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SEVEN | KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME

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"YA! YA! OPEN the door, you jerks!"

Player 212 screeched by the door, hitting it loudly. Soo-Jin twisted her body around and grabbed her pillow to cover her head and shut her shrieking voice. She was sure if she heard her scream one more time, her ears was going to bleed.

"I have to pee really bad, right now! Don't you jerks ever take a leak? Let me use the restroom! I gotta go now! Hey, just let me use the bathroom for one second. Jeez, come on!"

Soo-Jin growled, controlling her temper. She was resisting the urge to slap her and the guards since she wanted to sleep. Who knew what kind of crazy game they were going to play the next day? She will need all her strength and wits tomorrow to come up with a survival plan.

"Look, it's mostly men in here, okay? Want a puddle here?" complained player 212. "Damn it! Damn you, scumbags! I hope you're ashamed. Treat us like humans, damn it! Who do you think you are?"

Pissed off, she stood up from her bed and marched toward the door, striking it so hard the wavy-haired woman beside her was startled. "Ya, Triangle head! Yes, you, you nitwit! Open the door right now, I want to use the restroom as well."

The triangle masked guard leant close to the door. "You may not leave this room past your given curfew."

"Are you the supervisor?" she deadpanned. "Do you masked guys think you control when I'm or we are supposed to pee?"

Actually, she didn't really want to go the restroom since she had nothing to do there. She just wanted to get rid of the shrieking woman so she can have her sleep.

The triangle masked guard who Soo-Jin assumed was the supervisor left without a word.

"Oh, what the... You freaking bastards! You don't think I'll go pee right here and now?" screamed 212. "Ya, 321! Let's go make them hear some rain. What do you think, huh?"

Unbothered, she gripped the waistband of her trackpants and bent down. "Oh, well. Here I go."

"Ya, you idiots! You all ready to hear some rain from the two of us?"

At that moment, the door opened, and in came the red-clad supervisor. "Follow me."

"Damn, Koreans won't listen to someone until they start screaming at you. Goddamn it!" The brunette and 212 sauntered forward, making their way to the door when the young girl who Soo-Jin helped yesterday barged in.

"I gotta go."

212 scoffed. "Oh, yeah? I beg to get the damn toilet, and you're gonna sit right on top of it like that?"

The girl only shot the wavy-haired woman a glare, and pushed her aside to get out of the large room. "Ya! You're a pretty annoying girl, aren't you? What a rude little brat. Ya!"

The three made their way to the comfort room which was for both boys and girls. Again, Soo-Jin didn't to come, but then she was curious about where she was. She was then reminded of Jun-Ho whose brother was involved in the games as well. Was his brother one of the current players? She badly wanted to contact the police officer to give out information to him, but then she'll need her phone. For now, she can only explore the place.

Upon arriving, Soo-Jin felt the need to take a leak and did so. That was when heard soft whimpers and giggles coming from one of the stalls and sighed when she heard the click of a lighter. She shook her head. So, player 212 just wanted to smoke and made a scene just to do that. Emerging from her stall, she was then suddenly approached by 067 who had a stern expression and a gleam in her eye.

"Buy me some time."

Soo-Jin cocked an eyebrow. "And why would I do that?"

She didn't say anything else and instead, proceeded to yank the stall door where 212 was in.

"Ya!" exclaimed 212. "Don't scare me like that!"

Soo-Jin tilted her head to peek inside and gave the shrieking woman in front a look of disappointment. "What?" She gasped, dryly coughing. "Wanna smoke a little?"

"You can stay put on the bowl and smoke some more." The girl replied, steely, then climbing up to the toilet bowl. Pulling out a pocket knife, she began to unscrew the air vent in the ceiling.

"What are you doing?"

Soo-Jin furrowed her eyebrows and stepped forward. "Wait, are you going to go in there?"

"I wanna see what's up there. Like I told you earlier," the girl glimpsed at the brunette, tying her hair up. "buy me some time. I'll tell you if I find anything."

"Deal. Step up here." offered the smoking woman and 067 used her as leverage to get inside the vents. Right after that, player 212 handed Soo-Jin her cigarette and started a scene. The female achiever shook her head and crushed the lit tobacco under her shoe.

"Oh, my God! I bet the hell I've been here today!" bellowed 212, groaning. "It hurts a lot! It's like trying to push out a kid! Ah! I'm dying!"

