Chunji thinks with his head, almost exclusively. He is logical and observant and brilliant, while L Joe thinks, almost entirely, with his heart. What he feels, he puts all of his faith into. It's an endearing characteristic, though not entirely practical. With Chunji, I’ve seen one exception to his 'no proof, not happening' thought process. One thing that he seems to have let slide under his radar, whether that be by choice or accident. 

L Joe.

Chunji looks at L Joe with such compassion and trust and...longing. He wants that boy more than I care to notice...because it's none of my business. It's like my mother and father dating, what concern is that, of mine? I wish them both the greatest happiness and if that includes getting it on behind a tree somewhere, than they can have at it. They were honestly kind of cute together. L Joe wouldn't stay calm unless Chunji was, somehow, touching him, which was an, oddly, cute tenancy. He behaves like an over protective boyfriend but with the stare of a father. Unfortunately. He watches nonstop but always in concern and admiration, never love or lust and that's how I realized what Chunji was thinking in that pretty little head of his. He knew, all too well, that L Joe's feelings for him were, and are, strictly platonic.

How horribly disheartening, to be the one person he cares for and wants to protect more than anything but there's little hope for more.

Why?

Don't ask me. Chunji is handsome, smart, cute, compassionate, everything L Joe could ever really want, or need, but there's no forcing it, I suppose. Still, watching them wake up, basically, hand in hand is nothing if not precious.

They had woken a while ago and now they were making a quiet conversation as Changjo, who apparently had fallen asleep, wakes up. It wasn't long after I woke that Changjo was stretching, noisily. I ignored his rousing, watching Chunji and L Joe turn to greet him, so I fallow suit and offer an overly friendly smile in hopes of a fresh start.

He basically ignores my grin and practically rolls his eyes but settles with dragging his tongue over his teeth in apparent annoyance.

My breath nearly caught in my throat at that, because he looks...damn. His dark eyes are hazy and unfocused but still somehow deep and y. His pink lips are barely open and offer a flash of his white teeth. His hair is disheveled and when long fingers shuffle through the dark red locks, in a pointless attempt to set the strands in place it makes me bite my lip in want. Breathtaking. 

I gasp too loudly, having apparently forgotten to breath and everyone's eyes land on me, making me laugh nervously when I meet Changjo's stare.

What am I doing? 

I'm embarrassed at my own thoughts but it's soon dismissed and I can relax. Not for long though because, for some reason I can't take my eyes off of him, or do I just not want to? I don't even think about it and keep my gaze as concealed as I can manage, until Chunji’s voice tears me away from my gawking.

“We don't have much food left.” He hums but I near jump out of my seat, making L Joe a concerned eyebrow, to which I offer a quick smile and play with my fingers, dismissively.

“How much is left?” Changjo mumbles and I choke on my own saliva at the raspy, disarming sound. His voice is liquid . What the , how did I miss that? I sigh to myself, closing my eyes in exasperation.

“Between the four of us...maybe a day or two.” Chunji replies as if I hadn't made a sound and I flash him a questioning look that he also seems uninterested in.

“We need to head toward dangerous territory then?” Changjo mumbles and I bite my lip again, not used to the sound.

“It would appear so.” L Joe groans but Changjo cuts it off.

“Chunji and Ricky should stay here. We'll come back for them and spend another night here.” My heart is running rampant by this point but I ignore it and let my eyes flash to his.

“Why here?” L Joe sneers at the idea, rubbing his shoulders in distaste.

“What? No, I have to come.” Chunji whines, making Changjo smirk halfheartedly and my heart sputters.

“It's easier with the two of us and we're safe here. Away from most danger, it's not a bad bunker.” L Joe scoffs and lays his head on Chunji's thighs, surprising the boy.

“Maybe but the concrete is ing up my back, Chunji's the most comfortable place to sleep but that isn't fair to him.” L Joe grumbles, making me chuckle but when they look to me I just lower my head.

“Yes, maybe so but where would you suggest we go?” L Joe doesn't move from his relaxed state and smiles when Chunji's fingers start caressing his hair.

“Chunji and I stayed in a cabin once or twice, as long as they're in a good area it isn't bad.” Changjo rolls his eyes at the boys behavior and shakes his head.

“But not permanent.” He finishes and L Joe shoots up.

“You want to stay indefinitely?” Changjo shrugs.

“I hear no better options.” L Joe scowls for a moment but scoffs, lying down once more.

