Chapter Text
Chapter One.
Stray kids. Literally.
Day 11 of Skz.
The first time.. The first time in over a year she feels like monsters aren't breathing down her neck. The rocking chair on the porch was the perfect place to think of how she ended up in this situation. Eight men are on her property, mulling around doing miscellaneous tasks that she handed out that morning. But who is she kidding… She has no idea how she’d continue like this. Maintaining the property was something she worried about too much. How will she have the time to learn to fix things before her first harsh winter will be upon her. So many things to worry about but now? Now she has eight more minds. More hands to help prepare. The bright red flags inside her mind go off each time you see them gathered together. Men you know nothing about. You know most celebrities aren't who they really seem to be in real life. Harsh words and mean glares is how you thought rich celebrities treated other people behind the scenes. But now there are eight of them inside the place you've made into your new home. The first real living people that you have seen in months that have not tried to rob you. Yet.
The cabin was built in the Pike national forest. This area seemed perfect. You have seen so many zombie and world ending movies and television shows. Pikes Peak doesn't always have snow year round but it's always a possibility due to the high elevation snow can occur in the warmer summer months. Perfect. A little too perfect. Her thoughts went back to how she remembered the Law office she was a receptionist at was dealing with backlash from a client who bought one of these cabins. Saying they didn't know they would be somewhere so remote. They were so remote that the twenty-five minute drive into Colorado springs was too much for him to handle and was demanding out of that buyer's contract. Thankfully the office was closed for remodeling when the world ended. All it took was getting the timing right to run up to the front doors and get in without being seen by the mindless zombies haunting the streets. Getting back into her Honda CRV was a bit harder. When she exited the law office a small horde had moved into the area. She was used to seeing mindless drug addicts wandering the streets on central but seeing real zombies was something else. Crouching by the office door she locked up again. Seems looters did not seem to care about breaking into offices because nothing had been touched inside. Waiting and holding her breath she waited for the horde to pass her car. She watched as they bumped into her side view mirrors causing them to knock into each other making their advancement slower than what she was hoping for. Leaving dark muddy looking smears against the dark paint of the CVR. Once the last had walked past her car she made her move, moving as quick as she could. Creeping up from the backside of her reversed car she opened her driver door slowly so it wouldn't make a sound and once inside before she made the loud sound of closing her door, she started the car. The adrenaline caused her to slam the door a lot louder than she intended, making the horde slowly turn their whole bodies toward the sound. Eyes wide with fear she put the car into drive and took off into the opposite direction they came from. Blinking her eyes she chased the memory of that day away from her mind, looking up into the clouds above her.
Eyes wandering the grounds, she kept looking until she counted eight heads. A few of them were standing around together talking animatedly with smiles on their faces. For some of them that was the first time you’d seen a real genuine smile. Even with the world having ended they were beautiful. After a week of being able to sleep more than a few hours each night they started to look better. No heavy eye bags and all the grime was long washed off. Although the feeling of distrust was still there she knew they wouldn't kill her in her sleep at least. Eventually the rest of their group went to stand in the group closer to the cabin. Talking with each other you couldn't help but feel like some of their eyes were on you and when you looked up a few heads snapped in different directions. At that point you knew they were talking about you. Feeling the hairs rise on her skin, Lizzy quickly stood up from the rocking chair and turned stiffly to make her way to the open front door only for her blanket to commit an unthinkable act against her. Her left foot snagged onto the material causing her to trip and instead of falling to her hands and knees to catch herself like a normal human she curled into herself and fell onto her side with the loudest thump. Heads once again turned in your direction. Instead of registering the pain in her shoulder and hip she quickly called out to them as three bodies started to move. “I'm ok! I just tripped!” As fast as she could move she ditched the blanket on the chair and disappeared through the open door.
