Chapter Text
The first thing that dawned on you as your eyes flickered open, was the bright light overhead. It was blinding and did nothing for the dull throb of your head as the feeling slowly returned to your body.
The second, was the sharp clinical smell that lingered around you, clinging to your body like a parasite. You’d smelt that stench before. More often than you cared to admit.
Whenever a patient died at the Yuseong-gu Guryong Health Clinic, any and all traces of them had to be eliminated from the room. The sheets and bedding were drenched in bleach and detergents so strong they left red splotches on your skin as you washed them.
Then came the mopping. The cleaning and purging until finally, the only thing left in the room was the smell of dying bacteria, burning its way through your sinuses in an ever present reminder of what you had to do.
Yes. You knew this smell. It was the smell of death .
The sound of classical music slowly filtered through the room you were in as you pushed yourself up from the scratchy sheets and flimsy pillow you were resting on. It was a poor excuse for a bed. But it was still the nicest thing you’d slept on in nearly a month.
Your eyes, having finally adjusted to the light around you, slowly pieced together your surroundings. At first, you thought you were in a jail cell. A holding block of some sort. Why else would rows and rows of beds be stacked along the confines of this colossal hall.
You pushed up off the bed, your hands gripping the sheets as you swung your legs over the side. It was only then that you took note of what you were wearing. The green tracksuit was nothing like the worn slacks and tattered vest you’d donned before coming here. In fact, it was a lot more comfortable than anything you had right now.
The only thing that seemed to set your mind on edge however, was the bold white numbers pinned to your chest.
239.
It settled like lead in your gut. Being reduced to a number. After all you’d done to get away from the tormentors in your life, you couldn’t help but feel like you’d somehow ended up in something far worse.
The sound of an alarm buzzing snapped you to attention. As if on high alert, your eyes scanned the area around you, now only taking note of the countless other souls in the room. Souls with tracksuits and numbers just like yours.
The burning feeling in the pit of your stomach intensified.
Gulping down hard, you made to stand, wincing at the light wave of dizziness that washed over you. Your face still stung from where you were punched less than 24 hours ago. The thug your husband had sent after you really didn’t hold back.
With a deep breath, you slowly made your way down amidst the mass of individuals, blinking wildly at the spectre you were supposedly a part of. Then, the doors at the front of the room finally opened, revealing a small group of people clothed in red.
Their masked faces sent a chill down your spine.
“I would like to extend a hearty welcome to all of you,” a distorted voice spoke.
It took you a while to pinpoint which of the masked men it was coming from, but after a while, your eyes honed in on the one standing in the centre. The square shape on his mask seemed to settle the internal debate you had going on about his rank.
“Everyone here will participate in six different games over six days. Those who win all six games will receive a handsome cash prize,” he continued, words settling like a dead weight of the room.
Did he say games?
Your head was starting to throb again. You had no idea what the hell was going on. And as it seemed, neither did the others.
“Excuse me,” a woman from the back spoke up. Your eyes immediately darted to the number pinned on her chest.
120.
“You said I’d be playing games, but you practically kidnapped me,” she continued, coming into full view. “So how can I believe that?”
Kidnapped?
Your thoughts were swirling about your mind now, desperately trying to catch up to the events that led you to this place. As more and more questions filled the space around you, flashes of memories slowly came to.
You were running.
From whom, it did not matter. Not at this present moment. Just that you needed to get to safety. Your knuckles were throbbing from when you’d socked your assailant in the jaw in an effort to get away.
The streets were dark and there was no place left to hide. The buses had stopped running for the night and even the homeless beggars had left the area deserted. It was only you and the eerie glow of the streetlamps as you tried to get away.
They were gaining on you. You could hear them. There was nothing you could do. Absolutely nothing.
But then, there at the edge of the clearing, was a man. He was waiting for someone, it seemed. Your guess appeared to be right as the silvery van slowly came to stop before him.
That was your chance. You’re only chance to escape. And you took it.
Without realising it, your heart had started to race, your breathing coming out in short gasps as the memory of the night before danced behind your eyes. You’d practically assaulted the man, handing him your bag with all the money you had if he’d just let you get away. After all, it was just a taxi. And he looked like he needed the money.