“I'm looking for a good option, Changjo. We'll head out and hope for a shelter. Not to mention those ed up bastards are after Ricky and we aren't, anywhere near, far enough for them to give up the search.” I stiffen at L Joe's words and swallow too dryly, knowing he's exactly right.

“True.” Changjo takes a second to stare and me, which makes me fidget a bit and Changjo then stands. “I suppose we'll have to leave then. Let's look for food and head up toward Seoul, probably veer toward Chuncheon, it's far less populated.” Changjo thinks out loud, then nods. “Sound, okay?” None of use speak but he excepts it as an answer and collects his weapons. I immediately stand, surprising the others but I stare back as if nothing was out of the ordinary and they rise along with us.

“Lead the way captain.” L Joe smiles sarcastically and we follow the taller boy down the stairs.

It wasn't an eventful journey but it was a hell of a long one. I stuck too Changjo like glue but everyone seemed unfazed by it, I suppose believing it to be nerves and the fact L Joe hadn't, officially, forgiven me. It was obvious he had however, he was worried, definitely, maybe even a little distrusting but not angry, which was one less thing to deal with in our travels.

It must have taken a full twelve hours of trudging through woods or on unpopular pathways because by the time Changjo appears to even consider stopping, it was getting dark. My feet hurt like a , it was hot, humid, and my heart would beat out of my chest every time the tall red head looked in my direction but it was worth it when Changjo offered us a sketchy motel, just off an out of place highway, to spend the night in.

L Joe seemed enthralled at the prospect of a bed, we all were, but it would probably be short lived. By morning we'd be on foot again, unfortunately. Still, the creaking bed was a relief, along with a leaky tub that would suffice. We left early the next morning, considering we finally had a decent night sleep, and headed toward a small town a nearby in hopes of food and nothing else.

By the time we got to there it seemed promising. Definitely didn't get much attention, it was mostly intact and it appears whoever had lived here, didn't waste time staying but maybe this was wishful thinking. We were all on the lookout for a useful shelter, a home of some kind. Even though there was little protection provided by the suburb, it was too peaceful to not be appealing.

Changjo gave us an expectant look and we all stuck a little closer together as he headed toward a small general store. The taller boy seemed to have seamlessly taken lead over L Joe, who acts uninterested in the matter. It simply fell into place, seeing as we all trusted him for the most part and he handles himself well in unfamiliar territory.

We were too slow headed toward the market, Changjo was taking his sweet time scoping out the area. Maybe he was curious as far as shelter goes, as well but we showed up at our destination and Changjo looked back at us one last time, giving us a troubled look when he noticed the doors almost completely removed. He let us stick beside him, however, and they all pulled their guns, making me stare, too starry eyed, at the red head.

He was always too quick to pull his weapon if you ask me but it made him look kind of...hot. I wanted to stick close to his back, seeing as I have no weapon but that is too questionable and clingy so I settle for gripping the back of his shirt, making him stiffen for a moment but he relaxes and I blush at the contact.

Stepping into the store, I was immediately relieved at Changjo's tenancy to be trigger happy because there was a hoard. A swarm of undead staggering, suddenly very noisy in front of a closed off counter attacking something. I take a quick second to see the two anxious, apparently defenseless young men standing on the register's counter.

By the looks of it their weapons were out of ammo but that was irrelevant when the monsters turned to us. I fought off my urge to pull Changjo back as they began to come towards us. Piercing gunshot sounds echoed throughout the store, at least ten, making me flinch at every pop. Not all of those things had focused on us. Maybe three had kept a dreadful eye on the other boys, clawing relentlessly at the counter, trying to get over it but were being held off by both boys.

A strange gurgling sound started emanating from the cluster of zombies making us all confused and concerned. What the is that? Not a moment later a sickening clear, liquid was hacked from the creatures mouth making me want to gag at the smell of bile as it spewed from it's mouth. I gasped in horror but I was soon drowned out by the blood curdling screams of the boy at the counter. He was cradling his leg in pure anguish, almost losing his footing but suddenly he was supported, almost entirely, by the light haired, smaller boy beside him.

Changjo and L Joe have reloaded by now and release three more bullets on the creatures, sending them to a mess of mangled, half human limbs on the floor. The howls of pain didn't stop and the two didn't even spare us a glance when we approached them in hopes of pulling them away from the noisy area that was sure to bring more. Chunji was gawking in horror at the larger boy’s leg, and he swallows dryly, tucking his gun away to scurry around the store grabbing anything and everything he sees fit. The always logically, never emotionally, driven Chunji in action.

