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NINETEEN | SILENCE BEFORE
THE STORM

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THE TRIANGLE MASKED guards tugged the two up and dragged them to the large room where everyone was being asked to file themselves in a straight line. Soo-Jin and Minjun went back to their group and she swore she almost collapsed on her knees when her mind finally registered she was still breathing and alive.

"Soo-Jin! Minjun!" Gi-Hun called her. "Where the hell have you two been?"

"I..."

"We..."

"Get up!" One of the staffers aimed their rifle at the old man who was still lying on his bed. He was wincing and she was concerned at the pained expression in his face. "Now!"

"Listen, he's very sick right now, sir."

Soo-Jin went over to the old man and placed her hand on his forehead then to his neck. "God, he's burning up."

"I don't care. Get up, 001."

At that, the woman just felt something within her shift and she confronted the guard. She remembered everything Jun-Ho told her about the organ harvesters and clenched her fist. "Can't you see he is sick right now, you fucking piece of shit!" Her voice boomed across the room and Soo-Jin mustered all her rage in her gaze.

"I'll give you five minutes to get him up, 321... or I'll kill him."

The guard backed away after that and brought Gi-Hun and Minjun to the center of the room while the woman stayed to help the old man to stand. "Shit." she mumbled. She didn't know why, but her heart was breaking already by how he fragile he looked. Her adoptive parents were in her mind as she wiped away his sweat. "Sir, are you really sure you can do this?"

He inclined his head. "We have to, Se-Ri."

"Se-Ri? Who's Se-Ri, sir? Is that your daughter's name? or your granddaughter's?"

He didn't answer.

She sighed. "Sir, do you... still remember where and when your son and daughter-in- law's car crash happened? Is their daughter still alive?"

At this, he blinked and almost immediately, he smiled. "Yes! I remember... it was in..." He swallowed. "It was in... their daughter is..."

"It's okay, sir! I shouldn't have asked." Soo-Jin regretted she even questioned. The elderly needed sleep and here she was bothering him with such a silly question.

It wasn't that Soo-Jin didn't want to know who her biological parents was and be reunited with her real family. It was just... what difference would it make? In her opinion, it had been so long already. It didn't matter to her so much anymore. But, of course, if she finds her real family, she wouldn't be so closed to not knowing them.

Once they had finally reached the lines, the staffers inspected them one by one. Gi-Hun and Soo-Jin exchanged glances when they noticed the old man's wet trackpants. Her bestfriend removed his jacket. "Sir, let me help." Then, he tied it around the 001's waist.

Player 001 gazed down at the jacket and thanked him for his help while Soo-Jin gave him an encouraging thumbs-up. "You look great, sir."

The classical music, The Blue Danube, played once again in the speakers and the woman groaned. The fourth game was about to begin and she didn't get any sleep. She really regretted her decision to investigate about player 111, but then she wouldn't have come across Jun-Ho and meet the leader.

"Attention. The fourth game is about to begin. Please follow the staff's instructions and swiftly make your way towards the game hall. Let me repeat the instructions..."

A collective gasps and murmurs occurred at the front and it didn't take too long for Soo-Jin to see the hanging corpses in the ceiling. They were all bathed in blood. She swallowed and slowly began to survey the rest of their bodies. The crimson liquid cascaded like a waterfall down the front of their body, dripping like a water from a slightly unclosed faucet. Their arms and legs were bent at awkward angles as though they were marionettes. She sighed.

"Players, what you witness before you is what remains of those who broke the rules for their own benefit." announced a man in the speakers. "They tainted the pure and fair ideology everything here has been built upon. Each and every one of you is considered an equal within the walls of this facility. You must be guaranteed the same opportunities without being disadvantaged or facing any kind of discrimination."

Soo-Jin wanted to feel guilty, truly, but she didn't. That made her wonder why though.

"We truly apologize for allowing such an unacceptable incident to occur."

They resumed their walk to the next game hall, but they returned to all-white room they went in before the third game. It was easy to assume now that there was another game hall they will enter later.

