Chapter Text
The morning had been lovely, the light streaming in gently with the fond chatter between the two of you.
“I’m sure today will be great,” You reassured your husband as you readjusted his tie, smiling lightly, sleep still dotting your gaze.
“Board meetings do have a habit of being the life of the party don’t they?” He chuckled, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“I can’t wait.” You joked, stifling your laughter. “Don’t have too much fun.”
“I’ll try,” He gave your hand a fond squeeze, letting go as if it was the hardest thing he had to do.
And perhaps in retrospect, it was.
Eventually, throughout the day you had turned on the television, finding that everything began to shift.
Everything seemed very quiet at first, only a few reports of odd behavior and little bursts of odd sickness.
But then it all began to fall apart.
Videos of these ‘diseased’ people roaming about in hospitals and on the streets surfaced rapidly, the ‘infected’ quickly amounting into small groups as those who attempted to help were promptly bitten.
And those who were bitten began to turn.
It wasn’t immediate, but sometimes quick as recordings of those turning started to be revealed, their bodies contorting and limbs unhinging with hoarse gasps and almost animalistic movements.
But oddly enough, they still maintained their voices.
They’d let out whimpers or calls for help, clawing at the ground wildly.
And when people kindly stepped forward to help, they too were dragged in.
As simple as that.
Everything could be done.
Traffic was backed up for miles, many just leaving their cars in frustration, desperately trying to avoid the growing masses.
The regular world seemingly stopped.
That was easily enough to leave you scrambling for your phone, calling Jumin.
He had answered thankfully,
“Hello dear, is anything wrong?”
“H-Have you watched the news?” You bit your lip, pacing about the living room, avoiding glancing out the window.
“No, why?”
“T-There’s something happening. I need you to come home. Now.”
“What’s happening?”
“People they’re uh…t-they’re getting s-sick.”
“What do you mean?”
“I-It’s like they’re dying but t-they’re not dead, t-they’re attacking people.” You swallowed hard, your body trembling. “I-I need you to come home. I-It’s not safe there.”
“The board meeting is about to start love, are you sure about this-”
His voice cut off, Jahee’s words flowing in from the other line.
“Sir, the others are waiting for you in the conference room, are you ready?”
“Um, just a moment. Can you please show me the news?”
“Of course.”
You heard remnants of the recordings you watched, heartbeat speeding by the second.
Your husband cursed beneath his breath, listening to his words become shaky and unsteady.
“I’m assuming most main routes are backed up?”
“For miles.”
“That’s where the majority of them are correct?”
“The infected?” Jahee asked. “Correct.”
“Transit shut down?”
“For the time being.”
Jumin huffed. “I”ll be there as soon as I can…”
Crying and sobs for help came on from the other line, numerous words popping in.
“They’re coming…” He murmured.
Those sobs became mixed with shrieks and yelps.
“Assistant Kang, follow me. We need to leave immediately.” He replied. “How long will it be until we reach my home? Maybe twenty minutes?”
“Perhaps a l-little over.”
You listened to the stairwell door open, echoes erupting throughout the long winding room.
“Darling please, please be careful. We’ll be there as soon as we can. Whatever you do, do not leave the penthouse. Do not.”
“I-I w-won’t.” You shriveled back, lowering the phone as you heard the wails out of the window. “P-Please be careful. P-Please- please come home.”
“I will, I promise.”
And as much as that lifted a weight off your shoulders, something still clearly lingered.
Something much more physical.
As what frightened you the most now was what waiting on the other side of the front door.
For just beyond there was a quiet, whimper.
And a clawing at the door.