We stood our ground for a moment, I didn't fully understand the situation to be honest but the boys were both were in a panic, desperately trying to stop whatever that thing had done but all too soon Changjo's gun is lifted and pointed carefully at the dark haired boy in pain. Typical. I gape and try to pull his arm down but get little more than an icy glare.

“He's going to get infected.” Changjo hisses and as L Joe motions forward the light haired boy had a short but very lethal knife grazing Changjo’s neck. I had barley seen him move.

“Try it and see how far you get.” He threatened, fire seething in his eyes. L Joe quickly steps forward, taking control and scowls at Changjo.

“Whoa, everyone needs to calm down. You have no clue what that stuff was, we can't kill an innocent person without knowing more about the situation.” Changjo shakes his head.

“What do you expect me to do, L Joe? We have to protect our family and if we don't get rid of him now, his bodyguard will be lunch in a few hours.” L Joe again scowls, my breathing has stopped by now but I keep my fingers on Changjo's arm in a silent plea that he ignores.

“You aren't getting rid of .” The smaller boy snarls, gaining our attention and tightening his grip on his knife.

“Calm down please. What are your names?” Chunji suddenly appears, he's a little antsy and apparently wants to leave but he insists on making polite conversation, probably trying to calm things down. Way down.

“It doesn't ing matter. You aren't killing CAP.” Changjo shakes his head in exasperation, ignoring the knife still at his throat and keeps the gun pointed at CAP.

“We don't want to kill CAP. We aren't going to kill CAP, okay?” L Joe explains carefully but his eyes flash to Chunji and he sighs in contentment, grabbing the boy’s hand. “I thought you wouldn't kill.” L Joe a brow and I turn my attention to the now stiff Changjo.

“I hate to kill. I will refuse to kill at every occasion but I know when I have to kill.” Changjo's voice is surprisingly strained and L Joe notices, completely dropping the conversation.

“Changjo, we need to get the out of here or it's gonna be Hell.” Changjo nods, lowering his gun for a moment and the boy drops his knife and turns his attention back to CAP. I step toward the two boys, who are addressing CAP's wounds.

They're obviously horrible burns. Third degree, so deep in some areas I could see muscle, where massive chunks of flesh were missing. He's ed up. I have no clue what that was but it had the effects of fire, or acid. His skin was scorched, obvious burns were covering his thigh, as well as the palm of his right hand, making me flinch at horrible memories.

Changjo is walking out of the store by now, dismissing the boys completely but I stare after him, dumbstruck as I turn back and watch them fuss over the injury.

“Come on, we have to leave.” L Joe speaks and I'm grateful it isn't just to me. I turn to the boys who look unsure but the light haired one helps L Joe pull the injured boy to his feet.

The larger boy grinds his teeth in pain as they shuffle forward but we eventually get him out of the store with Chunji right behind us.

We soon ended up at worn down motel that I’d seen as CAP and I passed on the way through town. Getting CAP up the stairs wasn’t an easy feat but the blond was helping me haul CAP’s heavy to the second floor.

“L Joe.” He replied, smiling lightly at me.

“Why the would you want to bring him back here. We have maybe 6 hours and he's a goner.” He insist and my blood boils at his words. Deep down I knew he was probably right but that doesn’t mean he’s not pissing me off.

“You don't know that. He could just be-”

“Dead weight? Then it’ll just be harder.” The brat finishes, too sure of himself.

“He's right.” CAP speaks and I sit beside him in a hurry and growl.

“I didn’t ask you.” I cut, he chuckles lightly at my antics, knowing I was completely serious.

“Niel-”

“Hush, we need to dress your leg. You should relax. Did you bring anything to help?” I asked the quiet red head, who had a backpack or two full of goodies from the general store. He nods and steps forward, pulling out all of his first aid but the blond, L Joe, steps in behind him, pulling the boy back.

“Chunji-” He mumbles and Chunji looks up to meet his eyes as a silent agreement is met and Chunji continues to help me, while L Joe hovers over him. It’s obvious they're scared but I continue to be grateful for their help.

Chunji came up beside me and knelt down. He waited patiently as I slowly unwrapped CAP’s leg. I held back my cringe as his leg became exposed. Chunji let out a small gasp but continued to pull out the necessary items to patch him up.

I looked over at the things Chunji pulled out of the bags and saw a large bottle of peroxide. I reached for it figuring it was my only choice, his wounds needed to be sanitized. As I opened the bottle I met CAP’s stare and held it.

