Chapter Text
Part One: Lost
He awoke to a flashing fluorescent red alarm above his bed. He rapidly got up and made his way to the door to assess the situation. It wasn’t uncommon for the rapid alarm to blare in the middle of the night once every fortnight or so, not that he could tell one day from another, when someone was trying to escape.
He pounded on the door once to try and get the attention of one of them. Usually they came rapidly to tell him to stop making such a racket and go head to bed. To his surprise, no one came this time.
He heard the starting of faint screaming at the edge of the hallway and other footsteps scrambling. He wanted to know what was going on, hoping the door was somehow unlocked by a miracle, he pushed down on the handle.
The door opened and he found himself surrounded by more pounding red light dimming his line of vision. He felt the instantaneous cold of the lab and the smell of chemicals that will forever burn into his mind. His mind was pounding with a headache that seemed to last forever and burn at his temples. The screaming got closer and the red lights seemed to burn into his eyes more than ever.
He felt unstable, as if he could barely control himself at all. His brain seemingly did not cooperate with the rest of his body.
He finally exited his room entirely and as the cold pushed into his skin, giving him goosebumps, he continued to walk closer to the origin of the sound. His footsteps led him to that room.
The room that no one but them was allowed to enter.
The room where the blue flowers bloomed, beautiful and heeding an extreme warning that he couldn’t fathom to remember.
He looked through the window and he saw a gruesomely alluring sight. The blue flowers that smelled so heavenly, of the temptation of the spring breeze filled with pollen and where the flowers have their first bloom on a sunny day were suddenly covered in a crimson spray.
The door was miraculously opened as well.
He entered and was immediately hit with the smell of iron. The smell was so bewitching to his senses. The last bit of control he had was seemingly lost. The water sprinklers above the room had been activated and sprayed the liquid on to his body. He felt himself fall to his knees surrounded by the flowers.
He felt he needed to consume the flower, like a stranger in the back of his head yelling at him continuously to devour the tiny garden that had been set up.
He slowly reached his arm out to the garden and grabbed a singular flower.
As soon as he felt the flower come into contact with his body, it was as if something had given him a boost of invigoration.
He quickly brought the flower to his lips, as soon as the scent hit him, he was reminiscent of what was seemingly the most heavenly thing he had ever smelled in his life. A smell he could get addicted to quickly.
He chewed at the flower slowly before swallowing. He felt as if his body was reborn.
He felt his body rapidly gaining strength and he felt like nothing could stop him and so came the voice in his head louder than ever and with it brought memories.
Memories of him creating a machine that could set off the fire alarm when the timer ended. Filling the water sprinklers with the blood of one of the female scientists he had managed to lure away from the others. Him stealing the keys and opening his door when he knew they wouldn’t check.
Unlocking the door of every monster they ever made and locked up here to experiment on and lure them to the scientists quarter of the building before heading back to his room, knowing the bright red lights and aggravating sound would set them off and he would have time to head to these flowers.
These flowers that fueled his entire being and made him what he was.
The scientists also made him what he was, though for that they would pay with carnage.
He slowly walked out of the room that heeded danger and with him was a duffle bag that carried the root of his instability.
As the red lights flashed and the screams loudened he made his way out of the building that ruined everything that was him. Everything that made him the person he used to be. Everything that was solely Jungkook and had been taken away from his identity as a human being.
He didn’t feel anything like the person he once was.
He would never feel the way he once did.
Never again.
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Present time
The flowers were in full bloom during this time of Spring. Jungkook often found himself looking outside his window in the early mornings or mid afternoons to watch in awe of the world around him. He always loved the scents of the spring. The pollen surrounding his senses and the beautiful scenery of flowers blooming. It was his happiness at a peak and he couldn’t imagine his world where the flowers didn’t bloom and the sun didn’t shine brightly in his face.
Jungkook loved the world and all the opportunities it had to offer. He loved to view the world through his eyes and the beauty to be captured in the moment with his camera. He took photos of his surroundings with such care and precision. There was no doubt he held such love for this world. He needed to capture the essence of the beauty of a flower that was barely blooming with the sun shining in its face giving it life, or the Orchid tree that swayed in the wind forming a tornado of pink petals around the ground.