Soo-Jin quickly caught up with the act and exchanged words with her. Putting up her most exagerrated expression, she then yelled, "Ya! What the fuck did you eat, woman? Are you constipated?"

The wavy-haired woman screamed, exaggeratedly. "I'm dying! Help me!"

"That is the most disgusting shit I've ever smelt in my entire life!"

"Why won't it come out?!"

"Come on, 212! Push the fuck out now! Breathing exercises with me! Hee-hee, hoo-hoo!" Soo-Jin inhaled and exhaled.

"Get me a tissue!"

"There is no fucking tissue!"

Loud knocks were heard in the bathroom door and both Soo-Jin and 212 widened their eyes in panic. While the brunette shut her eyes to come up with another plan to delay the guard further, the other female continued to scream her lungs out. "Help me, 321! It's like I'm pushing a kid out of my vagina!"

"Do you really have a kid though?"

"No!"

Soo-Jin grimaced. "You were lying?" She then shook her head. "Nevermind. Come on, look at me, 212! You can do this!"

Then, the two screeched like dying cats.

"It's time to go back!" demanded the guard outside the door. "or I will be forced to go in!

"No!" bellowed Soo-Jin, desperately. "Do not come in! I swear to god, you will die! It's a murder scene in here except it's feces instead of blood!"

"Just give me a second, okay? Come on, you. Oh, it's all blocked. You bastard, get out! Hurry the hell up! We're in a rush, okay? Come out now!" This time, her companion yelled at the vents to serve as a warning for the girl to come back.

"You need to go back." That was when the two of them heard the doorknob turning and 212 immediately rushed to the sink.

"Wait! Stop! No! Wait! They're gone! All of the stool wipes are gone! Ah, shit!" She opened the faucet and let the water flow. Yeah, but I'll use the sink. No, don't come in. You just stay out there!" She panicked. "Did you hear that? Don't come in here. I'm not wearing pants, okay?"

Pants. Clothes. Soo-Jin blinked and then diverted her eyes to the shower. Narrowing her eyes, she stripped off her shirt, shoes, and trackpants, leaving her only in her racerback bra and black boyshort underwear.

"What are you doing?" aggressively whispered 212 who saw her removing her outer clothes.

"Improvise." Turning on the shower, the brunette let it flow through her skin. "Ya! The water is nice in here! I'll take a shower first, sir! I smell so bad, I swear!"

"No, you're not allowed to take a shower. I'm opening this door now!"

067, you owe me one for this. Soo-Jin thought as she then marched over to the door and opened it wide, letting the triangle masked guard see her best assets and curves.

She immediately shut the door behind her and leant against the door frame, seductively. She greatly hoped her idea will work or else, they will be caught and maybe... killed. Running her fingers through her hair, she bit her bottom lip, fluttering her eyelashes.

"Sir," She slowly ran her finger across his chest, pouting. "Please, let me take a shower. That woman's disgusting shit is all over me and I'm not sleeping smelling like death and dirty."

"You are not going to take a shower, player 321. You and the rest are coming out now." ardently argued their watcher although the young woman could already hear the heavy breathing in his voice. Men, always so easy to distract.

"Please, sir. Do you want a woman like me to be dirty?" She huskily spoke and then tutted when she noticed his head bending down. "Ah, ah, ah... keep your eyes on me, sir. Look, I just want to be clean before I sleep. You're the only one who can make me feel that."

A long pause. "Three minutes."

She flashed a smile. "Not five?"

"Only three."

"Okay, then can you get me a towel?"

He didn't speak and walked off, ordering one of the other guards to fetch him a bath towel. Instantly, Soo-Jin rushed inside the bathroom and looked up at the vents. "Where is she?"

"Oh, my god! I like you, you bold woman!"

Not paying her any attention, Soo-Jin let the shower flow and looked back to the vent. What was taking the girl so long?

"Your three minutes is up! You have to come out now."

"Damn it! There's no toilet paper here either!"

Exactly at that time, the girl appeared and climbed down the vent. Soo-Jin helped her then close it and the three of them hastily moved around to make it seem 212 was still dumping her junk. The brunette then went to the shower stall and hid inside. They were safe.

"If you don't, I'll drag you out."

The door opened abruptly.

"I have to wipe myself, okay! Hey, aren't you supposed to check each stall for toilet paper! Get that square guy here! I need to file a complaint!"

One of the stall doors swung open and Soo-Jin assumed it was where 067 and 212 were in. "You bastard, what the hell?

