stern. Her words were affecting him. She knew what she said was making him feel mad at her. Not for questioning his decisions, no.

Because he knew she was right.

"I know I could've stalled enough time for her to escape," Y/N whispered, "She's more needed here than me-"

"You don't know that," he said.

"Why did you stop me?" she asked, hoping to get some kind of answer. Searching his eyes to get some kind of answer. Wondering if he did it because he cared for her even just a little bit. And she did get it from him, just not the kind she was hoping for.

"I know how you are," Eunhyuk said looking straight at her in the eyes, "You would've been a burden to her."

Her eyes started getting glossy. Slowly she stepped back and turned around, "Find your sister on your own."

[ TIME SKIP ]

As much as she hated it, Y/N knew she couldn't just leave him alone with his thoughts. If she was a burden, then Eunhyuk was the one taking all of that, along with the burden of his decisions. A human cannot be so unaffected when a simple decision made by them could cost a life. There was no one who was close to him, and no one to support him either. As much as he refused to take any kind of help, she wanted to offer it. He was rude, but watching him lose himself is way worse than hearing his offensive words.

She stared at the television and watched the news that came straight from the government.

"As of 24:00 on August 17, 2020, martial law has been declared throughout the Republic of Korea in accordance with Article 77, Section 1 of the Constitution and Article 2, Section 2 of the Martial Law Act. The military will be in charge of all security and civil affairs. The military has confirmed that an unspecified number of people have been turning into unknown creatures. The exact cause is still unknown, but it is believed to be related to human desire. It is not a respiratory or blood-borne infection. Quarantine those who show symptoms of hypothermia, nosebleeds, fainting, and auditory or visual hallucinations. these creatures have excellent resilience and regenerative abilities. Before an individual turns, there is a period of time when they cannot recover from severe lacerations or damage. It is the only time these creatures can be killed. We have thus termed this the golden hour. All captured creatures should be incinerated. Currently, this is the only action civilians can take. The military can and will solve the current situation. Survive out there, and good luck to us all."

"Why are you still here," his voice broke down the silence that spread around the room as soon as the signal went out again.

"We don't have the luxury to hold grudges on each other. Besides," she said turning to him, "I know I'm a burden."

He sighed and closed his eyes, massaging his stiff neck "Go be a burden somewhere else. I am really tired."

"I'm not leaving you," she whispered, "so don't force me to."

"Okay then," he said irritated, and pulled her chair towards himself. Slowly leaning towards her face, he whispered, "Then you don't mind if I use you."

Y/N's face visibly turned red, and she stuttered "I-I do mind-"

"Do you?" he asked moving closer, their noses touching, "Why can't you leave when I tell you to? If you can't do that then you can at least help me relieve my stress."

A frown slowly made to her face. Oh, he knew about it. He knew all about her little crush of course. He's not as dense as he pretends to be in this matter. But her heart felt heavy. No, he wasn't doing this because he liked her. He wants to get back at her and worse, use her for...his own pleasure.

Y/N moved closer and pecked him, looking straight to his eye. She was up for the challenge.

Eunhyuk closed the gap, and kissed her. His hands caressed her face, as he tilted his face to get more access. Y/N closed her eyes and put her hands on his shoulders, pulling him close.

She knew taking this challenge will only make it hard for her. But...she couldn't resist. She needed this too. Just a little touch of affection, anything from him. Anything to forget about the end of the world, even just for an hour.