Right now though, you feared you may have misjudged the situation. Especially as you listened to the square soldier list off the players and the debts they owed.
Did all these people here owe money? What the hell have you gotten yourself into?
A twinge of fear stirred in your chest as you suddenly stared at the faces surrounding you. Had you been followed? Did your husband manage to track you down? Would he be able to find you in here?
These were the thoughts that slowly festered in your mind as you fell in line with the rest of the people there. When you reached the front and the pink soldier presented you with a form to sign however, you found yourself pausing.
The last time you’d signed a document like this was when you got married. And that had been the worst mistake of your life.
The words on the page weren’t even making sense to you right then, prompting you to read them again. You found yourself frozen in place, hand hovering over the pen as you blinked down at these rules laid out before you. A consent form, they called it.
And you would be playing games. For money.
If there was anything you’d learnt in your life, it was that when things seemed too good to be true, it was because they were.
“Those who do not wish to participate, please speak up now.”
Your eyes snapped up, meeting head on with the square guard from before. Somehow, you could sense his irritation. Or was it from the elderly man behind you. Turning, you quickly spotted his number.
100.
At his angry grunt, you turned back to the page. You could leave right now. It wasn’t like you even needed the money. You had more than enough. Right now it was just about staying alive.
And maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t find you in here.
Steeling yourself, you gripped the pen firmly and inked your name onto the page.
After all…
No harm ever came from playing a game, right?
⬤ - ▇ - ▲
The first game wasn’t something you ever expected to find yourself playing again. But as you walked out onto the open courtyard, taking in the expanse of the blue sky overhead, an odd sense of nostalgia washed over you.
It was like you were a child again, going outside to play games with your friends. Back when the world made a little bit more sense.
“The first game is Red Light, Green Light,” the voice over the intercom announced. A small smile made its way onto your face.
Yes. This was exactly like your childhood. Maybe playing a little game wouldn’t hurt. Your eyes scanned the area around you, taking in the faces of the players as the woman explained the rules of the game.
These were all just people. People like her. Perhaps this could even be f-
“Everyone!”
Your eyes snapped to the front. A lone figure pushed through the crowd, his movements erratic as he waved for attention.
“Everyone, listen up! Pay attention!”
Your gaze fell onto the number pinned to his chest.
456.
“Listen carefully!” he shouted, his wild eyes staring right back into the crowd. You found yourself weaving through the bodies of people, trying to get a better look at the man. “This is not just a game!”
Upon seeing his face, a gentle frown marred your face. The sheer panic exuding from him was enough to set your teeth on edge. He looked like he’d seen a ghost. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was running from something, too.
“If you lose the game-” he heaved, veins popping along the side of his temple. “-you die!”
The cold chill that shot down your spine was nothing compared to the sheer terror you now recognised lurking behind player 456’s dark eyes. You stood frozen for a moment, trying to process what he was saying when you heard the distinct scoffs of derision emanating from around you.
It served as a reality check as he continued to spout out crazed accusations and warnings. You figured that he must have been high on something. Or perhaps suffering from some sort of PTSD.
It made your heart race slightly, but you tried to ignore him as the games began. Sure enough, it was easier falling back into your old habits as the doll in front began singing. Each set had you inching closer and closer to the finish line. Of course, it did shock you each time 456 yelled ‘FREEZE’ at the end of every turn. But it wasn’t anything major.
The game seemed to be going well, even though you were lagging behind. It was neither here nor there. But just when you thought you had this in the bag, a sharp, girlish scream rang through the air.
You could vaguely see the shape of the woman in front flailing about as if she were trying to throw something off. It was a shame that she’d chosen to move at that time. If she’d waited just a little bit longer, the doll would have turned around and-
Bang!
The hollow sound that erupted in the near silent courtyard was all it took to cut through the happy bubble of nostalgia you had enveloped yourself in. Suddenly, you were back out there. Running from demons you knew would never rest.
