Episode 71

[Jun-woo’s POV]

“Sigh…”

This place never had a clean day.

Why did people spill popcorn they paid good money for? I let out a deep sigh while sweeping up the mountains of popcorn littering the floor and seats. After finally removing it all and double-checking the area, I shuffled out of the theater with my cleaning supplies.

“Jun-woo sure looks exhausted today.”

“Ah, I’m the same as always.”

“Liar. You can fool others, but not me. Pace yourself. If you work so hard like this, you’ll burn out and collapse.”

“Jun-woo! Screen 5’s showings are done. Go clean it up.”

“Got it! I’ll head there now.”

“Do your best.”

***

“Finally… done.”

Today was particularly messy—spilled drinks, food scraps—all that required extra cleanup. Still, compared to my old theater, this smaller multiplex was manageable. I glanced at the pristine seats, feeling a sense of pride, and gathered my tools to leave.

“Aaargh!”

“Ahhh!”

“Move! Get out of the way!”

But a crowd suddenly burst through the doors, so I was unable to leave.

What the…

I’d dealt with a few stragglers wandering into the theater while it was being cleaned before, but never a whole stampede.

“Everyone, please! You can’t enter this theater yet, please leave!”

I was embarrassed for a short while, but years of part-time jobs had honed my composure, and I quickly regained control, shouting as loudly as I could. But no one listened at all, perhaps because they couldn’t hear me. The crowd kept surging in, trampling over my voice.

This wasn’t working. I tried pushing my way towards the exit to direct them because I thought I shouldn’t just stay like this, but it was futile. It was difficult to go to the door because the incoming flood of people kept pushing me backward instead.

Why was everyone rushing here? The seats were already full—they’d have to stand!

A bloodcurdling scream erupted nearby.

“Ahhh!”

“Move! Damn it! The zombies got inside!”

“Stop pushing! Don’t— Ahhh!”

“Get back! Stay away! No… Aaaagh!”

The chaos was like a riot. My head spun and my vision was getting blurry..

As I scrambled to escape the cruising croud, something wet splattered my right shoulder and cheek.

Huh…?

I wondered what was on me because my black uniform was hiding the stain, but suddenly, all the people who’d been pushing me around were now recoiling from me.

Why…?

Slowly, I wiped my cheek and raised my hand. Bright red liquid pooled in my palm.

“Wh-what? Blood?!”

The metallic stench of blood stinging my nostrils confirmed what this was. I was so started that I screamed and whipped my head toward where the liquid had flown from. Two people were tangled on the floor, their mouths smeared with crimson, tearing into each other’s flesh. Sound vanished as if muted; the crowd moved like figures in slow motion.

Some rolled on the ground, others stampeded past barefoot, shoes lost. A woman stared wide-eyed, pupils dilated to the point they looked like they were bursting, while another sat clutching her ears, eyes screwed shut.

What in hell was happening? Why is everyone—

It was then that I saw it—a man drenched in blood sinking his teeth into another’s neck. My vision turned black at the sight, and my consciousness slipped away.

***

Gasp…!

Fear. I was consumed by fear.

Each time I blinked, the darkness around me thinned, revealing silhouettes seated in rows under a flickering screen, the light making them clearer. Not one looked human—twisted limbs, distended jaws, hollow eyes.

No matter how much I looked, they were the only ones around. When I turned to the screen, I found a horror movie being played: a masked killer butchering victims.

Stop. Please make it stop.

Crawling on my elbows, I reached the exit. My trembling hands rattled the handle, but the door refused to budge.

No. Open. Please open.

When I knocked my fists against it, asking for someone to come, something suddenly flew past me and slammed into the door.

“KEEEEEEEH.”

Terrified, I fell on all fours and turned around. ‘Everyone’ who’d been watching the movie moments ago now stared at me, their heads twisted in my direction.

“P-please… save me,” I begged, flattening myself against the floor and trembling violently. As time dragged on, my muscles cramped, screaming in protest. But I was too afraid to look up and was pinned in place, worried their eyes were still looking at me.

For hours—or days?—I drifted in and out of consciousness at the entrance, my mind unraveling. Then, tap. Something brushed my shoulder.

“Aaaah!”

I reflexively jerked, my heart plummeting. They were going to look at me again. They were—

But instead of the twisted figures I was expecting, I instead found a living person: a short-haired woman gripping a pipe, her expression radiating grim confidence.

***

I still don’t know how I escaped that place. I just followed them as they led me. Tears blurred my vision, but it didn’t matter. I stumbled, fell, and crawled back up as I reached their footsteps.

When we finally left the theater and reached the lobby, the strength that had filled me to leave that place gave out. I slumped to the floor.

Hah… Hah… I’m out. Finally out.

After crying myself hoarse, I had no tears left. I sat dazed, staring at the floor, until someone approached.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I’m… okay now.”

My voice grated like sandpaper due to screaming and sobbing inside that hellhole theater for days. It probably sounded annoying.

“I’m Seo Ga-eun.”

“I’m… Park Jun-woo. Thank you… for saving me.”

She sat beside me and started talking to me about this and that. Her kindness warmed the numbness, and for the first time, I managed a smile.

“You look better smiling than crying.”

“Huh? Oh… thanks. You… you have a pretty smile too, Ms. Ga-eun.”

Flustered by her sudden compliment, I tripped over my words. Then she giggled softly as if amused.

“Relax. You don’t have to force it. Take it easy”

“Y-yes, ma’am.”

“Hmm… How about we share our ages? To get closer. I’m 25.”

“I’m 21. You’re older, so feel free to drop formalities.”

“Should I? Then, feel free to call me Noona too.”

***

“Don’t get hurt. Wait—no, you can get hurt if you have to. I’ll heal you anyway. Just come back alive.”

Ji-ah waved them off with a face that looked deathly worried. She looked torn, as if she wanted to follow but stayed behind for my sake.

“You should’ve gone with them. You seem worried. I can really be fine here alone—it’s just for a short while, right?”

“No. Even if I went, I’d just be a burden over there.”

She casually referred to herself as “a burden” and slumped next to me.

Burden… That’s me, isn’t it? I’m useless here.

The negativity must’ve shown on my face. Her expression darkened, and I quickly changed the subject to clear my head and prevent the mood from souring further.

As we talked for a while, I realized she was stronger than I’d assumed.

It felt unsettling to hear that she’d only survived so long by charging forward at the zombies even while she was scared.

Charge forward? How does that even work? Unlike zombies, some threats couldn’t be beaten through sheer force.

“I couldn’t do it at first either. But to survive—to protect myself—I had no choice but to move. Once you start, it gets easier. The first time is the hardest.”

To protect myself. The words lodged deep in my chest.

“Do-yoon, was it?”

“Yeah. What about him?”

“Are you two dating?”

“…What?”

She seemed flustered and unable to say something for a moment, then vehemently denied it. But her reaction only confirmed their closeness.

Ji-ah seemed just as close to Ga-eun noona as well. Ga-eun’s voice softened when she spoke of her earlier. “Without her, I would have disappeared long ago, swallowed by myself.” She’d said.

“I envy You.”

How did they all bond so easily? I craved being acknowledged and loved like that. They must be happy together.

I really… I was envious.

—

I was NOT expecting a Jun-woo pov rn but honestly? It’s welcome. My poor baby cm’ereee