“Hey! That fall looked like it hurt, are you okay Liz?” Turning around at the top of the stairs leading to the second floor and her bedroom she stopped. Her face was bright red as looked at Bang Chan, Felix and Han. The others hid behind them outside the front door. “Yeah, I'm fine. That blanket just decided to stage a mutiny and end my life. I think I hurt my left shoulder though because it's throbbing already.” Stepping forward Bang Chan stopped at the bottom of the stairs when he saw you shrink back. Hand gripping the railing he looked up at her and pressed his lips together tightly in a thin line. “Please be honest with us. This is your home. We don't want to keep making you uncomfortable.” Han said from behind him. “Guys I'm fine. It was just a small fall. On… hardwood. I’ll be ok, trust me.” She turned once again and quickly went down the hall and ran into her room. Locking the door she breathed out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. “I don't know if i can do this…” Down stairs the guys were finding spots inside to settle down in. Some grabbing blankets or jackets to cover themselves with or sit down on. There wasn't much furniture in here. A few chairs and a small table were in the dining/living room area. “Can we really trust her?” I.N asked the group once everyone was seated. “I think we don't have much of a choice.” Said Bang Chan. “She's gonna decide today if we can stay right?” asked Changbin. “I don't think I'll be able to force myself to leave if she kicks us out to be honest..” a few heads nodded in acknowledgement and agreement to what hyunjin said. “I can almost feel their hands on my legs still.. I almost died the night she found us. If she didn't I dont think I'd be here with you all still” Everyone's eye shot to Felix after he was done speaking. Because it was true, he wouldn't be here if you didn't step up and fight off the zombies chasing them.
flashback
The alarm system suddenly went off around eight in the afternoon. She was gathering her set of pajamas in her arms when the sound startled her into dropping the pile back into her mattress. She sprung into action because she wasn't about to lose her home again. Swinging open her bedroom door she stumbled down the stairs two at a time. Breathing in deeply through her nose she gathered the courage to put on her gear by the front door. Pulling on the one size to big thick jeans. She had sown extra layers into the pants in areas that didn't stop her from having full movement in them. Next to put on was a long sleeve compression shirt, lacing the leather bracers onto her forearms was easy in this shirt. Quicker, she needs to move faster. Heartbeat pounding in her head, she could basically feel her whole body thumping along with it. Next was the bullet proof vest she was able to take off a dead non zombie officer. Once the straps were velcroed on as tight as possible she turned to pick up her thick utility belt, hand sewn pockets already had throwing knives and daggers stashed into them. Putting the sheathed anime sword onto her back she hoped it wouldn’t weigh her down and was useful. One of the few things she had left from her life back in New Mexico was this real metal sword from an anime character called Kirito. It was the sword he used in the first season from a demon boss drop. It wasn't sharp when it was hung on the wall as a decoration but the artist she got it from was a speciality maker. Used nice metals to make long lasting swords that could be used forever if taken care of. She had to find a small handbook on how to sharpen a sword while she scavenged around a library. Newly sharpened and ready for battle she grabbed the last thing, a large compound bow, shoving arrows into the quiver she found in the sporting good store a few weeks ago. Taking another deep breath Lizzy opened her front door and stepped into the darkening night.