You watched as the girl’s body thunked onto the ground, heavy and lifeless, and the vivid images of your life prior to this moment came back all at once. The screams around you set the scene and the gunfire that followed conducted it according to the grand script that always seemed to be at the forefront.
A warzone. All witnessed from the confines of a cage.
“If you run, you’ll die! You will all die if you move!”
Pleading shouts fell on deaf ears as you were made to watch on in horror.
“Don’t move! Keep yourselves still! Don’t move, please!”
A dream. Sleepwalking amongst the damned.
“Don’t move, please!”
Sailing on an ocean of tears, unable to wash the memory clean.
“Freeze!!!”
The sharp, desperate shout of the man from before cut through your bleary thoughts as your heart hammered in your chest. Your eyes searched the area before you, a shaky gasp escaping your lips as you locked onto him. Player 456.
He had warned you. All of you. And you all thought he was crazy.
It all suddenly seemed to dawn on you. Why the prize money was so high. Why the people chosen were all individuals with debt. The scourge of society. All for some pennies.
“Let me repeat,” the voice crackled over the intercom. “You can move forward while the tagger shouts, “Green light, red light.” If your movement is detected afterward…”
You felt your chest squeeze painfully.
“...you will be eliminated.”
⬤ - ▇ - ▲
After the initial shock dissipated, you found yourself grounded once more. At first, you felt out of your depth, waking up in this strange place. But now that you were confronted with the prospect of death - something you had come to know intimately in your daily life - you felt your resolve steel slightly.
The primal urge for survival was rearing its head again. And it seemed that in order to do that, you had to follow Player 456’s lead.
You listened intently to his instructions, following them to the letter. Each move you made was carefully executed. You pulled yourself along, darting closer to where you’d seen your new leader.
All seemed to be going according to plan. Everyone was progressing nicely, aside from the occasional gunshot. All you had to do was stay focused and follow 456’s lead.
“Mugunghwa kkoci-”
You dashed forward.
“-pieot seum-”
Planting your feet firmly, you braced yourself, coming to a stop. You were far enough ahead to play it safe. But then-
“Hey!”
A player you had only seen before in passing leapt forward, his purple hair standing up wildly as he pushed in front of the man before you, sending him hurtling backward.
‘-nida.”
The man fell back into you, your arms instinctively wrapping underneath his own.
“Freeze!”
The doll in front spun around fully, just as your knees collided with the ground, your feet digging in to keep you and the man before you from falling backward.
“Nobody move!”
Your eyes slowly flickered down to the man splayed out against you in shock, his breathing erratic as he tried to remain still. The top of his hair was tied off into a ponytail, his feathery black strands splayed across your green clad chest.
“Are you okay?” you breathed, your grip tightening under his arms.
“Y-yes,” he murmured, voice low and still laced with shock. “Thank you.”
There was a weight to his words as he continued staring out in front of him, unable to move or see who had caught him. You supposed that it was probably nerve wrecking, having your life in someone else’s hands.
Your eyes landed on the upside down number scrunched up on his jacket.
388.
“It’s okay,” you grunted, holding on tighter as you started losing your grip. You just had to hold on a little longer. Time stretched on forever, but eventually, the doll in front slowly turned back around.
With a heave, you yanked Player 388 up in tandem with the music, pushing him along as the two of you started running.
“Mugunghwa kkoci pieot-”
“Stop here,” you called, latching onto 388’s arm.
“-seumnida.”
“Freeze!”
Your keen eyes locked onto the crazed boy from before, his bright hair standing out amongst the crowd. It would probably be a good thing to steer clear of him. He seemed very unstable.
“Are you okay, miss?” the quiet voice next to you whispered. You didn’t have to look to see who it was as your hand was still latched firmly onto his jacket. “I didn’t… did you get hurt?”
A flash of sympathy stirred in your gut. Was this boy really worrying about you right now?
“I’m perfectly fine,” you answered, forcing back a smile. You didn’t want to risk moving even the slightest. Another gunshot rang through the arena, but you weren’t sure whether the tremor you felt came from your own hands or from the man next to you. “And you, 388?”
The doll started turning back again, that irritating jingle cutting through the air as the two of you dashed forward. The finish line was now in sight.