A loud slam and then, she made her entrance. Peeking, she waved her hand to the triangle masked watcher. "Hello, thank you so much for giving me the time to shower! May I have the towel now?"

He handed her towel and a pair of new underwear and tracksuit. Soo-Jin grinned and dried herself, smirking as she wore the dry and clean clothes.

"I can't believe this." She heard player 212 huff outside. "You little bastard! You... Ya, jerkface! You, We said don't come in, didn't we? You harassed us in there, yeah? That woman even had to come out half-naked so you'd listen! Ya, the second I'm out of here, I'll sue your ass, okay? Is that clear? Asshole!"

Soo-Jin wrapped the towel around her head to dry her hair and left her stall. "Don't worry, I won't sue you." She winked, following the other women out of the bathroom. "Thank you again."

The three of them were then led back to the large room when 212 began pestering the young girl with questions. "Ya, what did you see? Huh? Come on, what did you see?"

"I'll tell you two tomorrow."

"Why tomorrow? Just tell us now. Ya, what did you see?

"She said she'll tell us tomorrow." sharply noted Soo-Jin. "It's too dangerous for her to say it here."

But, of course, the other female refused to listen and Soo-Jin sighed, walking over to her designated bunker bed, removing her towel.

What a very fucking long day.

HOURS LATER, THE woman jumped up from her bed when she heard the loud beeping noise coming from the speakers. She didn't receive her full sleep since she waited for her hair to dry. She was irritated and it was clearly expressed on her face.

"Attention. It is now time for breakfast. All players, please form a line in the center of the room."

Soo-Jin helped Minjun get down from his top bed and they both walked over to the center when she heard the two women she was with in the bathroom earlier.

"Ya! What did you see? Tell me now. It's the morning now, you said you would. You were in there for a while, so go on."

Excusing herself from Minjun, she approached the two, listening to their conversation. "Ya, 67, what did you see there?"

The girl narrowed her eyes. "Masked guys with pots, and they were melting a liquid down there."

"What was it?"

"I couldn't tell what."

"Goddamn it!" complained the wavy-haired woman. "I had to put on that whole show just to save your life back there, and you couldn't tell?"

"I smelled it, though."

Soo-Jin advanced forward. "What did it smell like?"

"Sugar or something."

The brunette tilted her head to the side, trying to figure out if it was related to the game or what else.

"You kidding me? Are you saying they were melting sugar in there?"

"I think they were."

"So, it was just that?" The wavy-haired female then sighed. "Girl. Look, if you aren't telling me everything, I'll burn your eyes out with cigarettes." She threatened and the young girl tilted her head in response as if to challenge her.

212 relented at the sight of the other player's expression. "I guess I'm hungry. I'm craving something sweet. Goddamn it. Maybe they'll give us candied sweet potatoes today." She then strolled to the open area, leaving Soo-Jin and 067 alone.

"Come on, let's eat. Maybe it was just for our food for today." invited Soo-Jin, shrugging.

"They were melting the sugar in these large pots."

The woman blinked and spun around, nonplussed. Was it indeed for the game? She could only recall one game that needed sugar. Honeycomb. She shook her head. What else could it be for? Were they going to put them in some challenge and if they fail, they'll pour the boiling sugar on their heads? She shuddered at that thought, recalling a horror movie that she saw once.

"Aish, what a very Saw-inspired move if they do that." She mumbled under her breath.

"Thank you, by the way." voiced out the young girl. "You bought me enough time there. You even showered just to delay that guard."

Soo-Jin chuckled. "Well, that's what you told me to do so..." She shrugged. "You're welcome, anyway. Now, come on, let's eat. We might die in the next game and I don't want to look hungry."

Soo-Jin kindly took the bread and milk the guards gave her and thanked them, walking over to her group that had gathered themselves at the side. She was munching her food when she heard the foreigner speak.

"Ya, sir. Why aren't you eating that?"

Sang-Woo slightly jumped and he swept his gaze to the bread beside him. Picking it up, he offered it to him. "Have it."

"Do you mean it?"

"I don't eat most mornings."

Soo-Jin sighed. Sang-Woo hadn't changed a bit. It was always her who would eat in the morning. Oftentimes, he'll cook for her and bring it to her apartment before she leaves for her first class. If they were both rushing though, they'd just grab some snack and coffee from the café near their university.

"Thanks so much, sir!"

"You know, geniuses never eat much." commented Gi-Hun, lowly which Sang-Woo countered with a sigh. He then offered his bottle of milk to the foreigner. "Take mine too."