Running along the fence she followed the sounds of cans rattling. The alarms notified her of movement but the cameras didn't have night vision. She did not know what she was coming out to face but she would rather die trying then run again. Her makeshift alarm system was just a bunch of cans with rocks tied on some rope low to the ground and she made sure there were a lot of them in so the sound wouldn't get lost if they moved from one string of cans to another. “Shit! There are cans everywhere I step. I can't move without kicking one! Wait for me!” slowing down to jog she heard the very clearly human voices yelling at one another. A thump and loud grunt was heard as she stopped in front of the gate where the sound was coming from. Even from her side of the fence she could see the outline of more than five people. A few meters behind them she could also see the small group of slow moving zombies behind them. “Hey! Felix fell!” one of them screamed. They all turned to help their friend but even the closest person wouldn't get to him in time before the first zombie reached him. Drawing back her bow she wondered why he wasn't pulling a gun or knife to defend himself. What is he doing?! “Everyone duck down NOW!” She yelled out her warning twice before the group dropped out of her way, leaving the view to the zombies clear. One arrow after another she shot them at the zombies. Not every one hit their mark but it was still quick how fast she took down the group of six zombies. Shooting the closest to the boy first they all eventually fell. “Are there any more following you?! How many are out there?!” She was shouting while pressed up against the fence. “That.. that was the first zombies we have seen since we started up this road. We've been walking since the sun started to rise this morning. We were hoping to find one of those fire lookout towers to hide in while we figured out where we're at. We have a map but all of us are terrible at reading it.” The male speaking was shaking while he spoke, eyes shifting in every direction to make sure nothing was trying to eat them from behind. They did not have enough layers or gear to be walking around a mountain range. “You're severely underprepared to be in the mountains. Turn back and go into the city. You won't survive out here with.. the backpacks a few of you are carrying. Go back. Now.” Waiting for them to leave she raised her bow once more. “Leave now. I won't be asking again. There are more of my people coming.” A lie. One she practiced in the mirror so it looked real. “ They have guns and will take back this place if you kill me.” Chest moving up and down rapidly pulling an arrow back she let it fly right past one of the mens head. Screaming some dove to the ground once again. “Please. We can't go back now. It's dark and more could be out there. Please don't force us back. We can't. Please. We're just a group of people trying to survive. My name is Chris”. The one who kept doing the talking begged as he stepped in front of you at the fence. He pulled down the mask he had covering his face.
What the fuck? How is a kpop idol standing in front of me right now? Let alone the leader of Stray kids. Eyes snapping to the rest of his people she noticed familiar builds to the other members. All of them were under six feet tall. Was this the whole group of stray kids?! No. No matter who they are, I can't let them stay. They need to leave. “Please….” One with a deep voice pleaded. “Just the night. Then you can have us leave.” “Where are your weapons? Why didn't you defend yourself from that horde? You guys could have taken them. They were slow and had broken bodies.” Some flinched at your words, sounding too loud in the quiet forest. “We had to run from our last hiding spot, a large group of survivors came through and an even bigger group of zombies was behind them. We left as soon as some made it into the building we were in. Half our belongings were left in favor of living.” Dark eyes bore into your own. Swallowing the spit building in her mouth she took another deep breath to calm herself. One night. One night and they will leave. “Fine. But you will all stay in one room and I'll be locking the door. No exceptions. If I even hear the doorknob move I'll kill you all. Understand?” “Yes! Yes that will…. Be ok. Please just stay the night. We won't try anything I swear on my life.” Even beaten down by the world and covered in grim he was handsome. You could still see the idol he was trained to be. “Follow me, slowly so you dont trip on the cans. The opening is this way.” She never turned her back on them, walking backwards to the gate, she used her key to unlock it. Moving off to the side she held the gate open as they quickly entered the long driveway. “Let's be quick. The sun is down now and I don't want to be making any more noise. L-..let's go inside.” Her words were quiet and mumbled as she locked the gate they just went through. Turning on her heels she almost jogged into the cabin, the boys silently matching her steps to keep up. “I have a spare room on the bottom floor. You might not all be able to lie down at once but there's a queen size bed in there. You boys can take turns. My group will be back soon.” There's that lie again. “I can wash your clothes and I'll have them ready for you by