(E) Chapter 6                                                                                                    “You’re not bringing him with us.” Luhan hissed at the boy who stubbornly lifted Tao. It was dangerous to them, three bites were placed on different places and one was on his shoulder making him writhe out in pain. “Kai!” Luhan had yelled out and was about to go after Kai when he was stopped by Baekyoung's hand, gripping onto his elbow and pulling him backwards. Baekyoung could feel the boy’s pain and he knew that Kai was under so much pressure and internal conflict. As much as he wanted to make things better, as much as he wanted to erase the pain he was in, Baekyoung was as helpless as a fish out of water.   “I can’t believe this.” Luhan said, pacing on the first floor as they saw Kai leave the front door. “His best friend is bitten and he expects us to comply with his rules? What if we get bitten? Eaten? We don’t know when it he will turn!” To Luhan, the light of hope of surviving was still flickering and he did not want Tao to ruin that. Kris and Baekyoung who wasn’t listening to Luhan’s ramblings were talking. Kris felt that Baekyoung seemed like a reliable person, the boy seeing how Baekyoung stood in the background crossing his arms and trying to analyze the situation. “I mean, can’t we cut off his arm or something?” Luhan asked, obviously frustrated. “Wait, but he was bitten on the shoulder, he would die from too much bleeding if that’s the case. Aish! Where is that Kai?”   As Luhan’s voice droned in the background Kris and Baekyoung were in a conversation, Kris opening the metal case that Tao brought, peering in and nodding in satisfaction. If Tao died, which most probably he will, it would not be in vain. The metal case was filled with silencers, 4 of them fully loaded with another packet of bullets that they could use. “Do they work?” Baekyoung asked Kris, coming closer to look inside but his head banging against Kris’ forehead. “Ouch. Sorry, man.” Baekyoung said, rubbing his forehead and Kris waved a hand showing that it wasn’t that big of a matter. “Does it work?” Baekyoung repeated the question. “Yeah, they do. He brought the ones already loaded.” Kris said, closing up the case protectively. He was a police and he knew the danger of guns if the top notch wasn’t put on correctly or when an accidental press of the trigger could lead to death. “What are we going to do with that Tao guy?” Kris turned and looked at Baekyoung who curiously tilted his eyebrows, his gaze penetrating the newcomer. “We?” Baekyoung questioned. Kris who did not want to seem affected by the condescending tone nodded. “I need a ride to Daegu. It’s around 3 and half hours from here. I heard you were heading to Busan so you’re passing by Daegu…” Baekyoung nodded, rubbing his hands together. In all honesty, he did not know what would happen next. He knew he worried about Kai and Tao but he, himself, did not know if they could sacrifice their safety for the sake of Tao who was bitten multiple times. What Baekyoung did know was that he had to keep a calm mind and approach everyone with care, the group was in the verge of breaking- When did he refer to them as a group?   With that, the door opened again and Kai came striding in, holding a few packs of ramen and his backpack. He was supporting Tao who he laid against the wall, Tao’s arm now bandaged up from the first aid kit. Kai stood up, his face stoned when walking to Baekyoung and handed him the first aid before speaking. “Baekhyun bandaged Tao for me. He’s been asking why you aren’t back in the car.” Kai placed the first aid kit in Baekyoung’s hands then walked back to Tao who was already shivering. It was a matter of time but if it was one thing Kai was certain of: It was that his friendship with Tao was never fazed. “Why aren’t you back in the car?” Luhan asked, coming to his senses as he saw the ramen packets and Kai’s backpack. “What the hell are you doing?” “I’m not going with you guys, I thought I made it clear.” Kai answered, grabbing a shirt and putting it on Tao who looked like he was about to faint. “I’m staying here.” “D-don’t b-be stupi…stupid.” Tao managed to whisper, his eyes going darker by the minute, clutching his bandaged arm and Kai shook his head, swallowing hard.   “That’s right, don’t be stupid.” Luhan burst out. “What are you going to do here? You’re going to die with him!” His words came out with a certain impact and it made Baekyoung walk to Luhan and place his hand on Luhans shoulder trying to calm him down. Kris who saw the potential fight coming up, straightened himself. “So what if I die with him?” Kai answered calmly, smoothing Tao’s hair and patting his head. Tao was getting weaker, his eyes drooping lower, now it was half opened and he struggled to stay awake. “What the fuu- It’s not worth it, you ! How can you throw your life awa-“ “Who are you to decide what is worth or not worth it for me?!” Kai hissed suddenly, standing up and walking towards Luhan, his eyes flaring up. “Who the are you to tell me that I can’t be with the only person I care about at a time like this?” His eyes were like spears and Luhan felt his blood boiling. Kris had came up behind Kai and held his shoulder, while Baekyoung was trying to keep Luhan away. “Why are you acting like this? You have your whole life ahead of you-“ Luhan started, his body already leaning forward as the atmosphere started to seem more like a street fight. “TO WHAT?!” Kai bellowed, “To what? My whole life ahead of me to what?” His fingers tightened into fists and the boy advanced forward, Kris grabbing the hem of Kai’s shirt as a protocol in case they really did beat each other up. “We can’t go out anymore! We can’t do the things we did; all our closed ones are most likely dead. There is no certainty anymore so don’t you dare tell me that I have my whole life away ahead of me when I don’t even want to live.” Kai’s body shook with fury and Baekyoung felt Luhans chest tighten before easing. The fairy boy did not yell instead he looked at Kai, his eyes now serious.   “So you’re giving up.” Luhan stated, not even asking a question, just a sentence that made Kai pause. “I’m not giving up on Tao, that’s what I’m doing.” “But you’re giving up on yourself.”   Kai’s bottom lip trembled and he staggered back to Kris who caught him, his back against Kris’ chest. Luhan looked away, and Baekyoung moved towards Kai to talk to him but Kai turned away showing that whatever they said, he would not leave Tao on his own. “Bring him with us.” Baekyoung suddenly said, making everyone look at him in surprise. “Is this the time to joke?” Kris turned to Baekyoung but the boy looked sincere to his words. “Let’s bring him with us. We can put him on the trunk of the car and find a place to stay so we can kill- shoot him the moment he turns.” Baekyoung’s voice went low when he said the last part and everyone turned to him. When he saw that they looked at him like he was crazy, he shrugged. “Just a suggestion.”   “Okay.” Luhan said his eyes on Kai who looked up at him, surprised. Kris kept quiet, knowing that since he was new he practically had no say in anything. “Okay.” Luhan repeated, walking to Tao and grabbing the backpack, signaling to Baekyoung who nodded. The two worked quietly, Baekyoung lifting Tao up and Luhan packing up everything that Kai brought. “I can drive. Since it’s dangerous, I can drive. The less people in the car that Tao is contained in, the better.” Kris said and Luhan nodded in agreement, tossing Kris the car keys. Kai who was stunned for a moment of how far these people would go just to bring him with them, his lips and complied. All of them exited the building and walked to the car. Kai opened the trunk of the white car and Baekyoung laid Tao inside. It was good the trunk itself was spacious since it was an old car so Tao fit in without much trouble. Tao gave a groan, and curled up in the trunk, Kai laying an extra T-shirt on his body to warm his best friend when Baekyoung looked at him. The moment Kai nodded, Baekyoung slammed the trunk shut and Kris got inside to start the car. “Oh.. hello.” Chen said when he saw Kris, being the first time seeing the guy. “Hey, I’ll introduce myself later… But can you get into that car?” “Uh…” Chen looked at him confused but Luhan knocked on the car window as a signal to get out of the car and Chen followed, opening the door and stepping out. “I’ll ride with you.” Kai said to Kris and got into the car, closing the door behind him. Kris started the car and in a few moments they waited till the first car started moving forward.   In the first car after explaining everything, Baekhyun was biting his lip. “So you mean Tao got bitten but we’re still bringing him with us?” The small boy asked and his older brother nodded. “Does that make sense?” “If we don’t bring Tao, Kai wouldn’t come as well. I can’t live with the guilt.” Baekyoung answered and Baekhyun opened his mouth to answer back, when Chen poked his stomach from the back. Baekhyun frowned at Chen who was in the backseat before speaking again. “So hyung, there is another guy? What’s his name? Yifan?” “Kris.” Luhan answered for Baekyoung and glared. “Stop asking questions, it’s annoying.” “I’m not asking you.” Baekhyun shot back, rolling his eyes at Luhan who made a face at the younger boy. “There, there.” Baekyoung said, driving. “Kris is a police officer, so I guess we can trust him. Luhan- Get some sleep, you’re grumpy.” Baekyoung stated when he saw the pout on Luhan’s face. Luhan who was annoyed for no particular reason turned away and leaned against the car window, closing his eyes.   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   “Are you sure he was bitten?” Kris asked Kai who looked away from the window of the car. Kai crossed his legs, nodding. They were driving for three hours and it was all silent until Kris asked that question. “That’s strange.” Kris whispered to himself, shaking his head and his lips pressed together showing that he doubted what Kai said. “Are you sure?” “Yes. I saw a zombie bite him and it was about to…” Kai paused and rubbed his eyes. “…To eat off more when I arrived and it targeted me instead. Why?” “Because people usually turn within seconds. If they are lucky, within an hour. If really lucky, within two hours.” Kris began. “When it first broke out, I had to patrol around the hospital and the symptoms matched what Tao is going through now. The first ten minutes, they start trembling and falling asleep. After awhile their temperature shoots up. Once they fall asleep, the next time they wake up they’re already someone we don’t know.” “So you’re saying?” “I’m saying.. What time is it? 11 pm? It’s been 3 hours and he’s still asleep in the trunk of his car. If he was turned it he would already be punching the roof.” “He had a really high fever though.” Kai said and Kris nodded. “First symptoms are those. O-Oh... Why are they stopping?” Kris asked, squinting at the red car that had stopped and U- the side of the road that was filled with rice paddies.   “Seems like they’re heading to that house.” Kai said, pointing to the house that was in the middle of the paddy. It was a small country house and it seemed that the members of the first car wanted to stay here overnight. Both cars moved towards the house and Kris parked the car behind the red one, grabbing a silencer. He waited and when the door of the red car opened, he got off as well. “Let’s stay here for the night. Find a place to put Tao.” Baekyoung said to Kris who looked like he was about to ask. “We’ve also been sitting for quite some time; let’s rest the car until morning.” “Here?” Kris looked at the two story house that did seem small, but who knew if it was safe? “I have to patrol around first. Is that a shed?” Kris asked and Baekyoung looked over to where Kris’ gaze was at.   There was a wooden shed located just around 150 meters right of the house. Th