Keep the Doors Shut

Min-ho walks up from the back, his movements fluid and cautious. He pushes his bangs back, his eyes narrowing as he studies the figure.

 "He's not breathing," Min-ho observes, his voice cool and analytical. "Look at the shoulders. No rise and fall. Whatever that is... it's not waiting for a ride."

The figure's head was tilted at an unnatural angle—far too much for a normal person. One arm hung limply by its side, while the other was bent awkwardly behind its back.

Riya lets out a soft, panicked sob, pulling at the sleeve of your jacket. "Please, tell him not to open the door. Just drive around them!"

Chris finally peels himself out of his seat, wandering forward with a skeptical look on his face. "Are you guys seriously scared of a hitchhiker? Maybe they're just drunk or something."

As if sensing they were watching... The figure's head twitched.

Then— Snap.

The figure in the road twitches—not a normal human movement, but a sharp, unnatural jerk of the neck. It begins to shamble toward the bus, its movements stiff and erratic, and the light from the headlamps catches a glimpse of its face. It’s gray, gaunt, and the jaw hangs loose in a way that suggests it's broken.

The driver jumps back, his face turning ghostly white as he stares at you, his hand hovering over the door lock.

No one inside the bus spoke.

Arjun's voice remained calm but firm "Don't open the door."

Min Ho nodded, his usual relaxed smile completely gone "Lock every entrance."

The creature’s head snaps up, and for a terrifying second, its hollow, milky eyes lock directly onto yours through the windshield.

It lets out a guttural, wet sound—a screech that doesn't belong to a human throat. Behind it, from the treeline bordering the dark highway, more shapes begin to emerge, stumbling out of the shadows like broken dolls brought to life.

"They're coming," you hiss, your heart hammering against your ribs. "Drive! Forget the protocols, forget the route—just drive!"

The driver snaps out of his paralysis. He slams the bus into gear, the engine roaring in protest as he stomps on the accelerator. The bus lurches forward, the tires spinning momentarily on the slick asphalt before gripping the road.

Chris falls back into his seat with a thud, his face now drained of all color. "What the hell was that? Did you see those eyes? That... that thing was rotting!"

Arjun doesn't waste time panicking. He moves toward the stairwell, bracing himself against the metal pole as the bus swerves sharply to avoid the first creature.

 "Everyone, get down! Get away from the windows!" he barks, his voice commanding. "If they can climb, we’re sitting ducks in this glass cage."

Min-ho is already scanning the bus, his eyes darting from the emergency equipment to the side exits. He looks at you, his expression grim. "He's right. If we don't know what we're dealing with, we need a plan. Does anyone have a weapon? A fire extinguisher? A tire iron?"

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