morning”. Talking as she marched to the spare room, twisting the doorknob until the stale air inside greeted her face. “Get inside. Now”. She stood by the door, one hand on a dagger on her waist. Almost holding her breath as they slowly made their way into the room. Waiting stiffly as they opened bags and stripped off clothing they wished to have cleaned. “Don't try anything tonight and we won't have any problems. Okay? I mean it. I won't hesitate if I have to protect myself or my home.” At that moment there was movement under her legs and she tensed, almost forgetting about the kitten she saved a week ago while looking for food. Slowly while never losing eye contact with the leader, one hand scooped up the kitten. A few gasps “oh my gosh. It's a kitten. I haven't seen any since this all started..” one of them said from the back of the room. Using her foot she dragged the pile of clothes outside the doorway, nudging it to the side. “Is.. is there any way you could spare us some water and food? Please. Anything would be helpful”. You recognized that deep voice. Felix. Mind buzzing into overdrive instead of answering him or meeting any gazes she slammed the door shut and locked it from her side. Turning and looking around the area she noticed a piece of wood perfect to wedge against the door. It opened her way so now they wouldn't be able to open it without it making a sound to alert her. Backing away into a chair she had against a window, she finally slumped and brought the kitten to her face to get a cuddle in. “Just one night lil baby. Then we will be safe again… I promise”. The words meant to soothe her mind. Quickly she started to get things done. Storming up the stairs they heard her steps as they started to find spots to settle down. Most in just tank tops and boxers in favor of having clean things to wear again. She knew it would be a cold night so she gathered some chopped wood bundles, matches and some paper to start it. Dropping those off at the door she garthed the large pile of things they wished her to wash for them. Why isn't as much as I thought there would be.. she thought as the smell hit her in the nose full force. Men are stinky. Holy shit. Trying to hold the couch in she quickly ran from the door. Throwing the clothes into a pile on the floor again. Using her feet to separate it into three smaller piles. “There.. Now let's get this going and get them some water and food… I can do that much before they go. I mean it's stray kids”. The words were small and quiet as she moved the first pile into the washer. Adding detergent, she closed and started it. In the kitchen she stood still wondering what to give them. Mind racing she leaned against the counter edges holding her face in her hands. How? How is she gonna get them out tomorrow if they don't want to leave? Maybe she shouldn't feed them.. act like she doesn't have anything useful.. all the interesting things are in her room leaving the downstairs with only the things she needs. No. That isn't right. I can't be that kind of person even if the world is.. over. Pinching her cheeks she set to work making the largest pot of stew in her life. She threw a bit of everything she could. Sliced meat from a deer she caught the other day. Vegetables from the garden outside. Seasonings she snuck out of a kitchen in a restaurant she scavenged. Full of warmth and smelling great she waited for it to cool down so the pot was able to be carried to their room. eating her own bowl she groaned happily. “It has been forever since I cooked something like this. Ahhh.. so good.” Her eyes crinkled a sign she was smiling. Maybe she should do this more when it's colder. Sighing loudly she dropped a folded towel into the floor to set the still warm pot onto. Slowly she pushed it on the ground to their bedroom door. Turning back she grabbed 8 bowls and spoons in one arm and carried a gallon jug of water in the other. Setting all that down, slowly she pried the wood from against the door. The lock wasn't quiet so the moment she unlocked it the room inside went silent. Knocking, she waited for one to open the door for her. “I brought you guys something to eat and drink. Just leave it by the door when you're done. There should be enough for tonight”. Seungmin. He stood at the open door with the largest smile on his face. “I-.. I also brought some stuff to make a fire in the fireplace there.. uh-..”..... “Thank you! Thank you so much….. Can you tell us your name? Mine is Seungmin. It's a little hard to.. say so you can call me Min or Minnie” staring.. processing… How is this happening right now?! The tips of her ears instantly reddened. “You can c-call me L-lizzy. Don't worry.. I can pronounce Seungmin..” her fingers twitched as she waited for them to gather all her offerings. “Thank you so much no one has shown us this much help since this all started..” Bang Chan again. The accent almost made your mind fizzle out. “It's no problem. Really. Just eat and start a fire there so you won't be cold. I don't have much extra blankets so you'll have to make due with what's in here already on the bed. I-... don't… uhm.. well goodnight”. Bang Chan stared as she once more locked the door on them. The WolfChan charm on the bottom of her compound bow gave her away. He knew she knew who they were. But did the others notice?