"Thank you, sir!"

Soo-Jin smiled, giving them thumbs-up, proud of their actions.

"Soo-Jin..."

The brunette arched her eyebrow when she realized Sang-Woo leant close to her ear. "What did you and that girl see there?"

"How did you -- "

That's when classical music played on speakers and the woman recognized it as the The Blue Danube composed by Johann Strauss II. She felt slightly uncomfortable. She always heard it on ballroom parties and right now, it sounded ominous to her, even haunting.

"Attention. The second game will begin shortly. Please follow the staff's instructions and swiftly make your way towards the game hall. I will now repeat the instructions."

The guards then ordered them all to come forward and form a straight line to lead them outside. Once again, they were brought to the colorful labyrinth-like corridor. It reminded her of the lithograph print that was created by Escher called Relativity which illustrates the difference between the real world and gravity law. The creator of this warehouse did indeed saw their death games as art.

They soon reached a huge playground and Soo-Jin marveled at the kindergarten-inspired design around. They truly felt like kids and she didn't know if she should be happy or nervous about that. Whatever the next game was, for sure, she wouldn't be able to look at it without associating it with death.

"Why the hell is this playground so huge? What's the game here?"

"Players, welcome to the second game. We will begin shortly." announced a woman on the speakers, causing the players to talk to each other.

"Hey, what do we think? Huh?" Gi-Hun stared at her and Sang-Woo, pointing to one of the equipment. "Maybe that roundabout there. Jungle gym without falling?"

But, Soo-Jin's eyes were fixed on the shapes that were etched on the walls in front of her.

Circle.

Triangle.

Star.

Umbrella.

The woman sighed, internally wishing she had played more with Sang-Woo and Gi-Hun when she was still very young. She had been so focused on her studies that she refused to play under the sun because for her, books mattered more.

You can do this, Soo-Jin. She encouraged herself. You are smart, talented, and determined. You will survive.

"Players, before the second game begins, choose one of the four available shapes you see on the wall. Once you've chosen your shape, please stand in front of it."

"Does she mean those?" the foreigner directed his index finger to the shapes.

"So, our options are circle, triangle, star, umbrella."

"I don't know. They seem very familiar." said the old man, tilting his head.

"Sang-Woo."

Her ex snapped his head toward their childhood bestfriend, arching his eyebrow. "Huh?"

"Got anything?"

He shook his head. "Not yet."

Soo-Jin pursed her lips as the announcer repeated her instruction twice. "How are we going to play this?" She talked. It was as if there was something from her memory that was nagging at her, but it was blurry.

"What do you think it could be, Soo-Jin? Should we play this together?"

"I think, yeah, we should -- "

"That could be dangerous." cut off Sang-Woo, making Soo-Jin stare at him. "At this point, we don't know anything. I think it would put us at a disadvantage if we just choose one."

"You think?" She squinted her eyes and he peered directly into her eyes. They were certain and so, she believed him.

"Soo-Jin, there's this saying in investing. 'Try not to keep your eggs in the same basket.'"

Something within Soo-Jin was going alert, but she didn't pay attention to it. She trusted Sang-Woo for she knew he wouldn't do anything that jeopardize them all. They were on the same group.

"Okay, I believe you."

Gi-Hun chuckled and once again, praised him for his intellect. "Listen to him. He was first in his class in SNU Business School. And in my hometown, he was a genius. A prodigy. Both him and Soo-Jin. I will always trust their judgement."

"Really? Is that so? Well then, he is an incredible guy, huh?"

"Are you kidding me?" Gi-Hun grinned. "Like Sang-woo told us, let's all split up and take it from there, huh? Who should go where?"

At this, Sang-Woo spoke up, taking the opportunity to decide first. "All right, let me go triangle.

"What about you?"

The foreign man moved forward and raised his pointer finger. "Dayira."

Both the woman and her bestfriend inclined their heads toward him. "Huh?"

"Dayira." the immigrant repeated, drawing a circle in the air.

"Oh, you mean circle?" Soo-Jin beamed, nodding. "Okay. Wow, is that how you say circle in your language? Where are you from, by the way?"

"Pakistan, ma'am."

"Aish! I told you not to call me that!" She lightly slapped his shoulder, chuckling. "Pakistan, huh. I'll remember that word. Circle is dayira in Pakistan."

"Yeah, I'm choosing that since it looks just like the moon where I'm from."

"That's cute."

