The class was in the middle of a discussion when chaos erupted.

You were seated in your usual spot by the window, half-tuned in as your teacher droned on about the Industrial Revolution. The hum of the fan, the scribbling of notes, and the soft chatter were suddenly drowned out by a loud crash from the hallway — followed by blood-curdling screams.

Everyone froze.

Your phone buzzed violently in your pocket. You pulled it out with trembling hands.

EMERGENCY ALERT: EXTREME BIOHAZARD SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY DO NOT APPROACH INFECTED

Panic surged through your chest. Your eyes scanned the room, searching—Heeseung.

Your heart dropped.

He was near the door… and then, in an instant, he was gone — dragged away by another student whose face was twisted and bloodied, no longer human.

“HEESEUNG!” you screamed, but Minji yanked you back before you could chase after him.

You, Minji, Bahiyyih, Taesan, Ryujin, Gaeul and Hanbin bolted from the room, navigating the chaos as students ran in every direction. Blood smeared the hallway floors. You found an empty classroom and barricaded yourselves inside, stacking desks and chairs against the door.

Time passed slowly. Every second was a lifetime.

Then—a knock.

Everyone froze again.

“Open up, please.” A familiar voice—Soobin’s—muffled but clear. Another voice followed. Softer, breathless, broken.

“…We’re heeseung and soobin from class A.” heeseung said as they continued to knock.

You rushed toward the door, but Hanbin beat you to it, cautiously unbarring it.

The moment it cracked open, Heeseung burst through and pulled you into his arms. His chest was heaving. He was trembling. But he was alive.

And for now, that was enough.