Jungkook was surrounded by the petals and a camera glued to his hand as took as many pictures as his heart desired. This was his sole dream and aspiration and now he finally felt like he was living.
Jungkook awakened to the sound of his school alarm blaring loudly in his ear as he groaned to himself. The bed was nice and warm and he was confined to his comfort. He quickly turned off the alarm and got himself up from his bed.
This was his last week of high school before he would graduate and finally be free to study his passion for photography. There was something so beautiful and serene about being able to capture a picture that is worth millions of words.
His parents didn’t want that for him and so they have fought him every step of the way but the decision was made in his head. He would likely get shunned but to him photography was worth it and he would prove it to his family, though he did love his parents.
He quickly got ready for school and put on his uniform in his preferred style of a loosened necktie and sleeves rolled up to his elbow. He packed his camera in his backpack and slipped it on his shoulders. He walked out of his room to find his parents and elder brother sitting at the table ready to eat breakfast.
He quickly exited the house ignoring his brother’s pleads for him to eat breakfast and started walking to his school.
His brother was everything to him. There was no other person in this world he cared more about. Jonghyun always had his back and was his rock, but on this matter Jungkook wouldn’t be swayed by anyone.
He took a scenic route to school and walked past the beautiful trees of spring. The breeze was surrounding him and blowing his dyed red hair out of his face. It reminded him of his dream as he walked solemnly passed by the trees.
After about an hour he had made it to school late and snuck into his class, though he was caught and was forced to stand outside of the classroom until the lesson was over. When he was allowed to get back inside his classroom he spotted his best friend.
Taehyung had dyed blonde hair with dark roots already starting to shine through. His head was down in his arms as he sat in his seat. His hair shone beautifully as the sun showered him with its light. His lightly tanned skin seemed to be without imperfections.
Jungkook went to his seat right behind Taehyung and sat down quietly while still observing his best friend slightly. When Taehyung sprung up and noticed Jungkook was finally at school.
“Well look who decided to show up today and see his best friend after weeks” inquired Taehyung dramatically as he moved his hand to his heart and clutched his shirt tightly as if he was in pain.
“You know I’m always late anyways, especially now that graduation is coming and I don’t feel like being here much anymore” Jungkook explained while setting his stuff down on his desk.
Taehyung pretended to look shocked, “Not even to see Yoona? Oh the tragedy” he said with a smirk playing on his lips.
Jungkook sighed thinking about his girlfriend and how… persistent she could be. “I’ll see her later at the shop even if I couldn’t see her at school. You know how she always expects me to go there and take pictures of her models”.
“Well maybe you should start charging her or something for the pictures. Anyways though, have you heard about some weird virus that’s going around in hospitals. The government has it on the low but I don’t know it seems suspicious to me” Taehyung pulls his phone out of his desk and shows Jungkook the news.
Jungkook looks at Taehyung while laughing to himself, “Come on Taehyung you know that they have been saying stuff like that for the past couple months. It’ll be fine, come on let's head to get lunch”.
Taehyung’s worried look dims slightly from his face as he focuses on his best friend. “Yeah you’re right, it’ll be fine” he sighs.
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They walk outside of a coffee shop and go to find Yoona. School had ended not long ago and Taehyung decided to go with Jungkook to the Photography shop that Yoona works at.
She is a makeup artist and she wants to ensure that the model's beauty is captured in the picture. Though Jungkook has told her many times he prefers to take pictures of nature she remains insistent, so he goes along with it.
They finally reach the entrance of the photography shop and when Jungkook is barely pushing the door to open it Yoona comes running to his side. She greets him with a short and simple kiss on the lips before walking Jungkook over to the latest models she wants him to photograph.
Taehyung gives him a slightly sad and all knowing look as he is forcibly pushed along to follow as well.
When they finally finish with taking photos and are able to start heading home they all converse with slightly awkward small talk. Yoona mostly just talks about her and Junkook’s future after graduation at the end of this week and he pretends to accept the future she has planned.
Jungkook and Yoona had met in middle school and dated since the beginning of high school. He doesn’t wish for the things she has planned but can’t say no to her when they are just… so comfortable where they are now. Taehyung is the only one who knows how he feels and gives Jungkook slightly disappointed looks everytime he goes along with whatever she says.