"What about you, Soo-Jin? And you, boy, back there?" Gi-Hun referred to Minjun. "What are you going to choose?"

"I'm still thinking, Gi-Hun."

"Aish, she'll always weigh and examine everything." her bestfriend chortled, turning to the old man. "She's such a perfectionist. Okay, so, we have star and umbrella, sir. You pick first. Go on."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Uh, then I'm choosing the umbrella."

Just at this moment, her ex suddenly diverted his gaze to their bestfriend, showing a slight sign of shock and panic. He swallowed. "You sure? Why?"

"Oh, growing up, I'd always lose my umbrella so my mom would get angry. So then, she gave me broken ones to bring to school. I always wanted her to get me one of those good umbrellas like the other kids." narrated Gi-Hun, making Soo-Jin smile and feel nostalgic. During their primary school years, she would always share her umbrella with him since he would always forget his. "Um, don't want the star? Or do you wanna switch with me?"

The old mam cleared his throat. "Oh, no, the star sounds great. Good with me. Besides, nobody really sees many stars these days."

Gi-Hun grinned in delight. "Okay, time's up for you, Soo-Jin and you... boy. What are your picks?"

The brunette surveyed the shapes drawn at the wall. She chewed her bottom lip, thinking and weighing her choices. She clenched her fist, slightly nervous. Whatever she chooses now might either save her or end her.

Her mind reverted back to the young girl's words earlier. What if they indeed melted those sugar to pour over their heads and they would have to cover their heads with the shape they chose? She then flickered her gaze to the umbrella.

The umbrella would indeed save her, yes.

But then, she remembered that that their first game was a kids' game. Could it be honeycomb? If it was, it was safer to choose a simple shape. She swallowed, looking at the triangle.

Tapping her foot, she declared, "I think I'm going with the triangle."

Soo-Jin heard Sang-Woo release a sigh and if she wasn't mistaken, it sounded like relief.

"I'm going with the umbrella."

"You sure about that, Minjun?" Soo-Jin spun around, slightly growing worried. "Why don't you join me and Sang-Woo with the triangle?"

Minjun shrugged, casually. "That umbrella shape is cute. I like it."

"Okay, if that's what you want. You stay close to me, okay? I'll help you in this game."

"Thank you, noona."

Soo-Jin smiled at him, patting his cheek.

"Great, let's get moving. Once we know what we're up against, let's set up a strategy together."

"Sure."

"All right."

"Gi-hun, wait." Sang-Woo called him as if he was going to say something.

Their friend hummed and her ex exhaled sharply then smiled. "Nothing."

Gi-Hun raised his fist and nodded, chuckling.

When the others left them behind, Soo-Jin leant close to her former lover. She couldn't shake the anxiety she was feeling like something was wrong and so, she turned to him for assurance and judgement. "Sang-Woo, 67 told me earlier that she saw them heating sugar. Do you think the game is Sugar Honeycomb? If it is, then Gi-Hun and Minjun shouldn't choose umbrella."

"It could be, but I'm not sure."

She sighed. "I think I'm going to advise them to choose a simple shape."

"No, don't. We aren't sure about it."

"I have a bad feeling about this. I'm going to warn them."

"Wait..."

But, Soo-Jin didn't listen to him. "Gi-Hun, Minjun, why don't you two choose a simpler shape, huh? You two are sure with your choice?"

Minjun pursed his lips. "I'm sure with my choice, miss. I like cute shapes. Besides, you'll help me, right?"

"Of course! You stay close to me, okay?"

The boy nodded and her bestfriend patted her shoulder. "Ya! You look like a worried mother whose son will be attending his first day in school. Calm down, okay? We'll be fine. We'll get through this. I'll choose the umbrella so I can accompany him too."

"Thank you, Gi-Hun."

And the three parted their ways, lining up to their chosen shapes. Soo-Jin was still anxious. She could feel a lump in her throat, but then ignored it. It's going to be okay. She assured. It's going to be okay.

"The time to select your shape has ended. I will now explain the rules of the next game."

The walls opened, revealing cases and guards inside. "All players, please take one case each from the table at the front of your line."

Soo-Jin took hers and proceeded to the corner, taking Minjun with her once he received his. She indeed wasn't going to let the boy out of her sight. "Please take a moment to open the case and check the contents."

Releasing a breath, the two opened their cases and almost immediately, the brunette felt the walls cave in around her.

She was right.

"The second game is sugar honeycomb."

The young woman swallowed and looked up to the ceiling. "God, I always hated this game."