Red Dot - 26

– Chapter 26 –

– Day 2

Awakening from a deep slumber, Junseong had to stifle a gasp as his entire body screamed in pain.

“Ugh…”

From shoulders, arms, hands, legs to the soles of his feet—there was no place without pain.

‘I should have exercised in reality.’

Rather than blaming the muscle pain that dominated his entire body, Junseong scolded himself for neglecting exercise, using the excuse of being diligently alive in his dreams.

‘But I haven’t dreamed in a while.’

He wondered.

During the real-life ordeal, he had thought that he might have the recurring dream again. If it had happened, he intended to intentionally manipulate time to test how he could safely send Hanseo to the place where the vaccine research was conducted. However, it didn’t occur.

Still, not dreaming this time made him feel refreshed after a sound sleep. Despite the soreness, his mind was clear and invigorated.

Junseong decided to start with a quick shower and mentally organize the tasks he had for the day.

Leaving his younger sister and her friends at the shelter and facing the tunnel filled with zombies, most of them would probably gather at the vehicle base tunnel of Gean Station. However, they could expand their range of movement, and there might be new variables causing zombies to wander around.

The only fortunate thing was that he had kept the zombies far away from the shelter. Unless something extraordinary happened, the shelter where his sister and her friends were would likely remain safe.

‘That man should bring the kids back safely.’

Though there were discrepancies between the paths he had taken and the dream, the external situation should still be unfolding similarly. So, the bald man who would depart from the outside six days later and arrive at the shelter in the tunnel would probably take the people inside to the hospital, just like in the dream.

Still, it was somewhat regrettable.

‘If I had arrived today as planned, I could have sent Hanseo and the others on the rescue helicopter right away.’

Today was the day the first rescue helicopter would arrive at the Inhan Red Cross Hospital. Originally, Junseong planned to send three people on that helicopter. Conveniently, three spots would be vacant.

‘Nothing can be done. Might as well take Hanseo to the helicopter today…’

“Um…”

While organizing his thoughts, he suddenly heard a soft groan from beside him. Junseong looked with surprised eyes in the direction of the sound.

Hanseo, naked, was lying on the bed right next to him. And that bed was specifically given to him, considering his size.

‘What is this guy doing…?’

Certainly, Junseong had suggested he use the bed that fit his build and even provided him with a spacious room, so why was he not sleeping there and lying next to him? Due to this, Junseong found himself sandwiched between the wall and Hanseo on the other side. The bed was originally designed for one person.

“Do Hanseo.”

He called out, but all he got in response was a low, “Hmm,” indicating a groan. Seeing Hanseo sleeping peacefully with a comfortable expression, Junseong felt hesitant to wake him. So, he decided to get off the bed himself.

Trying to get up by pulling off the blanket, suddenly, Hanseo’s arm reached out, wrapping around Junseong’s chest and pulling him back down.

“Ugh!”

Due to the shock, his shoulders and arms screamed again. Frowning, Junseong turned his head, and as he did, the half-opened eyes of Hanseo blinked slowly.

“Don’t go…”

It was a lower and huskier voice than usual.

‘His voice is hoarse when he’s half-asleep.’

But that was one thing, and the bed was another.

“What are you doing?”

“Hmm, I’m sleeping…”

“It’s cramped; get out of my bed.”

Hanseo, smiling softly at Junseong, pulled him into a hug unintentionally. Junseong ended up unintentionally being in a back hug while lying on his side.

“It’s a bit tight.”

Even though they were both dressed, it was awkward. One in a shower gown and the other naked; Junseong found himself in an embarrassingly awkward situation.

“Before complaining about it being tight, your bed is perfectly fine. Sleep there. And put on some clothes.”

“Hmm…”

Hanseo’s low breath was heard in Junseong’s ear. The warm breath tickled his ear along with the voice, making his shoulders twitch spontaneously.

“It was cold sleeping naked.”

“Put on some clothes.”

“I don’t want to wear dirty ones.”

“Are you a kid?”

In Junseong’s ear, a deliberately soft and affectionate whisper was heard.

“I’m your vaccine, right? So, can’t you appreciate me a bit? Without scolding.”

With those words, he pulled him even tighter, now completely binding him.

