By Zephyria 
Jeffrey busily moved in the darkness. Rummaging through his bag and rumpling his clothes, he made quite a commotion before flinching at the sudden feeling of being watched.
[What are you doing?]
Eden’s voice flew straight into his ear. Jeffrey turned his head in the direction of the sound, staring at a mass presumed to be Eden’s form through the pitch-black darkness.
[What? How long have you been awake?]
[Not long.]
Jeffrey shoved his feet haphazardly into his discarded shoes, urging him on as if there was no time to spare.
[If you’re awake, hurry up and come out.]
[Why.]
[Why, you ask. Can’t you see your seat is empty? Do Ha-jin just left secretly without saying goodbye. It’s the last time, you should see him off.]
Eden folded his arms behind his head, using them as a pillow, and closed his eyes.
[Forget it. Go alone if you’re going.]
[What?!]
An astonished voice echoed through the wide hangar.
[Are you serious? No, when you were so crazy about Do Ha-jin, what’s suddenly…]
Muttering in confusion, Jeffrey hurriedly got up, saying, “Ah, this is no time for this.”
[Anyway, if you change your mind, hurry up and come out!]
A crashing sound of something being hit and falling over followed, and then the back door opened. A blue light illuminated the cave-like hangar before disappearing.
“Uncle…”
Then Byeol, with sleepy eyes, rolled over and snuggled into Eden’s arms.
Pie, who had been whining at the door the whole time, had somehow found a spot at his feet and sat down. The firm, dense fur tickled his ankles.
“Why did Ha-jin Uncle leave without saying goodbye?”
The child’s tone was as weak as a dying candle. Eden replied casually.
“He probably didn’t want to wake everyone since they were sleeping.”
“…But why aren’t you going with Ha-jin Uncle? How is Ha-jin Uncle supposed to come to America alone?”
The cute voice trembled. He even groaned as if holding back tears. Eden stroked the child’s soft hair and asked.
“Do you want me to go with Ha-jin Uncle?”
“Uh-huh. Because you’re strong. And you said at the church last time that you would protect Ha-jin Uncle.”
Byeol chattered as if Eden was Superman. He seemed to firmly believe that even in the Zombie-infested Korean peninsula, he would never die, and that he would safely escort Ha-jin and return to America whenever he wanted.
The child’s moist, sparkling eyes shone like jewels even in the darkness.
Eden wore a dry smile on his lips. What if Ha-jin had trusted him just a little more, as much as Jeong Byeol believed? Such a ridiculous assumption swirled in his head.
But he knew that neither his choice nor Ha-jin’s was much different. Do Ha-jin proved his affection by leaving, and he intended to prove his affection by following him, even if it was late. In any case, the only thing they had in common was the desire for each other not to die.
Eden swept back Byeol’s disheveled bangs and opened his mouth.
“I’m just going to fix that helicopter and then go meet Ha-jin Uncle again.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the child jumped up as if he had been waiting for it.
“Uh-oh? Really? Then can I come too?”
“No. You stay here with Jeffrey Uncle first.”
“Aww…!”
Byeol rolled his round eyes and quickly nodded.
“Okay. Then you go to Ha-jin Uncle, and, um, I’ll go with Jeffrey Uncle. Then we’ll meet again at home later, right? Right?”
Even in the darkness, the child’s pink blush seemed clear. Eden chuckled as if he couldn’t help it at the more enthusiastic reaction than he had expected. A nephew who willingly sends his uncle to his death for his love. Should he think of this as outrageous, or admirable…?
Not long after, the back door opened slightly again. Jeffrey appeared with the dawn light illuminating the dark hangar. It seemed someone had woken up, as bright light came on from the lights hanging on the ceiling.
“Wow… Jeffrey Uncle cried.”
Jeong Byeol pointed at Jeffrey, who was approaching, with his short fingers. Jeffrey, who glanced at the giggling child, plopped down with swollen eyes.
Jeffrey moved his lips for a while before apologizing to Eden.
[I’m sorry.]
[…Suddenly?]
[Seeing you two parting like this without even saying goodbye made me feel bad. I was wondering if I messed things up between you and Ha-jin. But I know better than anyone that you two were sincere…]
He quickly closed his mouth when he met Byeol’s eyes. Eden, who had been listening quietly, let out an absurd sigh.
[Are you saying that it’s all your fault that Do Ha-jin and I fell apart?]
Jeffrey shook his head firmly, not noticing the sarcastic question.
[There’s no need to deny it. I know that you chose friendship over love.]
[…….]
[You can resent me. I’ll humbly accept it if it makes you feel better.]
He even teared up as if he was moved by his own words. Eden, who had been listening to the nonsense of his friend with considerable self-consciousness, sighed and got up from his seat.
[Stop being dramatic and get up. Let’s fix the helicopter.]
A look of bewilderment suddenly appeared in Jeffrey’s moist eyes.
[…What? Already? It’s still dawn. There’s no need to be so hasty, is there?]
[I’m hasty enough.]
A moment of silence fell. Jeffrey, who was staring at Eden with thinly opened eyes, leaned his upper body forward.
[What’s the rush?]
[…….]
With no answer coming, a meaningful atmosphere began to surround the two.