“You ready?” He nods as Chunji and I dampen towels with peroxide and I dab at his leg.

Moments later a heart wrenching scream is torn from his lip as everyone, myself included, jumped in surprise. Chunji took the lead and dabbed at his leg again, drawling another pained cry. I raised my hand again to touch his leg but faulted, my hands were shaking in horror. Chunji continued the dirty deed as I tried to block out his screams. I couldn’t look him in the eye, knowing we were causing him so much pain but I had to. Our eyes meet again and he manages a small smile.

“This is so ed up. What if he's doesn't make it?” The annoying boy growls, tugging at his hair, as if he feels remorse.

“Shut the hell up and let me fix this.” I insist, letting my eyes fall on the small boy in the corner, who was curled up into a meek fetal position.

I focused back on the devil incarnate and give him my best ‘ off’ glare, returning my attention to CAP with new resolve.

Chunji and I patched up CAP as fast as we could, continuing to do our best to ignore his shrieks. It took roughly and hour to get him cleaned, wrapped, and medicated even though I know he must feel like . All we could offer were some over the counter drugs, gauze and salve. It would have to do for now.

We then settled into an awkward silence as I focused on CAP’s labored breathing. I hated seeing him like this, though I can’t say it’s my first time.

I met him when I joined an intelligence agency three years before the world ended. I was a tact coordinator and weapons specialist. He was the director over my section, former military, very quiet and had an extremely off-beat demeanor. After he saved my life while we were on an assignment together, everything changed. It took a while for me to get through his tough exterior but well worth it.

Deep down he’s just a big goofy teddy bear, as well as my best friend, and I wasn’t letting him go without a fight. Without realizing it, I grabbed his injured hand, earning a gruff groan. I turn to face him, apologizing when his pleading stare stops me.

“If something happens to me I need you to promise, you'll stay with these nice young men and stay out of trouble. You're no good by yourself.” I immediately start shaking my head.

“He doesn't even think he's going to make it.” The red head scowls and I sigh too loudly, causing him to continue. “Just put the poor bastard out of his misery.” He chastises, pointing his gun, once again, at CAP. Without thinking, I rip the gun from his hands and dis-assemble it within a few seconds.

“Point a gun at him again and I promise it will be shoved up your-”

“NIEL!” CAP’s voice cut me off and I my teeth, in annoyance.

“What is he to you?” The red head asked with a hit of a smirk, giving me another reason to want his head detached from his body.

“Not what you're thinking. We've known each other since-”

“Don't.” I correct CAP's confessing words but he just, playfully, rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

“We're Intelligence. We're together as comrades. Companions. Survival partners, nothing else. Does that answer your question, you little ert.” CAP hisses out as he shifts on the bed. “You’d better hope I don’t die, Niel just might kill you if I do.” He elaborated with a wolfish smile. I roll my eyes and try to hold in my smile.

“You Idiot.”

“Intelligence? That could be helpful, right Changjo?” The little one in the corner chirps shakily. So, the brat has a name.

“Maybe.” He answers curtly, but there's border line annoyance in his voice.

“I don’t know why you just can’t face the truth and end it.” I stepped closer to him, fuming.

“Who are you to expect me to murder someone I care about? Do you know what it’s like to kill someone close to you?” I scowl and watched as his face hardened but his eyes soften in contrast.

“Yes.” He mumbles, backing away as if he didn’t just admit to murder. “I suppose I'm fighting all of you on this?” He paused, turning to Chunji with a smile tugging at his lips. “Chunji? What do you think?” There is some sort of emotion there. Admiration? Trust? Friendship? I'm not sure but when Chunji's eyes meet Changjo's we all feel the tension.

Finally we meet NAP!

So, what do you guys think? Sassy Niel. Cool, calm and sarcastic CAP. They're cool, right?

                                                                    Haha 

Sorry this update took so long!

I warned you though and I want to thank you for being patient. I want to update soon. Could be anytime in the next 4 days to be honest, I have no clue.

                Haha 

Do you guys want me to warn you, or should I just let you wait indefinitely?

                                           Haha 

Just as a heads up to my subbies, after 24 hours this chapter will be Ch. 12 and my last chapter (Author's note) will be deleted.

I know it's confusing but I'm OCD and unneeded chapters give me a headache. If it says “The Hunted 12”, then damnit it's going to be in the '12' spot!

              Haha

Anyways, I love you Dots!

Comment and Upvote!

Also, don't forget to leave mad props for my co-author as well. She wrote Niel's POV like a boss. Isn't she magnificent!