“Is she your keeper or what, are you not capable of thinking for yourself for once!” Junkook remembers that fight with Taehyung and how their friendship was on a tightrope of back and forth with careful words after that. He didn’t understand why it was such a huge deal to Tae and why he seems to give Jungkook a look he can never decipher whenever Yoona is around holding his hand or kissing him on the lips.
When they finally meet halfway of their shared street where Jungkook walks left and Taehyung goes right, Yoona lets Jungkook know she let her parents know she was going to have dinner with Jungkook and his family. As simple as it has always been, Yoona goes with Jungkook towards his house and turns back to see Taehyung.
Taehyung was already looking back at Jungkook with a deep frown on his face. When they meet eyes Taehyung looks at Yoona and back at him then scoffs before turning away towards his house down the street.
The week passes by like nothing with all the preparations for the graduation ceremony coming. His parents and him had come to land in a comfortable area with all the joy for graduation coming. He has dinner with his family and they laugh and connect about what the future could bring.
The news grows increasingly more concerned with talk of a virus that is rapidly killing people. Taehyung comes into his mind, the talk they shared briefly during class about the virus and how ridiculous it had been at the time. Jungkook doesn’t want to focus on all the bad in the world when his future is barely beginning. He doesn’t like to think about Tae and how they soon have to choose different paths in life, he can’t fathom a world without his best friend.
Saturday has finally arrived and so has his graduation. The beginning of the day goes so smoothly and he feels like he has grown a little more into an adult, more mature as the air seems to be more freeing after walking the stage and leaving the school for the last time.
He walks the stage and takes pictures with his friends and Yoona. His parents and brother congratulate him and give him gifts and compliment him for his achievement of finishing high school.
The gift was a beautiful camera that he had his sights on since he first discovered his passion for photography. He was never so grateful and happy to accept such a wonderful gift that came with one meaning in his mind.
His parents had finally accepted who he wanted to be, and they supported him.
He went out with Taehyung and Yoona to eat on the last night of their high school years. They chatted about their experiences and all the little memories they had kept in the vaults in their heads.
When it was time for them to finally head home the moon was full and hung brightly in the sky. It was a beautiful sight that made Jungkook feel a sort of revolutionary feeling of what was to come. It was beautiful and made him feel like he owned the world, even if just for that moment in time. They continued to walk in the moonlight when Yoona suddenly got a call and left them alone for a moment while she went to talk to her parents.
Taehyung stopped walking and grabbed onto Jungkook’s arm to stop him from walking as well. Jungkook turned back to look at Taehyung, who was already looking at him again with that look he couldn’t decipher.
“What’s up Tae? Why do you look so serious?” Jungkook exclaimed confused as to why his best friend was seemingly acting weird.
“I really need to tell you something Jungkook and I have this gut feeling that this could be the last chance I ever get.” Taehyung's words hit Jungkook in the gut with a slight feeling of dread starting to pool in his stomach.
Jungkook just nodded and waited for Taehyung to say whatever he needed to get off his chest.
“Sometimes I feel like the way we care about each other is so special, you know? We have been together since elementary school and inseparable for an even longer time. We always spend time together and even though you are dating Yoona, it doesn’t really ever feel like you love her. What I'm trying to tell you is I think I'm in lo-” Suddenly Taehyung got cut off with the sound of Yoona’s footsteps coming back.
Jungkook was unable to decipher what Taehyung meant, ‘did Taehyung like Yoona?’ he thought to himself. He was so confused and desperate for answers but decided to just ask him tomorrow.
When they reached the middle of the street where they went their separate ways, Jungkook and Yoona faced Taehyung with their backs facing the street they were soon to descend upon.
They were going to say goodbye, but why did it seem so final to Jungkook? It was such a serious atmosphere that it felt like the tension was going to crush his heart. He hadn’t realized his breathing had stopped.
“Goodbye Jungkook.” said Taehyung with a sad smile on his face as he turned to begin walking down the street. Before Jungkook was able to respond though, he heard a weird shuffling growing sound behind him.
He felt his heart drop. ‘Was someone about to ambush them? Are they going to be the next victims in a murder documentary?’ The questions rush through his head at rapid speed trying to figure out what he should do next or if he should even turn to face the noise.
