Lines We Can’t Cross

We had just finished setting up the alarms at the entrance, the paint cans dangling from wires, ready to rattle at the slightest disturbance.

Eunwoo and I also patched up the holes in the fences with wood and tarpaulin, hoping it would block any wandering eyes—or, worse, the infected.

It had only been three hours since we started fortifying the construction site, and so far, our defenses had held up.

Outside, we spotted a few zombies aimlessly lurking on the street, but they hadn't noticed us yet. We were beginning to feel a relief—that maybe, just maybe, this place could be safe for the night.

But it was shattered when one of Hana's friends suddenly came running toward us, her face pale and frantic. "Something's wrong!" she cried, her voice trembling. "One of my friends—she's acting weird!"

Eunwoo and I exchanged a sharp glance. "Weird how?" I asked, already dreading the answer.

She… she started shaking, and her skin looks pale, like… like them," the girl stammered, pointing toward the infected outside. "She hasn't turned yet, but—"

I gently touched her shoulder, trying to steady her trembling frame. "Calm down," I said softly, locking eyes with her.

She nodded shakily, taking a deep breath, though the fear in her eyes didn't fade.

"Let's go," I said firmly, glancing at Eunwoo, who was already on edge.

When we reached the tent, the scene was chaotic. The other girls were trying to hold onto their friend, who was squirming weakly but clearly in distress. Her breathing was shallow, and beads of sweat clung to her pale forehead.

Hana stood nearby, her bow still in hand but no longer aimed, leaning in and trying to get answers. "What happened? Did she get scratched? Bitten? Tell me the truth!" Her tone was sharp, laced with worry and authority.

"She didn't get bitten!" one of the girls cried, her voice cracking. "We've been with her the whole time. She's just… not feeling well. I don't know why!"

"She was fine earlier," another added, clutching her friend's arm. "We thought she was just tired from running. But now…"

Hana narrowed her eyes, skeptical. "You're sure she didn't get touched by one of them? Even a scratch could do it."

The girls shook their heads frantically, but their uncertainty was clear.

I stepped closer, raising my hands slightly in a calming gesture. "Have you checked if there's a wound on her body?"

One of the girls hesitated before speaking. "She has a scratch on her arm," she admitted, her voice shaky. "But it wasn't because of the zombies! It happened when we were running—she got caught on the fence wire, and it bled."

Eunwoo and I exchanged a tense glance. A scratch, no matter the cause, was risky.

ded frantically. "We did! I swear! We poured water on it and wrapped it with some bandage we got from the clinic"

The other girl hesitated, her voice trembling as she spoke. "The truth is… she told me to keep quiet about it. But the fence—there was blood on it. I didn't think much of it, but then she got scratched on it. Maybe…"

Eunwoo's expression darkened as he finished her sentence. "Maybe the blood of the infected got into her wound?"

A heavy silence settled over the group. 

Hana's jaw tightened as she took a step forward, her voice cold and steady. "If that's true, then we're wasting time. We need to deal with this now."

"No," I said firmly, standing my ground. "We don't know that for sure. It could just be a coincidence."

"And if it's not?" Hana snapped, her knuckles whitening around her bow. "You're risking all of us."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm. "We don't even know how the infection spreads yet. We've seen people get bitten and turn, but scratches? Contaminated blood? We don't know."

"She's already acting weird!" one of the girls cried, panic rising in her voice. "What if she's changing?"

Eunwoo stepped in, his voice more measured. "We can't jump to conclusions. Let's give it some time."

Hana narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "And what's your plan if she does turn? Let her take a bite out of one of us before we act?"

"No," I said sharply. "We'll keep her isolated for now. If she gets worse—if there's no doubt—then we'll do what we have to. But until then, we're not killing her based on assumptions."

Eunwoo placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice low. "You sure about this? You're the one calling the shots here."

I nodded, though my stomach churned. "Yeah. It's the right thing to do."

Hana gave me a hard look but didn't argue further. "Fine. But I'm not letting my guard down. One wrong move, and I'll put her down myself."

