Se7en led Hyun Suk throughout the interior of the stadium to the first floor of the Home Plus store. The aisles were full of groceries. All of the fresh food was long gone, but there seemed to be plenty of dried food and canned goods to last at least a month.

They continued walking down the shiny linoleum floor, past the empty shelves that used to hold fresh produce, until they reached the end of the aisles where the store management office was. The office had been converted to an armory, with the back closets containing both crude weapons confiscated from civilians and military weapons like submachine guns and assault rifles.

Two soldiers exited that office just as Se7en and Hyun Suk were about to enter. The soldiers looked at Hyun Suk curiously but then just nodded toward Se7en and continued on their way. Se7en’s heart was racing. He knew that he was defying orders just by bringing a civilian here and he thought for sure when those two soldiers saw him that he was caught. He shook his head now and tried to calm his pulse. They probably didn’t think I was stupid enough to do what I’m doing, he thought. They probably just assumed that I was on official business of some kind.

But he didn’t have time to think anymore. Hyun Suk had already pulled him into the armory where they saw the soldier, Rina, who was sitting behind the desk with her feet up as she flipped through a book titled Night Devil.  

“Interesting read?” Hyun Suk asked.

Rina looked up from her book, eyeing them both, and then took her legs off the desk and sat up in her chair. “I should hope so,” she said. “I wrote it.”

“You’re a writer?” Hyun Suk asked.

“I used to be,” she said. She put her book down, took off her beret, and ran her hands through her short black hair, which was dyed with electric blue and purple streaks.

“Not exactly a standard issue haircut, I see,” Hyun Suk said.

“Well, I’m not exactly a standard issue soldier,” she said.

“Good,” Hyun Suk said. “Then maybe you wouldn’t mind breaking the rules a bit.”

Rina glanced between Hyun Suk and Se7en now and then stood up and folded her arms across her chest.

“I want my katana back,” Hyun Suk said.

Rina now smiled, her brown almond-shaped eyes bright. “Ah, so you’re the owner of the katana. It’s a nice blade.”

“Do you have family?” Hyun Suk asked her.

“What does that matter to you?”

“I have a wife and two little kids. And they’re out there somewhere, probably alone and scared.”

Rina breathed in deeply but didn’t say anything.

“I’m going to go find them. You can help me and maybe I’ll live, maybe I’ll save them. But if not…”

Rina rolled her eyes and sighed. “Even with my help, you won’t last out there, not on your own.”

“I’m going to try either way,” Hyun Suk said. “Whether you help me or not.”

Rina breathed in deeply again and then walked over to the back closet where Hyun Suk’s katana was. She pulled it off the shelf, swept her finger down the blade as she admired it once more, and then handed it to him.

“Kamsahamnida,” Hyun Suk said, bowing.

He and Se7en turned around and were about to leave when Rina suddenly called out to them.

“Wait,” she said. She returned to that same closet and pulled out the black riot helmet and shield. “These came in with the katana. I’m assuming they’re yours, too?”

Hyun Suk nodded.

Rina then passed the helmet and shield to him. “Good luck finding your family,” she said.

Hyun Suk put on the helmet and then held the shield in one hand and the katana in the other, looking very much like a modern-day knight, ready to go out to battle.

Everyone had seen friends listed – some members of Super Junior, most of MBLAQ – but few had seen families listed. Dara was the only 2ne1 girl to see family on the list, but it was only one family member – her brother, Sang Hyun, otherwise known as Thunder from MBLAQ. As for the Big Bang members, Se7en had briefly mentioned during the check-in process that Daesung’s sister, Bora, who was a soldier, was stationed there. But there was nothing about G-Dragon, Seungri, or T.O.P.’s families.

G-Dragon and Dara split apart from the group at the entrance to the sunlit football field and now left in search of her brother. Jae Suk, who was perhaps the luckiest, seeing both his wife and son’s name on the list, left the group, too, to find his family.