“Mugunghwa kkoci pieot seumnida.”
“Freeze!”
You tried to catch your breath, your shoes skidding to a stop. More shots went off in the distance, each one feeling closer than the last.
“Dae-ho,” the man next to you rasped. You felt his hand tighten slightly around your arm that had shot out to stop him. “My name is Kang Dae-Ho.”
Your face was angled towards him this time and you chanced a small, tentative smile as you tried to calm yourself.
“(y/n),” you breathed out. “(l/n) (f/n)”
A look of relief ghosted his features as he blinked in acknowledgement. He seemed to be gathering his wits about him once more, his breathing becoming more and more steady. It helped you to do the same.
The doll turned away again, those dead eyes breaking contact with you and releasing the death grip it had on your heart.
“Don’t let go,” Dae-ho whispered as the music started playing again.
“I won’t,” you promised. And with that, the two of you took off running once more.
The timer above you dwindled dangerously low, but after two more rounds, you and Dae-ho both made it across the finish line. The panic you felt earlier seemed to come back tenfold as the urgency of the situation reminded you of why you ended up here in the first place.
You half imagined your husband stationed somewhere up there, aiming his gun right at you and just waiting for the moment in which you were at your most vulnerable to take the shot.
“Are you alright, big sis?”
Your eyes snapped up, locking on to the concerned brown hues of Dae-ho as he gripped your arms. You swallowed the lump in your throat and nodded blearily. The toothy smile he offered was worth the white lie.
“We made it,” he said with a breath of a laugh, turning around to look at all the others. “We made it past the first game!”
His excitable demeanor was contagious. So much so that you couldn’t help the genuine smile that graced your features as he stood beside you, his hands grasping your shoulders as his head whipped around wildly.
You were so caught up in the buzz around you that you almost didn’t notice player 456 dart back onto the field. It was only a flicker of movement in your peripheral that prompted you to look. And sure as the sky was blue, there he was, crouching over a fallen player.
He had to be nuts!
The music started again and in a swift movement, he yanked the man up. But the added weight sent him toppling. You winced, watching in abject horror as the song came to an end. He was surely going to be shot.
But then, out of nowhere, the girl from before shot out and caught them, stabilising their stance just as the doll behind you turned around. Your eyes landed on her number again.
Player 120. You had to remember that.
“Will they make it?” Dae-ho whispered next to you, his eyes focused on the same scene as you now.
The truth was, you didn’t really know. There was no telling what would happen. But a small part of you hoped as you watched the three of them madly scramble towards the finish line.
Amidst the cheers and the shouts of panic, you could only really focus on 456’s eyes. The determination behind them. It stood out among all other things when they crossed the finish line just as the timer ran out.
You felt oddly hopeful. It was then that his eyes, always searching, always looking, passed over yours. It was brief, locking only for a fraction of a second as he tried to regain his breath, but it was enough for you to see the flicker of relief there. The dwindling hope that everything would be okay-
Bang!
You saw the blood before the gunshot truly registered to you. The red colour tainting the seafoam green of the man’s tracksuit as he lay limp between 456 and 120.
“Player 444, eliminated.”
The small glimmer of hope you felt vanished instantly. Snuffed out like an ember that dared to survive. And it made you realise the cold hard truth you’d been faced with your entire life.
Mercy was not something humans understood.
⬤ - ▇ - ▲
Once you were back in the dormitories, the dark and bleak atmosphere almost seemed comforting. The shadows were something you had long since become acquainted with, so their familiarity was a welcome presence.
Dae-ho seemed to respect your need for silence, but he didn’t stray far. Instead, he followed closely by your side and took up the seat next to you as you waited for what happened next.
The daunting reality you were facing came to a head. You’d merely traded in one hell for another.
There was no difference.
Your husband liked playing games too. Only, instead of children’s games, they were mind games. And instead of money as a reward, it was the promise of safety. A silent assurance that his rage would not win out against the emptiness of his bottle of whisky.
Even as the buzzer sounded, you made no move to get up. Dae-ho stirred, trying to pull you back behind a bedpost as the guards waltzed in, this time armed with rifles.
