Chapter 12: "Massive Explosion"

"We need to move, now!" Gus yelled, grabbing his bag of snacks. Taehyung's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with determination. He pulled me close, his hand grasping mine tightly as he yanked me forward. Emily dashed alongside us, her face pale with fear. Debris and zombies blurred together as we sprinted towards the exit. The sound of helicopters and explosions grew louder, the mall shaking beneath our feet.

"We're not going to make it!" Emily shrieked, her eyes wide with terror.

Taehyung's grip on my hand tightened. "Don't let go, Y/N!" he shouted above the din. "I've got you!"

I nodded, my heart racing. Our eyes met, and for a moment, the chaos faded. All that mattered was the two of us, our bond stronger than any horror around us.

Just as we reached the doors, a massive explosion rocked the mall, sending us stumbling backward. Taehyung's arms wrapped around me, shielding me from the blast. The world around us erupted in flames and chaos, but in that moment, all I felt was his warmth, his protection, and his love.

As the explosion's shockwave subsided, Taehyung's embrace never wavered. But my legs gave out, and darkness closed in. I felt myself falling, Taehyung's desperate cry echoing in my mind: "Y/N, no! Hold on!"

When I came to, I was disoriented and groggy, my head throbbing. I blinked slowly, finding myself in an unfamiliar room with pale blue walls and antiseptic smells. Taehyung lay beside me, his eyes closed, his face pale. Emily was nearby, her eyes open but unfocused. Gus was nowhere to be seen.

"Taehyung?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. His eyes fluttered open, locking onto mine with a mix of relief and fear. "Y/N...oh, thank God," he whispered, his hand reaching for mine.

As our hands intertwined, memories flooded back: the mall, the explosion, our desperate escape. But where were we now? And how did we get here?

⁠˙⁠❥To Be Continue.