"Players, welcome to the fourth game. For this game, you will be playing in teams of two. Please look around and find someone you wish to play with. When two people agree to play together, shake hands to show you have become partners."

Soo-Jin sat down at the corner, fighting her sleep. She needed her strength and wits again to survive this next twisted game. She began to think of the games they could play since they were instructed to find a partner.

"There can only be two players per team. You will have ten minutes to find your partner."

"Soo-Jin," Sang-Woo tapped her shoulder. "Where have you been earlier? You and Minjun disappeared for a few minutes. I was worried about you two."

She glanced up at him and circled her hand around his wrist, tugging him down. "Remember when I said I was going to take care of whoever was giving Deok-Su some information about the games?"

He nodded.

"Turns out, it was 111. He's a doctor and well, the dead guards you saw hanging with him earlier? They're all organ harvesters. They take the organs of the deceased players and sell them off."

"Oh, my god..."

"Minjun and I witnessed him getting shot by the leader -- "

"Wait, the leader's here?"

"Yes. We were even caught earlier by him, but he spared us."

Sang-Woo's body tensed at what she said and then cursed under his breath. "Ya, Soo-Jin, don't do anything rash again, okay?" He squeezed her hand. "Be sensible next time. I don't want you getting hurt."

"Yes. I'll be careful next time."

"Promise me."

"Yes, yes! I promise!"

"Good. Now, come on, we have to think of a strategy for the next game."

That's when Mi-Nyeo came into their view and started offering herself like a gift from above.

"Ya, handsome. Let's do this, huh? I'm better than you think. And I'm stronger than most guys too." She boasted. "Guess what? I know how to con just about anybody I see. I'm not a genius, but I still got it work out. Huh?"

Her ex tried to evade Mi-Nyeo, but she was persistent.

"Ya, let me play with you. Then, I'll be your dream girl all night long." flirted 212, biting her lip and winking. Soo-Jin blinked, but only pressed her lips tight to avoid confronting her for what she said. "I'll do anything you tell me. I'm not a regular girl. You're pretending that you do not want me on your team. Is that it?"

"Or maybe you, Soo-Jin! Aish, you bold woman! Let me play with you! I promise I'm not dead weight. I'm stronger than I look and I'm really smart! I was the one who was with you when that girl went -- "

"Mi-Nyeo..." Soo-Jin emphasized since she was about to mention Sae-Byeok's short trip to the vents before. She was scared that the guards may consider it cheating and execute her. She may not have said it yet, but the young girl was beginning to be like a sister to her. Sae-Byeok reminded her of Hana.

"Why? Can't decide? Want me to choose instead, huh?"

"Mi-Nyeo, we're not playing with you." bluntly stated Sang-Woo as he took Soo-Jin's hand.

"Fine! I'll find another instead! You two..." the curly-haired woman eyed them, scoffing. "are making a big mistake, and I'm going to make sure you're both going to regret it!"

At this, Sae-Byeok snapped, rolling her eyes at 212's behavior. "Stop embarrassing yourself. No one will want to play with you like this." She then glared at each of them. "And you should all be honest. You don't want a girl to team up with or an old guy."

"Of course, we don't. We could die. We already almost died in the previous round."

"This man is right, and it was Adam's rib the Lord used to make Eve after all." the prayerful man vocalized. "And that's the reason that we're choosing men. They played different roles than women."

"Well, you sexist idiot," Soo-Jin turned her head towards him, giving the deadliest glare she could summon. "this woman standing in front of you is the one who originally came up with that three steps forward to slack the rope during the previous game."

"Yes." agreed 240, clicking her tongue. "You haven't really thanked her for that, you idiot. Also, we're not playing in Eden right now so you can please just stop?"

"Your wisdom came from the Lord, 321, do not take all the credit for yourself." retaliated player 244.

