"A little more to the side.. no no left.. Perfect Ash!"
"You sound like a teacher,Yunjin." Ash chuckles. Stepping back to check their work. The 'S' for SOS is complete.
**
The 'O' is mine and Hanna's job, both of us working in silence with wooden scrap dropping being the only sound between us.
"Hanna, can I ask something about Mr Twat..?"
"Ask away." She continues getting wooden planks.
"Why did you tell him to come up the stairs even with what he did to you?"
She pauses then a sigh.
"I don't know, it's the way he looked at me.. like he was going to do worse if I didnt do something." She stops to look at me then splutters out. "I really didn't mean to of course! Also..I'm sorry for being selfish only thinking of my emotions then and not everyone else's here."
I continue working grabbing more wood.
"No I see where your coming from, just vent it all out Hanna. I'll listen, all night for how ever long you need."
"Guys! How's it coming over with your part here!"
Yunjin comes over practically jumping on Hanna to hold her from behind, arms around her shoulders. Hanna laughs softly.
"Easy there, we're done here." She turns to look at me with a soft smile then mouths.
"Let's talk tonight then."
I nod.
"Hey Alex we've stabled the door. I think? Not much we can really do anyways."
Chase calls over from the door. I walk over, stepping over wood on the way. The door's loose screws where either bashed back in with a block of wood or broken off. The door itself and handle seems attached, just enough but the frame is fragile.
"Seems good but I doubt it will last long if those zombies decide to give us a friendly vist."
"Ah your right." He scratches the back of his neck while looking down at his feet. "Mann it's not like we can get a new door or get rid of those zombies."
"Aww is poor Chase loosing hope."
"Shut up Yunjin!."
He barks out. She sticks her tongue out at him and shrugs with innocence before skipping off to Hanna.
He turns back to me.
"So Alex.. um what now? Were surrounded by zombies outside."
"We wait."
"Huh? Wait for what?"
"Once the SOS sign is done we set a fire then wait for help to come."
"Oh right."
"Uhm..what if no one comes for us?"
I turn to Sieun who was listening to us talk.
"What do you mean dude."
Chase faces him.
"Like what if everyone's already gone or they think some highschool kids are not worth it?" He fidgets with his fingers.
"Your too negative man!"
Chase laughs softly and hits his back.
"No, he is right to worry, but we have to try first, and if it doesn't work we'll figure it out from there."
Sieun nods finding closure in my response.
"Thanks Alex, your actually pretty smart."
"Uh thanks?" Is he calling me dumb?
"Just didn't think with your grades and stuff, but you make a good leader!"
Right my grades where really shit. Wait a leader!? No no I could never.
"Fair point, but I'm no leader."
My hand waves dismissively.
"But you are.. without you none of us could have survived the classroom yesterday?"
"He's right Alexiee! So far your ideas are keeping us alive."
Ash jumps at me from behind arms around my shoulders making me stumble briefly.
"What's with the random jumps always?"
"Your just so comfortable to jump on!" She giggles.
"Right?"
"Anyways, what now leader Alexiee!?"
"I'm not a leader Ash.."
"Shh and accept it."
Her finger places on my lips. I sigh letting her be. It feels weird being called a leader when I've only known these guys for a day now. I doubt I'd be a good leader aswell with how self centered I am. Yes, I am self aware at least.
"We've finished the SOS!!"
Yunjin waves from the other side. Hanna fixing it up.
"Let's make that fire now!"
Chase grins and gets his lighter ready.
"Where you get that lighter from?" Yunjin points out.
"I smoke, used to though."
"Figured you do"
"Hey!"
She shrugs then tosses some wood in the fire.
**
"When will help comeee!"
Ash groans looking up at the sky. "It's been hours!!"
"Mabye they left us? What if they all died? Or they what if they want to hog supplies? What if the helicopter crashes?"
"Sieun. Relax dude." Chase ruffles his hair.
"I am relaxed.. tell them Hyun."
Hyun nods while rubbing Sieuns hand. Seems like a normal occurrence with how relaxed Hyun is.
"Mann, I'm thirsty."
Yunjin whines stretching out of the floor next to our fire.
"Here I have some left."
Hanna gives her bottle to her. "Not too much though."
"Ahh of course, your a life savior Hannoo!"
"Hannoo?"
"Yes! It's my new name for you. Hannoo!"
Hanna laughs softly.
"You weirdo."
Chase laughs.
"HAHAHA! Yunjin got called a weirdo by Hanna."
He taunts not seeing their friendly banter.
"Shut up Chase! I actually can talk to her without stuttering every five seconds."
She wipes her mouth with her backhand, handing the water back to Hanna.
"Hey- but. Nevermind."
"She got you there Chase."
Ash laughs Yunjin joining her laughter.
"Don't laugh at my misery!"
I can't help but let out a soft chuckle myself.
"Not you too Alex!"
He whines making them laugh harder.
**
It's evening now, sun setting and the smoke from the fire still rising up, waiting to be seen by any helicopters passing. Our sign on the floor is big, hard to miss, taking most of the roof space leaving us in the top corners of the roof.
The sound.. helicopter in the distance, I hear it, I know it is. Immediately I stand up.
"You guys hear that too?"
I ask, making sure I'm not hallucinating again.
"Hm?" Hanna sits up rubbing her eyes.
"A HELICOPTER!!!"
Yunjin practically jumps around Ash and Chase matching her energy. All three now pointing and squealing at it.
"Well that's one way to attract it here."
I chuckle softly while grabbing a wooden plank reaching the tip in the fire to make a torch, holding it up hoping the helicopter will see.
"Woah smart Alexiee."
Ash grabs one then others follow suit. All seven of us holding slim planks on fire waving then around.
The helicopter comes in sight coming from the main city.
"Almost.."
I wave my fire more.
It seems to notice and change the course to us.
"Is it coming to us!?"
"Well nah, Chase."
"Well excuse me for asking, Yunjin."
"Do you two ever stop, even when we're about to be rescued?"
Ash laughs still waving fire around.
"Not possible." They both say in sync.
"At least you both agreed for once."
Hanna giggles.
The helicopter gets closer.
"Finally! Warm showers here I come!"
Yunjin fawns.
"So close.."
It's right there.. Just a little more.
"What."
Right infront of all us, the helicopter just a mere few meters away from our school blows up? The helicopter on fire as all of us watch our freedom burn.
We all freeze not knowing what to say or comprehend.
I laugh, slowly, almost manic.
I understand now.
There is no escape, there never has been.