You gave in to his persistence, allowing yourself to be guided further back as various other players began begging for their lives. A hard lump formed in your throat as the image of them on the floor reminded you of a time when you were in a similar position.
You weren’t given the same assurances as they were though.
The pleas and shouts continued as more and more players scrambled to the front until finally-
“Clause three of the consent form,” a voice boomed above the rest. One that you had come to recognise quite easily. “The games may be terminated upon a majority vote.”
“That’s right,” Dae-ho whispered next to you, nudging you with his elbow. “I forgot all about that thing.”
The masked square guard seemed to be in agreement, spouting out some propaganda about the freedom of choice. Perhaps you could all get out of here…
“But first-”
Ah shit.
“-let me announce the prize amount that’s been accumulated.” His distorted voice fizzed out as the ceiling above them opened, revealing a large piggy bank being lowered. You could hear Dae-ho gasp next to you as large wads of money streamed into the see-through container, each thud eliminating the fear that had manifested around you and replacing it with something else entirely.
“Wow, look at all that money!” Dae-ho whispered, holding onto your shoulders. Part of you wished you could celebrate with him and share his awe, but the feeling never came.
Even as the guard explained how the prize money would be divided up at the end of each game, you found yourself looking at your hands. The skin across your knuckles were barely stitched together, the bits of red marring the flesh that hadn’t been smooth in a really long time.
It was only when they called for the vote that you finally moved, giving an uncertain looking Dae-ho a small encouraging smile. He stayed close as the two of you maneuvered through the crowd, speaking in hushed whispers as the voting process was explained to you.
“Are you staying, big sis?” he asked tentatively as player 456 ventured forward after being called upon. “If we both stay, we should stick together. Then the prize money will be more in the next round.”
“That’s if we both make it out alive,” you whispered back, giving him a serious look. “Is it really worth your life?”
That seemed to give him pause. The hesitation was almost palpable on his face as more and more people cast their vote. You turned your attention to the screen, seeing the number of X’s and O’s climbing steadily.
“I can’t go back without it…” he sighed next to you. “My debt… it isn’t something I can only partially pay for.” There was a look of uncertainty behind his gaze, but beyond that, you could sense that he reeked of desperation. Something you knew all too well.
The buzzers continued going off in the distance, the guard calling them out one by one.
“Player 421.”
Another O.
“Player 418.”
Another X.
You supposed that once you were up there on that podium, it really made the situation a lot more difficult than it would be if everyone were forced to play the next game. You actively chose whether or not to leave.
“It’s all up to you, Dae-ho,” you said evenly, your hand reaching out to grasp his. His eyes locked onto yours. “You need to decide on what’s right for you. Not anyone else.” A gentle smile curved its way onto your face as you gave his hand a light squeeze.
It seemed to do the trick as the sudden panic seemed to dissipate from his face, replaced by a calmer expression.
“Thank you,” he whispered, returning the gesture. His hand remained entangled in yours from that point on right up until they called his number. Brown eyes locked onto yours, a firm and almost grateful nod greeting you before he finally let go of your hand and walked towards the front.
It came as no surprise when he pressed O.
Without Dae-ho next to you however, it was a lot harder to stave off your own unwanted thoughts.
At first, you were adamant on pressing the X button and getting the hell out of here. You never intended on stumbling into this mess anyway. But the thought of what would be waiting for you out there had you second guessing yourself.
“Player 333.”
Another O.
“Player 320.”
Another X.
Your fingers trembled slightly without Dae-ho’s hand to hold onto as your mind started to race. What if these people dropped you off at the same place they found you? Would your husband be waiting? Would they have followed the van? Would they come here?
“Player 268,”
Another O.
“Player 254.”
There was a grunt behind you before the man in question pushed past roughly, knocking into you. You humphed in response as you lost your footing for a moment, accidentally stumbling into someone else.
“Oh! I’m so sorry,” you gasped, your back making contact with a hard chest. You drew back immediately. Instinctively, you brought your arms up to your chest, keeping your limbs close to avoid flailing. You half expected the person to lash out at you. After all, everyone was so high strung here.
