By the time Jungkook and I reach the site of the clue, we're already too late. A half dozen bodies are scattered across the park. They look eerily similar to the girl I killed. That doesn't help my nausea—so strong that it threatens to bring me to my knees again.

In the center of the park, a golden paper box has been torn open. Its contents are nowhere to be found. Jungkook and I sink back into the shadows, hiding inside one of the side alleys.

"What do you think the clue was?" I ask. If my voice is still trembling, Jungkook doesn't comment.

"Maybe a map?" Jungkook says. "Or some type of riddle describing where the idols are hiding."

"What if they're not hiding?" I say.

He shrugs. "Sure. They could be on the move as well. Mr. Fame probably wants to make the games as interesting as possible. So maybe you're right. They're not staying in the same place."

"We have a whole two months," I say. "We didn't talk much about strategy."

"Stay alive for as long as possible," Jungkook says. "Search out the clues, but don't dive in recklessly. At this point, it's more important not to die."

"I think so too," I say. "Let's head back to the boathouse."

On the way back, Jungkook breaks into a restaurant from the back entrance and comes out with two ham sandwiches. We eat while walking, and I keep my ear trained for anyone following us. Even though I'm hoping I won't have to use my weapons again.

"Where did you learn to steal like that?" I ask Jungkook, breaking the silence when the Han River comes back into view.

He shrugs. "I'm self taught. There's nothing much to it. Just stay quiet and act invincible. Half of the battle is believing that no one will catch you."

"You could've survived as a thief," I say. "But a superstar? Your life will be completely different."

"Yours too, Cosma."

I haven't thought about anything except affording Zion's treatment. "I can't sing or dance."

"You can always learn," Jungkook says. "I can teach you."

"A thief who can sing and dance?" I make a face. "You are a bigger mystery the more I get to know you."

"My parents," Jungkook says. "Before they died, they paid to send me to an academy for the arts."

"Your parents...."

"They were killed by a burglar," he says, sensing my question. "I don't even know who killed them, let alone how to get justice. I guess that's part of the reason I learned how to be a thief.

"I'm sorry," I say. "I can't imagine what it's like to lose both parents."

"It sucks," Jungkook says. "But that was years ago. I had time to make peace with it, even though there are mornings where I wake up and expect to have breakfast with my mom and dad."

"Your parents believed in you," I say. "Paying for your art classes. They knew you could be a star."

"They did. Of course, they would've never approved of me entering League of Fame. But I'm doing this for them. I don't think they'd be happy with the whole thief thing. So if I win this thing, I'm dedicating my whole career to them."

As we make our way into the boathouse, I lean back against the wall and attempt to catch my breath. Talking with Jungkook helped, but still the nameless girl I shot is threatening to break my sanity. "Have you ever killed anyone?" I ask.

I already know his answer, but it helps to hear it from him. "Yes." It makes me feel like I'm not alone.

What a horrible thing—to feel better because this boy also has blood on his hands.

"You should get some sleep," Jungkook says. "There could be another clue tomorrow. I'll keep watch."

I'm too exhausted to argue about keeping watch. As I lay down, resting my head on a folded rag, I close my eyes and wonder if I'll ever find the peace to sleep without nightmares. I wonder how long it'll take me to accept what I did today. If there are more participants who will die by my hands....

It's best not to think too far ahead. Zion. This is for him. If he can hold onto life because of this, I'd do it again. I'd pull the trigger.