None of the other Running Man members had family there. But Jong Kook had seen that Haha’s wife, Byul, and son, Dream, were listed. He now turned to Ji Hyo, asking if she would come with him to find Haha’s family. Ji Hyo smiled and grabbed Jong Kook’s hand.

“Of course,” she said.

The sight before them was strange – hundreds and hundreds of military cots set up in rows on the green turf, with tons of civilians lounging on the cots, walking around the field, and sitting up in the stands. It was overwhelming.

The two walked hand-in-hand across the field, the sun on their faces and the grass soft beneath their tired feet. Ji Hyo looked across at all the cots set up on the field and all the people walking around and wondered how prepared this center was with supplies. These people were essentially living outside, exposed to the elements. She did notice that each cot had a plastic canopy that hung down around the bedding, but people couldn’t be expected to stay within their plastic-protected bed all day. They were out on the field and in the stands. They needed sunscreen and lots of water.

But no one looked like they were in need. They weren’t exactly happy, but they all seemed well-nourished and grateful.

“Most everyone here is our age,” Jong Kook whispered as he looked around. “You notice that?”

Ji Hyo hadn’t noticed. She had been thinking about their health. But as she looked at the faces of those they passed, she saw that he was right. There were very few children and very few elderly. Most of the survivors were young… some in their teens, most in their twenties or thirties. “Survival of the fittest,” Ji Hyo quietly said, and then thought of her parents. She hoped that wherever they were, they were okay.

At that moment, a little girl, maybe around seven-years-old, slowly approached Jong Kook and tugged at his shirt with her small hand.

Jong Kook was happy to see the little girl. He loved children and had always wanted to be a father. But knowing how few children there were here, he felt sad for her. She must be lonely.

“I’m your fan,” the girl said, without a hint of shyness. “You’re the best commander.”

Jong Kook kneeled down beside her now, smiling. Her tag said that her name was Ah Ri. He pointed to the tag and told her that she had a pretty name.

“Thanks,” she said. She was smiling widely and looking at both Jong Kook and Ji Hyo.

“You two should get married,” Ah Ri said.

“Wha–” Ji Hyo, who had since kneeled beside Jong Kook, now looked over at him in open-mouthed surprise.

Jong Kook looked at Ji Hyo, too, and his face broke out in a smile.

“Why do think we should get married?” Ji Hyo asked, now looking back at Ah Ri.

Ah Ri shrugged, all cute-like, and then said, “Because you two are the best. Sparta and Ace. You’re my heroes.”

Jong Kook and Ji Hyo smiled, both of them deeply touched by the girl’s words.

Just then, they heard someone squeal and then shout, “Spartace!” And within moments, three other fans ran up to Jong Kook and Ji Hyo.

Jong Kook and Ji Hyo stood up and smiled, looking around at the small gathering of fans, all of whom began asking for autographs. The only one with paper was a girl named Shanice, who seemed friendly and gave some paper to the others so that Jong Kook and Ji Hyo could sign for everyone.

“Shanice is a pretty name,” Ji Hyo said, as she signed the paper. She passed it now to Jong Kook so that he could sign, too.

Ji Hyo then turned to the next two fans, a male and a female, both of whom seemed to be in their twenties.

“Song Ji Hyo-ssi,” the young man said, “I can’t believe it’s really you.” He blushed a bit and then passed her the paper for her to sign.

Ji Hyo noticed his tag. “And your name is Jong Ri?”

Jong Ri smiled. “I’m a huge fan,” he said. “Of both of you,” he added, looking at Jong Kook, too. “You’re my two favorite members of Running Man.”

Jong Kook thanked him and signed his name below Ji Hyo’s.

“And you are?” Ji Hyo asked the last fan.

“Min Yeon,” the girl said. She had long wavy brown hair and big black eyes. “Me and Jong Ri are your biggest fans. We love Spartace!”

Jong Kook and Ji Hyo smiled. They had heard the nickname Spartace before and knew that there was a fanbase of those who hoped they had a romantic relationship in real life, but that life of stardom seemed so distant. It was strange to talk with fans and sign autographs in this new life.