What you didn’t expect however, was the gentle touch to the small of your back, steadying you as you regained your balance.
“Don’t worry about it,” a deep voice murmured next to you.
Your eyes snapped up to its source, an irrational part of you imagining your husband’s face peering down at you. But the dark eyes that met yours were nothing like his at all.
You wouldn’t say they were warm. No, they were anything but. But the light look he gave you had seemed to loosen the vice grip on your heart. His mouth curved up slightly at the end as he removed his hand, nodding at you in a show of goodwill.
No harm done , it said.
You couldn’t help returning his smile before you turned to the front again. The numbers on the board were almost neck in neck as the players continued to vote. Almost being the key word.
The O’s were lagging behind a little. A feeling of dread settled in the pit of your stomach. You wanted these games to end as much as anyone else. But the prospect of going back out there - of facing the world in which your husband held all the cards - it terrified you. More than a man with a gun ever could.
At least here, there were rules. Rules that didn’t have any loopholes or secret agenda. Here, you were surrounded by people who didn’t know you. People who couldn’t be bought or bribed to hand you over to the man that had spent the last six years making your life a living hell.
“Player 251.”
Another X.
If you could stay here just a little longer. Just one more day to gather your nerves, to formulate a plan on how to escape once you were outside again. Your fear was palpable. Maybe if you could find a way to speak to the guards…
“Player 239.”
What?
Your head shot up, eyes wide as you peered ahead of you. The sea of faces that surrounded you all started looking to the sides, eyes searching silently. For you.
“Player 239,” the guard repeated when you didn’t move. A low murmur stirred to life in the silent hall as the remaining players turned around, checking the numbers around them.
You curled your fingers into a tight fist to stop the slight tremble from betraying your lapse in bravery. You weren’t ready to vote yet. You weren’t ready to make a decision. This was too much.
Player 100 whipped his head around, angry eyes scouring the crowd that remained. You couldn’t meet his gaze. All you could focus on was the long path toward the voting station.
“You should take your own advice,” the familiar baritone from before spoke, breaking through your mild panic. Your head snapped up, meeting the same dark hues you’d seen earlier peering down at you.
A sudden calmness settled over your racing heart as you blinked back at him. This time, you found yourself slightly captivated by him. This stranger had an air of quiet intensity that was impossible to ignore. His tousled dark hair fell effortlessly across his forehead, framing the sharp angular lines of his features below.
If you’d been in any other state of mind, you might even have called him handsome. But his statement only served to remind you of what you had said earlier to the boy who was no longer at your side.
‘You need to decide on what’s right for you. Not anyone else.’
You swallowed thickly, nodding at him in acknowledgement. A silent thank you for grounding you in a time like this.
“Player 239.”
“I’m here!” you yelped, slowly pushing through the crowd with small ‘excuse me’s’ guiding you through. You could vaguely hear the old grouch that was Player 100 grumble under his breath as you made your way down the aisle, the voting panel a monument of dread as you drew closer.
You locked eyes with Dae-ho in passing, a supportive look on his face as he gave you two thumbs up. It should have brought a smile to your face. But it didn’t.
Once you arrived at the podium, the two buttons glared up at you menacingly. A decision lay before you, one that you dreaded making.
But the strange man’s encouragement seemed to ring true just then.
What was best for you?
X
Or O.
You knew this part of the game. In chess, you referred to this particular moment as a Zugzwang; a situation in which any move you make will result in a disadvantage. But staying still is not an option.
You have to move.
.
.
‘I’m not going back there.’
Beep.
Another O.
You weren’t even sure you had pressed the button amidst the series of cheers that erupted from the other players who had voted to stay. Your hand lingered on the buzzer for a moment as if grasping the weight of your decision before you finally pulled back and made your way over to the O side.
Dae-ho pushed through the small crowd of people to get to you.
“You’re staying?” he asked, disbelief evident on his face. You gave him a wry smile.
“I couldn’t let you go at this alone. Who’s gonna catch you next time?”
The toothy grin he gave you was enough to melt your heart. He didn’t need to know the real reason you chose to stay. No one did.
