The Approach
The group reached the river at dawn, the pale light of morning spilling across the landscape like a reluctant promise. Mist clung to the water, curling upward in ghostly tendrils, and the bridge loomed ahead — a massive structure of steel and concrete, scarred by time and violence.
It was the only way forward.
Namjoon stood at the front, his eyes scanning the length of the bridge. His jaw tightened. "We don't have a choice. If we want Busan, we cross here."
The others gathered around, their faces pale in the dim light. The bridge stretched endlessly, its surface cracked and littered with abandoned cars. Shadows moved faintly among the wreckage, and the low, guttural moans of the infected carried across the water.
Y/N felt her chest tighten. The bridge wasn't just a path — it was a gauntlet.
Jin adjusted his pack, his voice grim. "There are too many. We can't fight them all."
Jungkook's grip tightened on his bat, his eyes burning. "Then we run. Fast and hard. We don't stop."
Yeonjun shook his head, his voice sharp. "Running through a swarm? That's suicide."
Soobin crouched, studying the bridge. "There might be gaps. Spaces between the cars. If we move carefully, we can slip through."
Taehyung's voice was quiet, almost a whisper. "Careful won't be enough. They'll smell us. They'll hear us."
The silence that followed was heavy, pressing against their chests.
Y/N's brother spoke softly, his eyes steady. "We don't have time to debate. We cross. Together."
Namjoon spread the map on the hood of a rusted car, though the bridge itself was plain before them. "We move in formation. Jin and I lead. Jungkook and Beomgyu flank. Y/N and her brother stay center. Jimin, Taehyung, Soobin, Yeonjun — cover the rear."
Jin's voice was firm. "No one breaks formation. No one lags. If someone falls, we pull them up. We don't leave anyone behind."
Jungkook glanced at Y/N, his voice steady. "Stay close to me. Don't let go."
She nodded, her throat tight.
They stepped onto the bridge, the sound of their boots echoing against the cracked concrete. The mist swirled around them, obscuring the far end.
The infected stirred. Shadows shifted among the cars, heads turning, eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
The first moan rose, low and guttural, followed by another, and another.
Y/N's heart pounded. The swarm was waking.
It began with a lunge.
A figure burst from behind a car, its skin gray, its mouth twisted in a scream. Jungkook swung his bat, the crack of bone echoing across the bridge.
Then the swarm erupted.
Dozens of infected surged forward, their movements jerky but relentless. The air filled with screams — human and inhuman.
"Run!" Namjoon shouted.
The group surged forward, weapons swinging, feet pounding against the concrete.
Y/N clutched her brother's hand, dragging him forward. Jungkook fought beside them, his bat smashing skulls, his voice sharp. "Keep moving!"
Beomgyu stumbled, a hand clawing at his leg, but Taehyung pulled him up, his knife flashing. Jimin screamed as a figure lunged, but Jin fired, the shot ringing out, dropping the attacker.
The bridge became chaos — bodies colliding, weapons clashing, blood spilling.
Y/N's breath came in ragged gasps as she shoved an infected back, her knife cutting deep. Her brother's voice rang in her ears. "Stay with me!"
Jungkook's bat swung again and again, his arms trembling with effort. His eyes flicked to Y/N, steady even in the chaos. "Don't stop!"
Namjoon's voice carried over the noise. "Keep formation! Don't break!"
But the swarm pressed harder, their numbers overwhelming.
Soobin shouted, his spear piercing through a chest. "We can't hold them!"
Yeonjun's voice was sharp, desperate. "Then we run faster!"
Finally, through blood and sweat, they reached the midpoint. The swarm thinned, the infected scattering among the wreckage.
Namjoon's voice was hoarse. "We're halfway. Don't stop now."
Y/N's legs burned, her chest heaving, but she forced herself forward. Her brother's hand was still in hers, his grip steady. Jungkook moved beside them, his bat dripping, his eyes fierce.
The far end of the bridge loomed through the mist, a fragile promise.
The swarm surged one last time, desperate and feral.
Jin fired his last bullet, the shot echoing. Beomgyu screamed as claws tore at his pack, but Taehyung pulled him free. Jimin stumbled, but Soobin caught him, dragging him forward.
Y/N felt her strength fading, her vision blurring. But Jungkook's voice cut through, sharp and steady. "Look at me! Keep moving!"
She focused on him, forcing her legs forward, her breath ragged.
Finally, with one last surge, they broke free.
They stumbled onto solid ground, collapsing in a heap. Their bodies trembled, their breaths ragged, their weapons slick with blood.
The bridge loomed behind them, silent once more, the swarm left in the mist.
Jin's voice was hoarse. "We made it."
Namjoon nodded, his eyes heavy. "But at a cost."
The group sat in silence, their bodies shaking, their hearts pounding.
Y/N lay on the ground, her chest heaving. Her brother's hand still held hers, his grip steady. She turned to Jungkook, her voice trembling. "We made it."
He nodded, his eyes soft despite the blood on his face. "Together."
Taehyung sat nearby, his knife resting against his knee. "I thought we'd die there."
Jimin's voice was quiet, almost a whisper. "But we didn't."
Soobin's gaze was distant. "Busan better be worth this."
Yeonjun's jaw tightened. "It has to be."
The group sat in silence, the weight of the bridge pressing against them. They had crossed, but the cost lingered — exhaustion, fear, blood.
Y/N closed her eyes, whispering to herself. "Please let Busan be real."
Her brother heard, his hand brushing hers. "It will be."
And so they sat, trembling but alive, the bridge behind them, the road ahead.
The group had stopped for a short rest, the air heavy with fatigue but quiet enough to breathe. Y/N sat on a broken curb, rubbing her sore legs, when Jimin dropped down beside her with a small grin. "You look like you've just run a marathon," he teased gently, nudging her shoulder. Y/N laughed, shaking her head. "Feels more like ten marathons." Jimin leaned back, gazing up at the dim sky. "You know… I miss silly things. Like walking without thinking about danger. Or grabbing ice cream after practice." His voice softened, carrying a wistful note. Y/N smiled faintly. "I miss that too. I used to complain about small stuff, like traffic jams. Now I'd give anything to sit in traffic again." Jimin chuckled, his eyes crinkling. "When we make it to Busan, first thing we'll do is find ice cream. Deal?" Y/N turned to him, her smile genuine. "Deal." For a moment, the weight of the world lifted, replaced by the simple comfort of shared memories and promises.