"This is a no-kill zone! This is a no-kill zone!" Namjoon's voice echoes all around me.

I share a glance with Jungkook. His eyes show just as much confusion as mine. "What does he mean?" I say, stumbling to a halt.

"If you draw your weapons, you'll be eliminated by yours truly," Namjoon says. "Come to the center of the square, and I'll explain the rules of this game."

Slowly, competitors enter the square, where Namjoon stands on a stage usually meant for street performers. There must be a dozen of us. Exiting the shadows for a chance at RM's clue. Most everyone has their hand on a weapon, ready to draw in case RM's promise turns to void.

"I decided that I'd give my clue out for free," Namjoon says. "Let's see... there are twelve of us in total. Perfect. Now, come near and don't be shy."

The competitors of League of Fame are in different states of distress. We're all suffering from the same ailment—desperation. It is eating me alive. If running out of time is the main enemy, desperation is the frame in which it comes.

"Time is running out," Namjoon says. "So I decided to give my item away in a game that a bunch of us could play at once."

He waves a book in the air. In the darkness, I can't make out the title, but it's small—small enough to fit in my pocket.

"Romeo and Juliet," Namjoon says. "Cliche, I know, but it's one of my favorites. And the rules of this game are simple. The first team who reenacts my favorite scene from the play wins the book. You have one minute. Starting now."

I share a panicked glance with Jungkook. "Have you read the play?" I ask.

"I've read it once," Jungkook says. "In middle school. It was required reading."

"I read it in middle school too," I say. "But I don't remember much besides the balcony scene."

"I don't think he'd choose that scene," Jungkook says.

All around us, the competitors are arguing. The noise in the square reflects the desperate panic that lives within us all. People are arranging themselves to reenact the scenes of the play.

"What do you know about Namjoon?" I ask Jungkook.

"All I know is that he won the first League of Fame with Jin," Jungkook says. "And that he's an amazing rapper."

"What scene would he like?" I ask.

"I think I know," Jungkook says. "But I want to know what you think."

I reflect on the play. I read it when all of Seoul seemed to be in despair—wondering whether we had enough resources to survive, whether the shield would hold, the riots for resources making our city unsafe for all. I think I know too.

"The last scene," I say. "When Juliet and Romeo killed themselves."

Jungkook nods. "I think it's that scene too."

"Ten seconds left," Namjoon announces.

I lay down on the cobbled path, gesturing for Jungkook to take my side. "Act like you're drinking poison," I tell him.

Jungkook sits down, acting like he's holding a vial and lifting it to his lips.

"Time is up!" Namjoon says.

Peeking around, I find that most people are reenacting the balcony scene, or moments when they declared their love for each other.

Namjoon looks around. My heart almost stops in my chest. His gaze lands on me and Jungkook.

"Looks like we have a winner," Namjoon says. "My favorite scene is the last scene, when both lovers kill themselves in tragedy."

I rise with Jungkook. The murmurs around us grow relentless—like our competitors are thinking of killing us right here and now.

"Don't get any ideas," Namjoon says. "If anyone wants to kill these two, I'll take you out myself." He taps the gun at his side—like he never actually left the League of Fame competition from the very first year. "What are your names?"

"Cosma," I say.

"Jungkook," my partner says.

"Well, you won this fair and square." RM steps off his platform. He presses the book into my hands. "Take care of this one," he says. "I will give you a minute to run off. Then, I'll release the other competitors. I can't keep you safe for very long. So you better hurry."

I stuff Shakespeare's play into my pocket. Then, looking at whether Jungkook is ready, I share a brief nod with him. Then we run away together—going southwest of the city.

I don't look back. And neither does Jungkook. For a minute, we focus on putting as much distance between us and the other players. And after that, we keep running. We run well after midnight, until we're completely sure that we're not being followed.

I feel the play in my pocket.

I take it out and keep my promise. I press it into Jungkook's hands. "Keep it safe," I say. "It's yours."

For a second, I see Jungkook hesitate. But he must know that I meant every word about making sure he's a winner. "Okay," he says.

And we press our backs against the barriers of an old apartment that's being demolished. It feels like I'm that building—one hit away from completely collapsing.

But I'll hold on a bit longer. We have one more item to win.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please vote and leave a comment, it will help this story quite a bit!