Soo-Jin was about to counter his statement, but Sang-Woo interrupted her, asserting his leadership. "Stop. Let's not fight, not right now. We have eight minutes left to find a partner. Soo-Jin, what do you think we should do?"

The achiever shut her eyes for a moment. They don't know what the next game would be and they were being asked to play by pairs. That could mean that they have to play against each other. They have to beat the other pairs.

Her eyes flickered to player 001 was at the corner, sitting wth his knees tucked in front of him. He was alone and she was more than one hundred percent certain no one would play with him since he was old.

Now. Soo-Jin wanted to live.

But, then her heart always went to those who were in need of help.

Who knew kindness would be such a weakness?

Soo-Jin did, but she still refused to believe it would be.

Because of hope.

Oh, hope, what have you done?

She sighed. "The man who's been cheating is gone, and obviously, we're now an uneven number. Once everyone is in pairs, there'll be one person who will be left. I can only assume they'll be..." the woman gulped. "well, killed."

"What are you suggesting, Soo-Jin?"

"I have absolutely no idea what the game will be, but I can only assume that we will play against each pair."

"That's my theory too." voiced out Sang-Woo.

"Gi-Hun, Ali... you two go together. Sae-Byeok and you, uh, 240... what's your name? I didn't get yours."

"It's Ji-Yeong."

"Hello, Ji-Yeong. Welcome to the club." She offered a small smile then nodded. "So, yes, Sae-Byeok and Ji-Yeong. You, 240 and 196. Then, you, Sang-Woo and Minjun. I'll go play with 001."

"Good pairing, 321. The Lord has given you wisdom again. Let's go." claimed the priest as he left with his partner. Soo-Jin nodded and set off to pair with the old man when Sang-Woo snatched her wrist. He brought her to the corner where they conversed about her decision.

"Wait, wait," uttered he, his tone anxious. "you're putting yourself at a disadvantage, Soo-Jin."

Actually, Soo-Jin had several reasons why she paired one member of theirs to another. First, Gi-Hun and Ali, this was because she knew Ali would be alert and strong enough to keep her bestfriend alive. Second, 240 and 196, because she could see they seem to trust each other. Then, Sae-Byeok and Ji-Yeong, since she could see they were both stubborn and strong-willed individuals and lastly, Sang-Woo and Minjun because she herself will be partnering with the elderly man.

"Yes," She nodded. "I know. I'm aware. But, I just can't leave him here, Sang-Woo. God only knows what they'll do to him if he's not paired with anyone."

"You just promised me you'll be careful." he grunted, distress clear in his eyes. "Why don't we just pair together and play this game?"

"No, no. I need you to protect Minjun for me, Sang-Woo. Please. Do that for me." she squeezed his hand and lifted it up to her lips, softly kissing it. "Please. I know you'll keep him safe for me."

"You're really going to do this?" mumbled he. "Even if it might kill you?"

She then remembered what she told him the night he gave her that ice pack and treated her bruise. "I'll survive. Somehow, I always do."

Soo-Jin could see that he didn't want to let her go, but she placed her hand on his cheek. "I'll be safe. I promise."

And with that assurance from her, he surrendered. "Fine." He leant against her warm palm. "Please, be careful."

She smiled. "I trust you."

"I trust you."

Oh, little did she know, that was the last time Soo-Jin was going to see some of them alive.

"The time for finding a partner is now over."

And Min-Nyeo suddenly panicked, roaming around to grab any player she could to be her partner. "You guys, you're all making a big mistake. Do you really think you can win without me on your team? It's me, Han Mi-nyeo! I've made suckers out of everyone there is from Dongducheon to Gangnam!"

Soo-Jin offered her hand to the elderly man with a gentle smile on her face. "Let's play together, sir."

He lifted his head. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Guys..." Mi-Nyeo complained. "What if you have to play Gonggi or Elastics? I'm an expert in those!" She continued to yell even after Soo-Jin helped the elderly man get across the white walled room.