Before Jungkook could even process his next thought, suddenly the growling got louder. Yoona turned slowly to look at him, her eyebrows straight and her mouth hanging slightly open as the fear overtook her face.
It all happened so fast after that.
The human… creature? Jumped on Yoona and bit her neck as if it had been starving. Jungkook could only hear her piercing screams as they echoed down the street and his eyes widened to look for Taehyung.
Taehyung had turned back to watch the monstrosity happen and looked as though he wanted to help before his eyes suddenly opened wide and he saw the creature. He ran down the street with a sorry look that Jungkook felt he could understand, although it still hurt to see his best friend leave him behind in this awful situation.
Jungkook was stuck for a moment as the creature continued to bite Yoona and her blood squirted from her neck almost animatedly. It felt like he was in some horror movie that was unfolding in front of his very eyes.
He knew he couldn’t help her, what could he even do in this moment that wouldn’t lead to his impending death as well?
He ran in the direction of his house after contemplating what to do. Yoona looked at him with such a pained disbelieving look before her eyes seemingly glazed over. He had gotten a good look at the monster that was currently feasting on Yoona.
The man and his skin had black veins bulging in his skin. His eyes were deadshot and there was fluid leaking out of his ears and nose.
The smell was putrid.
Like expired rotting meat that was left in the sun for far too long.
He nearly puked after getting hit with the horrid scent.
Jungkook wanted to yell his apologies for leaving her alone there in her final moments, but his only thought was to get back to his family quickly before finding out what could possibly be going on. (and relief that Taehyung was able to get away)
Jungkook made it to his front door and quickly grabbed his key to open the lock. His hands were shaking so rapidly from fear and adrenaline that he dropped the key. He cursed and quickly went to pick it up off the floor when he noticed the creature was making his way to him after finishing off Yoona.
It was over for him. He dropped the key and had officially screwed himself.
Jungkook closed his eyes and waited to accept his fate as a dead man when suddenly he heard a door open and felt a hand rapidly pull him into the house and away from his imminent doom.
He opened his eyes and saw his brother and immediately let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding.
Worry written all over his face was evident and Jungkook wanted to explain the series of events that had just unfolded but his brother had a similar look on his face as if he knew what Jungkook was going to explain.
When they reached the safety of the inside of their house he let out a deep breath. His brother had the news on and Jungkook was able to hear the newscaster.
“Please stay inside your houses. This is not a drill, the virus experts are now calling “envixem” is highly contagious and causes death within 30 minutes. It had started killing off people early this year and the government was searching for a cure hoping it wouldn’t become a threat. If you get bit please tell your loved ones you love them before you turn into a monster that will kill them as well.” Jungkook stood shocked.
Jonghyun had turned off the television and looked at his brother, eyes filled with worry and sorrow before he spoke, “Mom and dad haven’t come home yet.” Jungkook could hear the unspoken words that were sure to be next.
“Mom and dad haven’t come home yet, and I’m not sure they ever will.” Jungkook felt as if his world was collapsing.
Not even 30 minutes earlier he felt like a king with his new found freedom and already his world was threatening to collapse underneath him. He solemnly looked at his brother before walking to his room.
This isn’t possible. This is complete insanity and not Jungkook’s reality. He was so close to having the world be his oyster for everything to just fall apart in minutes. Life was unfair and Jungkook was starting to have his doubts on this world and what the future would bring, if there even was a future to be in.
He sits in silence for hours. He hears more screams fill the streets and the growling of the zombies. He thinks about Taehyung and how the goodbye was one he hadn’t returned and now probably never could, though he wishes he was safe. He thinks about his 4 year girlfriend who got attacked right in front of his very eyes and how he was a coward that just ran away.
Wouldn’t someone who loved another protect them or try harder for them? Why didn’t he try harder for Yoona and why had he looked for Taehyung at that moment? Why was he such a terrible person who couldn’t do anything in the face of fear?
Jungkook spiraled more into his own thoughts before his brother came in and told him it was time for dinner. His brother was the only one he was sure he had left and he couldn't let anything happen to him. So long as his brother was with him, they had to care for each other.
All his questions could ponder for longer, though Jungkook was sure he wouldn’t answer them. As he headed to the dinner table all he could think was that he shouldn’t have told Taehyung it would be fine, when everything was not alright anymore, when nothing could ever be alright again.