Chapter 96 - The Girl Wants to Be M*rdered

〈 Episode 96 〉 888. The Chapter of the Girl and the Zombie (8) * * * The inside of the market was so dark that without a flashlight, one couldn't see an inch ahead. I had heard that large discount stores often minimize windows to prevent visitors from checking outside and stopping shopping. Naturally, the market wouldn't turn on the lights just for the four of us, and we had to navigate through darkness so dense we couldn't even easily make out the figure of the person right in front of us. Even in the scariest haunted houses, there's at least enough light to see what’s ahead. There are no zombie-like creatures where the slightest touch means you're out, but still. What could we do? Like a squid fishing boat luring squid with bright lights, we reluctantly turned on the flashlight, aware that its faint beam would attract any zombies nearby. I didn’t want to turn it on either, but we had no other choice since we couldn't see anything at all. Sure, those drawn by the light could come for us, but we concluded that the immediate, visible danger was less deadly than the lurking threats in the pitch-black darkness. Our goal wasn't to avoid detection by zombies. Even if we got caught and had to fight, we intended to grab supplies and make it back. And if being in danger was inevitable, it was better to face a danger we had a chance of handling. It was preferable to this situation, rather than the uncertainty of not knowing when or where our enemies might pop out, to the awareness of the direction from which they were approaching. Regardless, even if we used this light, the zombies I knew would likely be able to locate us by the slightest sound of our footsteps. ...Well, it might seem like bicycling against traffic out of fear of oncoming cars, but that was just how it felt. All we could do was hope not too many of them would come charging in. ─Step, step. "........." "........." Step by step, on guard for zombies that might suddenly leap out from a corner. We clenched our weapons tightly with both hands and cautiously made our way inside the market. After ten minutes of searching, we came to a shocking realization. And that was— ─Click. "No zombies are here?" "Seems like it. Did they all leave?" It was a surprising fact that there were no zombies inside this vast market. Just to be sure, we adjusted the flashlight to its maximum brightness. Even that wasn't satisfactory, so Yeon Yi, standing next to me, stomped her foot as a test. [.....................] "...Are they really not here?" "...Let's wait just a little longer, Hwa Min." For the past two months, we'd been listening to the dreadful sound of what seemed like the wailing of corpses all night long, but now nothing. Moreover, we heard none of the gruesome sounds that used to immediately follow any hint of movement—like mutilated flesh striking hard surfaces, nor did we hear the unpleasant noise of clashing teeth, which was so often heard through the window. The interior of the market, pitch dark, was eerily silent. To some extent, this result was anticipated. Of course, it was akin to tossing a coin and predicting the outcome would be heads or tails—either the market would be swarming with zombies or it would be almost deserted. But it was expected nonetheless. "...Well, it's a relief if they're gone." That was because it had already been two months since the zombie outbreak began. Apart from specialized buildings like schools and hospitals, this market likely saw the most foot traffic when the outbreak occurred. Thus, like the tragedies at schools or hospitals, it was one of the first places to become a hellish scene, as oblivious people fleeing were overtaken by zombies. Seeing no trace of resistance, such as makeshift barricades or empty canned goods, it's likely that people in the market were swept away without a fight by the incoming zombies on that first day. And now, much time has passed, and the zombies that once roamed the market possibly left after hearing survivors moving outside, which makes sense. Yeon Yi had even suggested such a scenario before we came to the market, listing out various possibilities. Were the smear-like trails on the floor remnants from dragging something, left from back then? Probably, they were traces left by the zombies as they moved. And if so— "That's great for us." Our course of action was clear. In the past, we hesitated at the thought of raiding convenience stores while fleeing school, fearing repercussions. We used to worry about the law and criminal records although we couldn't guarantee the immediate continuity of our lives. However. "Let’s take everything." "Um... I think the food shelves are over that way, seniors." "Can't we just take the entire market? Seems a waste." This time, no one hesitated. '...Oh, shall we just all die together?' It wasn't merely because the world had already ended, so there was nothing left to care about. ─Poke. '...Did I lose?' 'Hihi. Finally beat you, Yeon Yi!' 'Oh, Hee Ah beat Yeon Yi? Our Hee Ah is smart!' Or perhaps it was because there was something precious and meaningful that could not be measured by values set by others, like sin or morality. "...From here, down below..." Yeon Yi, the youngest among us, had begun to calculate roughly where the items we needed were within the building using the layout. "Hey, Hwa Min. Don’t forget Hee Ah." Jeong Eun, who had the least composure among us, swung a wooden stick in the air a couple of times, then proudly showed me the bag on her back with a thumbs-up. And then. "...This is crazy." Seeing how much they had changed, I couldn't help but chuckle wryly. Somehow, these kids had all become quite reliable. It was like we had turned into some kind of criminal gang. And so. ─Click. "Come on, Hee Ah, let’s head over there." "...Alright, I got it." Covering Hee Ah's hand, which was gripping my clothes in the silence, her gaze fixed on the oppressive darkness, I followed everyone into the part of the market where food was displayed. ** Just as squids automatically move their tentacles toward the bright light pouring from the surface of the water. Like moths flying towards the flames of a fire, believing it to be the guiding moonlight. From afar, we'd look at them and click our tongues at their foolishness, or someone might question their stupidity, wondering why they are deceived by such crude imitations. But truly, the ones most aggrieved are none other than these creatures. Because those who could say "this isn't the answer" had already been deceived themselves. They were all dead. There isn’t anyone left to say they’ve been deceived because the moment you realize you’ve been tricked, you're no longer the one deceived. There are only people in this world who haven’t yet been deceived and those who already are. So everyone steadfastly believes that they aren’t deceived. Saying, "I haven’t been fooled." Insisting, "My choice is the right one." But, I wonder. Who is actually caught? Who is truly deceived? ['........' '...........ㅏ' '.........ㅏㅏ' '...ㅏ.......ㅏ.....' '.............' '......ㅡ......ㅏ......' '......ㅜ...ㅣ' '..............' 'ㅡ.....ㅡ........' '.............ㅣ' '........ .' '.........ㅏ, ㅏ....' '..............' '............'］ In a way akin to fishermen waiting for fish to enter the trap below the water’s surface. Like anglers hoping fish will finally bite the hook dangling above the bait. Watching quietly from the shadows. ['''''''''''''.........................'''''''''''''］ Facing countless pairs of eyes that felt devoid of any life. I mumbled quietly to myself. "─Smart." "...Hee Ah, are you scared?" Squeeze. A small wrinkle formed in the cloth that I was gripping. "It’s alright, Hee Ah. We've got a gorilla— 'You brat!?' —ahead. Your sisters will handle everything, so don’t worry." "Mm... I believe in you, sister." Did she hear my mumbling? Whether she did or not, Hwa Min seemed to think I was scared and placed her hand over mine gripping her clothes. Feeling that warmth, I felt reassured but also pondered briefly about the things to come. Afraid, yes. Testing that short word with cautious reverence, as if rolling a grape on my tongue. ..... Yeah. Perhaps, she’s right. Maybe I am scared. Afraid that I might not witness their beautiful faces again. Afraid of being unable to accompany them as they navigate and persevere through every challenge, moving forward even in this dark world. Truly. "─Scared." And regretful. So deeply regretful. And so, very carefully. I followed them into the interior of the market, where zombies awaited. ** * * *