As Shanice, Jong Ri, and Min Yeon talked excitedly, looking over and comparing the autographs they had received, Jong Kook and Ji Hyo were happy that they could still bring joy to people.

The three fans thanked them profusely and then ran off with beaming smiles.

The little girl, Ah Ri, then tugged at Jong Kook’s shirt again.

Jong Kook kneeled down once again to be at the same eye level with the little girl.

“I really hope you get married,” Ah Ri said, looking at both Jong Kook and Ji Hyo. “And have lots of babies.”

Both Ji Hyo and Jong Kook felt their eyes sting with tears. Could a life of marriage and children even be possible in this new world? 

Jae Suk ran through the eastern section of the field, his black hair matted to his forehead from the sweat as he searched for E52 and E53. His wife and son. He checked the numbers attached to each cot down the row. E12, E13, E14…

He continued running down the row, past the people standing around the cots, some of whom looked up at him as he made his way past. He was sure that he had been recognized. He had perhaps the most famous face in South Korea, but he didn’t want to stop. He wanted only to see his wife and little boy. And finally, up ahead, he thought he saw them.

Kyung Eun was sitting on her cot, mindlessly staring off at the others around her, as her three-year-old son, Ji Ho, drew a picture with his crayons beside her. But something caught her eye and she turned to see the man with glasses running down the row toward her. Could it be…?

She suddenly stood with wide eyes, startling her son who then looked up, too.

“Yeobo?!” Kyung Eun cried out.

Jae Suk’s emotions poured down his face, his cheeks streaked with tears as he ran up to hug her.

“Appa?” Little Ji Ho stood on the cot and Jae Suk quickly swept the boy into his arms, holding both his wife and son close and remembering every moment of their life together – how he and Kyung Eun first met, their phone and car dates when they tried to hide their relationship from the public, their star-studded wedding, the birth of their boy…

“Yeobo,” Kyung Eun said again, her voice muffled as she cried against his chest.

Those around them in the surrounding cots, seeing a happy family reuniting, all began applauding. Jae Suk glanced at them, seeing the splash of happiness on their faces as they clapped. Even though they didn’t know his family, it was the idea of family that they applauded, the idea that there could still be joy in this new world full of such sorrow. 

Jong Kook and Ji Hyo were also in the eastern section of the field and had heard the applause a few rows away. They saw Jae Suk with his wife and son and smiled, happy for him.

But their happiness diminished when they saw Byul up ahead holding her baby, Dream, in her arms. Byul was quietly singing to the six-month-old baby, trying to calm down his crying.

La la la la, she sang. You are my sun, your love that I don’t deserve.

Jong Kook recognized the melody. It was Haha’s song, “You’re My Destiny.”

You’re so bright it hurts my eyes, she sang, but her voice now cracked from her sadness and she cried softly.

Jong Kook looked at Ji Hyo, both of their faces blank now, as they slowly approached Byul. When Byul turned around and saw them, her sadness seemed to disappear.

“Oh! Jong Kook-ah! Ji Hyo-yah!” She hugged them both, her face full of hope.

“Hey, little Dream,” Jong Kook said, smiling and tickling the baby a bit.

Dream started laughing in these cute hiccup-like giggles.

“Where’s my husband?” Byul asked. “Is he okay?”

Jong Kook looked at Byul now, his small eyes filling with tears as he shook his head no.

She her lips in and squeezed her eyes closed, trying to not to cry. “Okay, okay,” she said, trying to keep calm. But she felt dizzy and nearly lost her balance. Jong Kook quickly supported her to keep her from falling. “I’m okay,” she said. She handed Jong Kook the baby and then sat down on the cot.

Jong Kook held the boy up in front of him, staring at his cute chubby baby face, and then cradled him close to his chest. “I promised Dong Hoon that I will look after his family,” he said. “You and Dream, whatever you need, I am here for you.”

Byul looked at Jong Kook holding the baby and remembered how Jong Kook had been the first to come to the hospital after the birth. He had been so excited for the new parents.