[Don’t tell me, you….]
He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence and just moved his mouth. Meanwhile, Eden swept back his disheveled hair and looked around the hangar, which was greeting the early morning. Several soldiers who had taken off their uniforms were yawning and stretching.
[Eden. It’s not what I’m thinking, is it?]
Jeffrey clenched his fist and asked. Eden, who had walked to the helicopter with the fuel removed, which was left in the corner, replied indifferently.
[That’s right.]
Jeffrey reflexively got up at the immediate answer. At that moment, Jeong Byeol grabbed his thigh and shook it, chattering in an excited voice.
“Jeffrey Uncle! You know what? Eden Uncle is going to meet Ha-jin Uncle when he finishes fixing the helicopter! And he’s going to come home with him! Isn’t that great?”
Jeffrey, who finally understood the whole situation, staggered with his hand on his forehead. Eden took out the equipment he had left in the corner and called him over with a gesture as if there was no time for this.
[If you understand, stop dawdling and come here and help fix it.]
As soon as he finished speaking, red blotches began to appear on Jeffrey’s face. Eden, looking at his friend who looked like he was about to explode, instead got annoyed.
[If you had been able to handle the software properly, I wouldn’t have had to stay here.]
[You… you crazy…]
[I’ve been thinking about it, Jeffrey, when you go back to Blue Works, apply for the job competency enhancement program first. I’ll get you in as the top priority without question.]
[Hey.]
[It’s all your fault if you miss Do Ha-jin, so keep that in mind.]
Jeffrey finally couldn’t stand it anymore and let out a roar.
[Hey, you crazy bastard! How can you say that now!]
❖ ❖ ❖
As Blue Works’ aircrafts were equipped with advanced technology, there were many parts to handle in addition to simple technical maintenance that required physical labor. A prime example of this was software integrated control.
While Jeffrey was painstakingly inspecting the hardware equipment, Eden meticulously checked the unmanned autonomous functions in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances. It was to protect Jeffrey and Jeong Byeol from danger in this way, since he couldn’t go with them.
Fortunately, the military personnel staying here only repeated the same parrot-like words about waiting for the Transport plane that the Ministry of National Defense would send, and didn’t pay much attention to the helicopter of foreigners who couldn’t even communicate well. To be exact, they didn’t seem to trust Jeffrey’s expertise.
In addition, after the last passenger plane left, the number of survivors gathered near the Maintenance Depot noticeably decreased, significantly reducing the risk of helicopter theft.
On the first day, Eden checked the helicopter for more than 18 hours without rest. Thanks to pouring all his energy into it without closing his eyes, the time was shortened more than expected. At this rate, it would be possible to get the helicopter off the ground within three days.
On the second day, Jeffrey, who had been sullenly hardening his face all along, called him.
[Go to Do Ha-jin before it’s too late. You don’t even need to see it through to the end.]
[I’m just going to watch it take off and then go.]
[You know, it’s a model that didn’t even need to go to the Maintenance Depot in the first place. It’s not an old one.]
Fatigue was thickly pressed under Jeffrey’s eyes as he waved his hand. It was because he had been working himself to the bone for two days due to the fuel gas that remained slightly inside the helicopter and the delicate work that required delicacy.
He pushed Eden’s chest hard as if telling him to get lost.
[I can’t even sleep because I’m so anxious because of you. Are you going to take responsibility if I get into a driving accident because of this? So hurry up and go! I’m going to finish leisurely and leave.]
Jeffrey, who had been annoyed to the fullest, scratched his head and sat down. Then, he yawned as if he was sleepy and suddenly dropped a bombshell.
[By the way, I gave the Yongwoon Institute card key to Ha-jin.]
[What?]
[I’m telling you, you’re really fucked if you miss him.]
Jeffrey looked at Eden, who was momentarily stunned, and mischievously raised the corners of his lips as if he had succeeded in revenge.
[Are you kidding?]
[Does it sound like I’m kidding?]
[…….]
[If you understand, hurry up and run, you bastard.]
The most likely way for Eden and Ha-jin to leave this land was through the research institute. Of course, it was also possible for Jeffrey, who had left for America, to send a Transport plane to the Maintenance Depot at the scheduled date and time, but this method was likely to fail.
There were many points to consider, including the possibility that Eden and Ha-jin would not be able to return within the time limit, as well as the possibility of unexpected actions by the survivors remaining here.
Considering various assumptions and variables, the best way to escape was to find Tune at the Yongwoon Institute, which was located deep in the mountains, and communicate directly.
Eden, who heard about the whereabouts of the card key, which was no exaggeration to say was a matter of life and death, hurriedly began to pack his bags. Jeffrey pushed his back and seemed uneasy, sighing as if exhaling cigarette smoke, and Byeol took out a secretly hidden lollipop and put it in Eden’s pocket.
“Uncle, fighting!”
Jeffrey scolded Eden, who received the child’s boisterous support.
[Don’t be overconfident and take good care of yourself. Got it?]
[You take care of yourself. Have a safe flight.]
Jeffrey opened his arms and hugged Eden’s back tightly. Eden, who would have refused the hug as disgusting in normal times, patted his back soothingly this time.
The hot sun announcing noon was already causing sweat to build up on his back.