The Road of Silence
The group moved in silence. Not the silence of caution, but the silence of grief. Every step felt heavier, every breath a reminder of what had been lost. Kai. Taehyun. Beomgyu. Their names echoed in Y/N's mind, sharp and relentless.
The road stretched ahead, broken and littered with debris. The air was heavy with dust, the sky painted in muted shades of gray. The shelter loomed faintly in the distance, its walls rising like a promise against the horizon.
Namjoon led, his eyes fixed on the faint outline. His shoulders were heavy, his steps slow, but his determination never wavered. Jin followed close, his face pale, his jaw tight. Jungkook walked beside Y/N, his bat resting against his shoulder, his eyes scanning every shadow. Y/N's brother stayed close, his hand brushing hers, grounding her.
Jimin hummed softly, his voice trembling but defiant. Taehyung walked in silence, his boxy grin gone, his eyes distant. Soobin's gaze was sharp, his jaw clenched. Yeonjun's face was pale, his eyes filled with doubt.
They were survivors, but they were broken.
As they crested the final ridge, the shelter came into view. The walls were massive, reinforced with steel and concrete, rising high against the skyline. Lights flickered faintly along the perimeter, casting shadows across the ground. Figures moved along the walls — guards, armed and watchful.
The group froze, their breaths catching.
Jimin whispered, his voice trembling. "It's real."
Soobin's eyes widened, his voice filled with disbelief. "We made it."
Taehyung's voice was quiet, almost a whisper. "After everything… it's real."
Y/N felt her chest tighten. The shelter was real, but the question lingered — was it salvation, or another illusion?
Her brother squeezed her hand. "We're here."
Jungkook's eyes burned, his voice steady. "Then let's finish this."
They approached cautiously, their weapons lowered but ready. The guards shouted from the walls, their voices sharp.
"Stop! Identify yourselves!"
Namjoon stepped forward, his voice steady. "We're survivors. We seek refuge."
The guards exchanged glances, their weapons raised. "Refuge isn't free. Who are you?"
Jin's voice was firm. "We're from Seoul. We've traveled for weeks. We've lost people. We need shelter."
The guards hesitated, their eyes scanning the group. "BTS"
One of them shouted, his voice sharp. "Prove you're not infected!"
Namjoon raised his hands, his voice calm. "We're clean. Check us if you must."
The gates creaked open slowly, the sound heavy and ominous.
The group stepped inside, their hearts pounding.
The shelter was alive with people — survivors of all ages, working together. There were tents, fires, makeshift kitchens. Children played in the dirt, their laughter fragile but real.
But the group carried grief with them.
They found a quiet corner, sitting together in silence. The weight of loss pressed against them, heavy and suffocating.
Jimin's voice trembled. "Kai should have been here. Taehyun. Beomgyu. They should have seen this."
Taehyung's eyes filled with tears. "They fought so hard. And they're gone."
Soobin's voice broke. "We were so close. And we lost them."
Y/N sat in silence, her chest heavy. The guilt gnawed at her, sharp and relentless. "It's my fault," she whispered. "I should have saved them."
Jungkook crouched beside her, his hand brushing hers. "Don't do this. You fought harder than anyone. You kept us alive. Don't blame yourself."
Her brother placed a hand on her shoulder, grounding her. "We honor them by surviving. By living. By reaching Busan."
Namjoon's voice was steady, though his eyes were heavy. "We carry them with us. Every step. Every breath."
The group sat in silence, their grief heavy, their hearts broken.
As the days passed, the group settled into the shelter. They found food, water, medical care. They slept without listening for footsteps, without fearing the infected.
But doubt lingered.
Yeonjun spoke one night, his voice sharp. "What if this is just another illusion? What if Busan isn't salvation, but another trap?"
Namjoon's voice was calm. "Then we'll face it. Together."
Jin's voice was firm. "We've come too far to turn back now."
Y/N listened, her heart torn. The shelter was real, but the question lingered — was it salvation, or another illusion?
Her brother's voice was steady. "We'll make it real. If it's not salvation, we'll build it ourselves."
Jungkook's eyes met hers, his voice fierce. "No matter what happens, we'll survive. Together."
The shelter was alive, but the group carried grief with them. Kai. Taehyun. Beomgyu. Gone, but not forgotten.
Y/N closed her eyes, whispering to herself. "Please let this be real."
Her brother heard, his hand brushing hers. "It is."
Jungkook's voice was steady, fierce. "Yes, it is."
The group sat together, their hearts heavy, their grief sharp. But the whisper of hope lingered, fragile and defiant.
Busan was real. Salvation was real. At last they are safe.