Ji Hyo sat down beside Byul on the cot. “He died heroically,” Ji Hyo said. “He was part of a group that was trying to find some people who were lost.” Ji Hyo put her arm around Byul now. “I am here if you want to talk.”

“There’s a nice counselor here named Rae,” Byul said. “I’ve talked with her a few times since I’ve been here.” She sniffled a bit. “I just wish… I just wish my son could know his father,” she said. 

Dara’s brother, Thunder, and the other surviving members of MBLAQ, were in the northern section of the field, according to the codes listed by their names in the record. The only MBLAQ member not listed was the group’s leader, Seungho.

G-Dragon and Dara tried not to speculate as to whether Seungho was dead or alive, just as they tried not to speculate about G-Dragons’ family. The last time that G-Dragon had spoken with his sister, Dami, she had said that she was with her family at their parents’ pension in Pocheon. He could only hope that she was still with their parents there, and that they were all safe.

As G-Dragon and Dara walked to the northern section of the field now, stopping occasionally to greet and talk with fans along the way, they focused their conversation not on their missing friends and family, but on those they knew were safe, like Dara’s brother, who they saw just up ahead, starting to sing for a crowd of fans.

Thunder was dressed in the same plain clothes as everyone else – a light-colored t-shirt and loose fitting pants – but somehow, he stood out from the crowd. Maybe it was his hair, which was styled in somewhat of a messy shag, or maybe it was his baby idol face. Whatever it was, he had transformed that corner of the field. The people surrounding him were full of smiles and began to cheer now as he sang his solo song, “Don’t Go.”

The day you left me, telling me that you really hate me now, I pretended to be calm and not hurt, and tried to leave you with a smile…

G-Dragon and Dara were standing at the back of the crowd, listening to Thunder continue singing the first verse in his smooth, velvety voice.

But the words that remained in my mouth were “come back”…

But just as Thunder was about to jump from that last line to the chorus, he saw Dara standing in the back of the crowd. His mouth fell open, his voice gone. Those in the crowd turned to look at the source of his stare and then saw the other two idols.

“It’s G-Dragon and Dara!” they yelled, all nearly trampling over each other to get closer to the stars.

Thunder made his way through the mess of people and ran up to his sister. They cried and hugged each other tightly. G-Dragon, meanwhile, tried to calm down the fans around him, all of whom were now asking for him to sing, too.

Thunder told G-Dragon and Dara that the soldiers had already been talking about a concert. “One of them approached me yesterday about it, saying that it would be good for morale. And now that you two are here, I’m sure they’ll definitely be talking more seriously about it.” He hugged Dara again, so grateful to see his sister, but then he began wondering about the others. “Is it… only you two?” he asked, thinking that perhaps the rest of Big Bang and 2ne1 were dead.

“No, we’re all here,” G-Dragon said. “Except for Taeyang. He… didn’t make it.”

Thunder looked down and nodded. “Sorry to hear that,” he said. “I know what that’s like. We lost Seungho.”

At that moment, Se7en approached them, his face full of worry. He pulled at his collar, feeling stifled by the stiff camouflage uniform, and then stood before them with his head down.

“What’s wrong?” Dara asked.

Se7en handed a folded piece of paper to G-Dragon. “It’s from Yang Goon-ah,” Se7en said. “He asked that I give it to you.”

G-Dragon looked at Se7en curiously and then unfolded the letter. Two keys fell from the fold into G-Dragon’s hand. He looked at the keys and then returned his attention to the letter.

Ji Yong, I trust that you are all safe here. I will be gone for a while. I need to find my family. There is a good chance that I may not make it back and so I am giving you the key to my boat and the key to my house on Sido. If something goes wrong at the rescue center, go to the island. 

Below the note was a crude map that Hyun Suk had drawn, which depicted a route they could take from the stadium to the marina, where Hyun Suk’s boat was docked, and a simple drawing of the river leading from the marina, around Seoul, and out to the Bokdo chain west of the mainland.

“He already left?” G-Dragon asked.

Se7en nodded and then walked away.