Although Junseong tried to push Hanseo away belatedly, it was futile. Realizing he was completely bound and couldn’t move an inch, Junseong sighed, releasing the tension from his body.

“Alright, alright. You’re pretty.”

“Where did your soul go?”

“Wow, you’re pretty. Our Hanseo is pretty.”

Either awakened by Junseong’s dry compliment or for some other reason, Hanseo chuckled softly in his ear. Junseong couldn’t help but smile as well.

“Although we haven’t known each other for long, he feels like a friend I’ve known for a while.”

Perhaps because they went through a life-or-death situation together.

Junseong was aware that his walls had completely softened compared to when they first met, yet he found the current comfort very pleasant.

“But did you stuff a water bottle between your legs?”

“It’s for my health. And it should be bigger than that.”

“Are you even human?”

Having finished preparing to head to the hospital, Junseong and Hanseo took the elevator to the lobby of the motel.

Until then, Junseong hadn’t relaxed, still anticipating zombies popping out from somewhere in the motel.

Checking Junseong’s newly bandaged wounds in the morning, Hanseo, looking into his eyes, said something that could ease his tension.

“I took care of the motel zombies yesterday.”

“Took care of?”

“I went around every floor and killed them. You were still showering in the morning because I was dealing with the zombies, and my gown got soaked in blood.”

Although he said it cheerfully, there was something eerie about it.

Since a strong smell of blood emanated from somewhere in the sweet room, Junseong thought it was coming from their clothes. Apparently, the culprit was Hanseo.

“Were there no people? In a motel like this, there might be people hiding in their rooms.”

Considering he had seen several card keys at the counter yesterday, some keys were missing. Probably, the motel guests had those keys.

While waiting for Hanseo’s answer, Junseong glanced at the mirror next to the elevator. The mirror reflected Hanseo’s face, which was undoubtedly smiling, yet his eyes were cold enough to veil the smile in a chill.

“No one was there.”

“Oh, okay.”

At the moment when the atmosphere seemed to turn strange, as soon as they got out of the elevator, Junseong suddenly turned serious, looking at Hanseo.

“Hanseo, when you’re planning to go somewhere, either tell me before you go or go with me. Absolutely do not wander alone.”

“What’s suddenly up?”

With a motherly tone, Junseong looked at Hanseo with a serious expression. Hanseo chuckled, as if understanding, and said, “Aha,” detaching himself.

“Is it because I’m the vaccine? I need to stay alive so that I can somehow deal with these zombies, right?”

Junseong, looking at him with a solemn expression, punched his chest lightly to avoid hurting him.

“Of course, for that reason too. But I’m genuinely worried about my friend.”

Hanseo looked slightly surprised as he met Junseong’s eyes.

“I hope you don’t get into danger. Of course, you’ll be safest against zombies if you’re with me, but…”

Junseong, thinking of someone who came to mind, furrowed his brow.

“Sometimes, people can be scarier than zombies.”

He knew well that among the people he met in his dreams, there were undoubtedly good ones, but there were just as many ruthless and selfish individuals. Junseong was aware that they could be more frightening than zombies.

Watching Junseong’s back as he headed outside the motel, Hanseo covered his mouth with one hand. Even though he didn’t intentionally try to smile, his mouth strangely lifted.

Junseong cautiously scanned his surroundings as he stepped outside the motel. There had been moments when zombie screams were heard nearby, but the motel had high walls, probably to ensure secrecy. The curtains in the parking lot were long enough to only expose their legs. Even if there were zombies passing by, it didn’t seem likely that they would be seen.

“Just stick with me.”

Hanseo, who approached from behind, made an awkward remark.

“Just a couple of times.”

The distance from here to the hospital was quite far if they were considering walking. Continuing in an uncomfortable posture sticking to each other like yesterday wouldn’t be feasible.

“What about taking a car then?”

“A car?”

Yesterday, he noticed that the distance was considerably open. Even if they couldn’t go all the way to the hospital, they could somehow get closer. Even if zombies heard the car sound and rushed towards them.

“I can’t drive.”

“I can.”

“Even if you want to ride, there’s no car.”

“There is.”

Hanseo pointed to a black car parked in the parking lot. Prepared thoroughly, he was shaking a car key as if he had acquired it from somewhere.