Actually, the brunette really considered partnering with her, but she couldn't let the old man die for she remembers her adoptive parents in him. Not many knew about it, but Soo-Jin would volunteer in elderly nursing homes whenever she could because she felt, in some way, she was with her parents.

"Ya, don't trust this scumbag! He's a jerk. He's just gonna throw you under the bus. That dead doctor and him worked together. He played you! He just wanted to save his own ass, so he kept it secret from you all."

Once they crossed over to the fourth game hall, the woman's lips fell at how aesthetically beautiful it was. It was an old neighborhood and the scenery had a sun setting. The sky was a beautiful mixture of orange and red and she was reminded of the times she would come home in Ssangmun-dong from school. Fair-sized house built of red bricks were around and the woman thought she was back in her old neighborhood. One would even think they were in a real setting since the houses looked very authentic.

"You know, when I was a kid, I live in a neighborhood just like this."

"Your old neighborhood looks like this, sir?"

"Yes!"

"Players, please take one bag each from the staff member before you." commanded the game manager. Soo-Jin took two brown pouches from the guard and gently shook it, crossing her eyebrows when the objects inside clinked like there were glasses inside. She gave the other bag to her partner. "There should be a set of ten marbles in each bag. Please check to confirm the number."

Soo-Jin frowned when she heard the word marbles. Were they going to play against a pair with this marbles? She really hoped they wouldn't be forced to play against the people she paired earlier herself. She counted the marbles and then faced her partner.

"It's marbles. Sir, we're gonna be playing with this. Are you familiar with it?"

"Ah, yes, very familiar, Soo-Jin. Used to have a lot as a kid." narrated 001, grinning. He was so excited that even his body was moving like he was in a groove. "Oh, yes, back in the day, and you know, I was pretty good."

Soo-Jin shared his grin. "I bet you are. Well, I'm not too bad myself. But, then, when am I bad at anything? Just kidding."

They chuckled.

"Ah, that's good news to hear. I'm glad it's not just about our strength, sir."

"That means you and I are... gganbu now, pretty great."

Soo-Jin blinked at the word. "Gganbu?"

"I thought you said you played this before, Soo-Jin. Gganbu, come on, you know. It's a good friend. One who you trust a lot. You share things with them, you see?"

"Ah! Your marbles, everything." Soo-Jin nodded, understanding immediately what he meant. "A gganbu. I remember now. Gganbu.. well, I had two in my town. I used to do everything with them." She happily reminisced her happy childhood with her friends. "I'm sure you've met them. They're Gi-Hun, and Sang-Woo. I grew up with them."

"Oh, they are your neighborhood friends?"

"Well," The woman shrugged. "Gi-Hun is my childhood bestfriend and Sang-Woo is..." She chuckled. "My former boyfriend. We just all haven't talked for a long time, well, until this games."

"Are you happy you saw them again?"

"Very much, yeah. I missed them, a lot." the brunette licked her lips and looked down at the ground. "I'm very much glad to be your gganbu -- no, wait, scratch that... gajok. We're gajok. Family."

At that, 001 beamed, and he lightly shook his head in mirth. "Yes! Family! Should we do this to make it official?" He put up his pinky finger.

Soo-Jin laughed and entwined her own pinky finger with his. "Yeah, family. Like this. You and me, sir... we're gajok. We'll go around this whole town, and take all the marbles." She then paused, remembering her friends. "Well, hopefully not all, since you know..."

They chortled.

"In this game, using your set of ten marbles, you will play the game of your choice with your partner." proclaimed the woman in the speakers, causing Soo-Jin's smile to falter. It was then that she felt her whole world crash and burn when she heard the next instruction. "The player who manages to take all ten marbles from their partner wins."

Soo-Jin placed a hand above her head, suddenly feeling dizzy. Her whole surroundings was spinning as she realized that Gi-Hun would have to compete against Ali, Sae-Byeok against Ji-Yeong, Sang-Woo against Minjun, and her against the elderly man.

Oh, what had she just done?

i trust you is the new i love you. period.
also, who's dying?