“Wait a minute, everyone!”
You knew that voice. Slowly, you turned, not the least bit surprised to see player 456 pushing through to stand in the centre of the room. When he started shouting however, you couldn’t help the slight sting in your chest. His words only seemed to drive home the guilt you felt already for possibly endangering all the other lives here.
“We have to get out of here now. With a majority vote, we can! We must stop here-”
“Who do you think you are?!”
This was getting bad. It seemed like the other players were getting tired of his interference. Or maybe, he was making them feel guilty too.
You and Dae-ho listened silently as more and more people joined in the argument until finally, with an alarming amount of hostility, 456 announced that he had played these games before.
That, in and of itself, garnered mixed reactions, but before it could unfold any further, the guards stepped in. You had a feeling their warning about disruptions to the voting process this time was a lot more serious than the others acknowledged.
Players approached the podium, buzzing in their vote and stepping off to join the others. And as they did so, you watched in horror as the numbers above the screen slowly closed in on each other.
“Player 004,” the guard called.
This time, the beep of the buzzer elicited a strangled gasp of anticipation from the crowd. You dared to look up.
X: 182 | O: 182
Your heart squeezed.
“Lastly, Player 001.”
Without meaning to, your attention snapped to the only person remaining. Your eyes widened slightly, breath catching as you caught sight of his face. That was the same man you’d bumped into earlier. The handsome stranger who offered you words of encouragement.
And he was looking at you.
You clenched your hand tightly into the fabric of your pants, holding your breath as he tore his calculating eyes away from you and proceeded down the aisle.
How long had he been staring at you? Were you that out of place here? Was he upset that you’d bumped into him?
A series of irrational thoughts flooded your already strained psyche. You knew you were overthinking things. He’d probably just happened to glance your way as that was where Player 004 had come to stand after his vote.
It was a pity that the sound reasoning you provided wasn’t enough to set your mind at ease. A cacophony of shouts erupted around you as people shouted their votes in the hopes to assuage this strange man. Even Dae-ho joined in. But you couldn’t seem to tear your eyes off the board.
If he voted X…
You thought you were going to throw up. Beads of sweat formed at the top of your temple, bile forcing its way up your throat. You couldn’t go back. Not yet.
Please, not yet.
You grit your teeth as fresh waves of panic washed over you, a sickening lightheadedness taking over.
“Big sis?” you heard vaguely next to you. But you weren’t there anymore. You were back in that damned room, your knuckles bleeding from all the times you banged on the door, your throat screamed raw as you begged to be let out.
It was a door you couldn’t keep open. A room so dark. A place so lonely. And you were in it. You-
Beep.
The cheers that erupted around you snapped you back to reality as a new reading appeared on the board.
X: 182 | O: 183
He voted O.
Everyone on your side of the room celebrated their victory with glee, shouts of elation deafening the now silent and terrified X’s. Player 456 looked utterly gutted. Beyond defeated. And yet, you found yourself almost crying in relief.
Your eyes stung as moisture gathered at the corners of your eye, a relieved laugh that bordered on a sob escaping you as you sniffed down the sudden influx of emotion.
You were safe for one more day.
“Big sis, what’s wrong?” Dae-ho asked, his worried brown eyes peering down at you. His small hands came to rest on your shoulders again and this time, you reached up to rest yours over his.
“Nothing,” you assured him, swallowing down the lump in your throat. “Just an emotional day.”
Dae-ho didn’t seem convinced. In truth, he’d almost thought you were going to pass out. He said as much, offering that as his reason for not letting go of you immediately. You allowed him to steer you back towards the bunk beds, a warm feeling spreading across your chest at the way he fawned over you.
But you couldn’t help taking one last look behind you at the voting board. Just to confirm what had just happened. But you never made it that far. Instead, your eyes landed on the familiar face of Player 001, now surrounded by other O’s. And this time, you knew it wasn’t a coincidence when you found those dark eyes following your movements.
Something flickered across his face just then, his brows furrowing slightly as he watched you and Dae-ho retreat to the bunks. Something that was a unique mix of confusion…
…and interest.