I glanced at the girl, who sat trembling in the corner of the tent, her face pale and drenched in sweat. "We'll keep her separated."

As we moved her to a secluded corner of the site, the weight of the decision settled heavily on my shoulders. I could only hope I'd made the right call.

"How can Hana stay so calm saying things like that?" Eunwoo murmured, glancing toward her. His voice held a mix of admiration and unease.

I sighed, my gaze following Hana as she stood guard, her bow gripped tightly in her hand. "She has to be," I said softly. "We all do. Things have changed, Eunwoo. If we don't adapt to this world…"

My voice faltered as I stared down from our makeshift perch at the infected shambling aimlessly below.

I swallowed hard, the sight sending a shiver down my spine. "We'll end up like them."

Eunwoo was silent for a moment, the weight of my words sinking in. "It's just… she didn't even hesitate," he said softly. "Like she's already accepted this is how things are now."

"She has," I replied, my voice firmer now. "And so should we. It's not about hesitating anymore, Eunwoo. It's about surviving. And to survive, we need to make hard decisions—even if they make us question ourselves."

"You know, you've changed too," Eunwoo said, his voice carrying a rare softness. He glanced at me with a small, thoughtful smile. "I mean, I always knew you had this side of you, but now… you're comfortable showing it."

I frowned slightly, not quite understanding. "What do you mean?"

"You've always stayed low," he said, leaning back a little. "You didn't want attention, didn't want to get involved with anyone. You'd always keep to yourself, you know? But now… despite everything that's happened, I'm happy. I'm happy you're finally opening up—not just to me, but to others too."

I paused, his words settling in my mind like a weight I hadn't realized I was carrying. "I didn't really think about it like that," I admitted, my voice quieter now.

"Well, it's true," Eunwoo said with a light chuckle. "This whole thing is a mess, yeah, but… I think it's making us stronger. You, especially. You're stepping up in ways I always knew you could."

I looked away, unsure how to respond. "I'm just trying to do what I can," I muttered. "For us. For everyone."

"And that's exactly what I mean," he said, nudging me lightly. "You're showing the part of you that cares. The part that's willing to take risks. I've always seen it, but now… now, I think you're starting to see it too."

His words caught me off guard. I didn't know how to feel about it—proud? Embarrassed? Maybe both. But I couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my face. "Thanks, Eunwoo," I said finally. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

He grinned. "Well, you're stuck with me, so I guess you won't have to find out."

Eunwoo and I took turns keeping watch over the place and checking on the girl. It was my turn, and I told Eunwoo to get some rest first.

As I was sitting near the girl, keeping an eye on the surroundings, Hana approached me quietly. "So, any news?" she asked, her voice low.

I glanced at her, narrowing my eyes slightly. "Why are you awake?" I asked, curious. "You should be resting with the others."

Hana crossed her arms and gave me a small shrug. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted. "Too much on my mind. And besides…" She looked around the dimly lit site. "I don't like leaving everything to chance. What about you? Any updates?"

I shook my head. "Not much. The girl's still out cold, but no signs of her turning. For now, at least." I hesitated for a moment before adding, "But I'm keeping an eye on her, just in case."

Hana sighed, leaning against the wall next to me. "You seem calm about all this," she said, studying me. "Most people would be freaking out right now."

I gave a small, tired laugh. "Calm? I don't know about that. I am just like you, forcing myself to adapt to our new life."

As I watched Hana, she looked so distant.

"Just like me, huh," she muttered. As she leaned against the wall. "I guess people will think I'm the worst right now... because she was once my friend. But anytime she turns, I'm ready to end her."

The words tasted heavy, almost foreign, but I couldn't deny them. Survival didn't allow room for sentimentality, not anymore.

I glanced back toward the tent, where the others were huddled, trying to get whatever rest they could.

It was a cruel world we'd been thrown into, one that forced us to make decisions we would've never imagined before. I wasn't sure if it was strength or cowardice that let me think this way, but I knew one thing: hesitation could cost us everything.