All Of Us Are Dead - Su Hyeok

19

"Oh, it's you," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I recognized the principal. I lowered my knife, which I had instinctively raised near his face when he woke me up by shaking me. "How is it outside? Still the same?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of fear and hope.

I shot him a look that clearly said he was an idiot. "How should I know? I just woke up," I retorted, my voice heavy with sleep. I yawned and stretched, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. My gaze drifted over to Gwi-nam, who was sitting up and yawning as well.

"You feeling better or not?" Gwi-nam asked, his voice laced with concern. "You kept touching your neck and head and said you were thirsty in your sleep." His eyes held a look of care, but I couldn't quite understand what he was trying to convey.

Before I could respond, the principal interjected, "Who cares about that, Shinae, can you drive the car?" His question was abrupt and dismissive, causing me to glare at him. Gwi-nam seemed to share my sentiment as he swiftly hit the principal on the nose with his fist, defending me or perhaps expressing his own anger.

The principal recoiled, clutching his nose as he glared at Gwi-nam. But Gwi-nam didn't back down. He met the principal's glare with a defiant one of his own. It was clear that he wasn't going to let the principal disrespect me. And for that, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards him.

"Why do you even ask?" Gwi-nam questioned, his voice echoing in the silence of the room. The principal, a stern man with a hardened gaze, dug into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. "Here's my car key. It's in the parking lot. License plate, 7340. If you guys both go, you have a chance to bring it here," he stated, his voice carrying a hint of desperation.

Gwi-nam and I exchanged a glance, our expressions mirroring the incredulity we felt. This man was asking us to risk our lives for his car. "Why should we go out there? There are zombies, and that too for you?" I blurted out, unable to hide the disbelief in my voice. The principal turned to me, his eyes wide with shock. "What do you mean why? So we can leave this hell hole!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing off the walls.

I couldn't help but smirk at his naivety. Gwi-nam, too, seemed amused as he relaxed into the sofa, shaking his head. "No way," he said, his voice firm. The principal opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. "I'm not risking my life for someone who abuses children and threatens them. I have ears everywhere, you know," I said, my voice cold.

Gwi-nam turned to look at me, surprise evident in his eyes. "You knew about it?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. I nodded, remembering the information I had gathered. "Yeah, I found out from some guy who says you are his gopher or something. I beat him up for information on this old fart," I confessed, a sense of satisfaction washing over me.

"I'm not that old! Do as I say, I'm your principal!" He yelled, his voice echoing off the walls. I was already reaching for my knife, the cold steel glinting ominously under the dim light. I moved it closer to his face, my eyes never leaving his. He reached out, his hand closing around my face, ready to strike. But before he could, Gwi-nam intervened. "We said no, and do not touch her or I'll kill you," he threatened, his voice filled with a ferocity that made the principal let go.

Gwi-nam's gaze then fell on the kitchen knife lying on the table. He moved towards it, his steps measured and deliberate. The principal, however, had the same idea. He stood up, his eyes fixed on the knife. A silent battle ensued, both of them vying for the weapon. I sat down, watching as Gwi-nam managed to push the principal onto the table. The older man fell back, and Gwi-nam was now in possession of the knife.

"Fine. The two of you, get out of here," the principal said, gesturing towards the door with a defeated sigh. "Fat chance," I retorted, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Listen, give us the car keys and we can leave you here, alive. I think I should kill you after what you did to the student, Hee Su," I said, my voice cold.