⭐️ —————— Mi-ya didn't feel like eating whatsoever, but she did. She wasn't happy that they'd have to play another game.

Another opportunity for her to loose her life and never see her family ever again.

She nibbled at her bread, wearily looking over at the 'O' side, who couldn't be happier, which made her roll her eyes.

Mi-ya glanced to the side as she felt Dae-ho's leg nudge hers. "He looks so lonely." He nodded his head towards Jung-bae, who sat across from them, his back facing them.

He had picked 'O', and moved away from them.

"Maybe you should go get him." Mi-ya softly suggested, shrugging her shoulders as she turned to look back at Dae-ho. "Bring him back to the group."

Dae-ho nodded his head as he turned to look over at Jung-bae, immediately calling out to him. "Brother!" He called out, but no reply. "Brother Jung-bae!"

But Jung-bae didn't turn around, keeping his head hung low, probably in shame. Dae-ho let out a sigh as he got to his feet and made his way over to Jung-bae.

Mi-ya watched with pursed lips, biting into the bread in her hands. "Hey, just come back here." Dae-ho insisted as he stared down at Jung-bae.

"No, I'm good here." Jung-bae claimed, but Dae-ho shook his head, reaching out to pull Jung-bae to his feet.

"You should've gone father away then." Dae-ho sassed as he dragged Jung-bae towards the group. "It bugs me seeing you sitting there all pathetic." He told him, moving to older men towards the group before sitting back down next to Mi-ya.

There was an awkward silence for a moment, but Mi-ya friendly smiled up at Jung-bae, trying to ease his nerves. "I'm sorry." The older man spoke up. "Jun-hee, Young-il, Mi-ya, I'm sorry." He looked at the three, making Mi-ya nod her head. Jung-bae then turned to Gi-hun. "Gi-hun, I'm sorry."

But Gi-hun didn't raise his head to meet Jung-bae's apologetic look.

"I borrowed some emergency cash, and the creditors are harassing my ex-wife and kid." Jung-bae started to explain, making Mi-ya'd brows pinch together, looking up at the man with a sympathetic look. "If I play one more game, I think I'll be able to settle my debt. So—"

"Jung-bae." Young-il cut the man off, slowly shaking his head. "You of all people shouldn't have done it. It's not twice as righteous." He simply said, making Jung-bae lower his head in shame. "But, looking at the results, even if you had voted against, we would still have been outvoted." He let out a heavy breath.

"Right?" Jung-bae's head immediately shot up as he leaned forwards. "It's not entirely my fault."

Dae-ho shook his head as he looked up at Jung-bae. "All right. To be honest, I understand why you did it." He started, pursing his lips as he stared up at the older man. "That money isn't enough for me either, so when I went up to vote, I did think about playing one more game." He admitted, looking around at the group.

Mi-ya nodded her head in understanding. She knew people must of had it bad. She didn't have it that bad, which was fortunate.

"That you got understanding." Jung-bae bowed his head before sitting down in front of Mi-ya. "But I voted in favour partly because I feel confident." He told them. "We did well as a team, didn't we? And we have Mi-ya this time!" He pointed to the girl, who slightly raised her brow. "If we stick together one more time, I'm sure we'll be fine." He then looked towards Jun-hee, who sat in silence. "Jun-hee. I'll make sure we survive the next game—"

"The next game?" Jung-bae's words died in his throat at Gi-hun's voice. Mi-ya looked towards Gi-hun, who kept his head down. "I'm the next game, we might have to kill each other."

Mi-ya's eyes widened as she shared a look with Dae-ho. What the hell did that mean? Noticing her tense and weary expression, Dae-ho reached to squeeze her shoulder. She softly smiled as she squeezed his hand on her shoulder.

"Gi-hun, that's a bit much." Young-il shook his head. "There's nothing we can do now, so let's try to stay positive." He insisted, looking around at the five. "We should eat, pull ourselves together, and try our best again." He then reached down for his milk, holding it out for Jun-hee. "Here, Jun-hee. You can have mine too. Hang in there until the next game."

Jun-hee's eyes widened as she looked at the milk carton, then Young-il. "No, it's okay." She softly shook her head.

"Take it." Young-il insisted, nodding his head. "I don't drink plain milk."

The younger girl hesitantly took the milk from his hands, looking up at Young-il with a smile. "Thank you."

Jung-bae then offered his bread with a smile. "Have my bread too. I don't deserve to eat." He said, placing the bread down next to her.

Mi-ya finished her bread, scrunching the wrapper in her hand as she watched Dae-ho lean forwards. "Can I have your milk then?" He asked Jung-bae, pointing to the carton in the older man's hands.

Jung-bae simply turned around to look at Dae-ho with a raised brow, a face which clearly meant 'no' taking over his face.

Dae-ho leaned back with a sigh, continuing to eat his own bread. Mi-ya pursed her lips as she leaned down to pick up her own milk, turning herself to offer him the carton.

He turned at her gesture, his brows immediately raising as he went to shake his head. But, the look on Mi-ya's face held no room for argument.

So, he flashed her a wide smile, taking the milk from her hands. "Thank you." He bowed his head, placing the milk beside him.

But Mi-ya shook her head, soft smile on her lips. "It's fine, I'm not really a big fan on milk." She let out a breathy chuckle, leaning her chin in her palm.

Dae-ho nodded his head at her words, smile still on his lips as he stared at her for a moment, before looking away and finishing his bread.

Mi-ya sighed as she washed her hands in the bathroom sink, splashing some on her face with a heavy sigh.

She leaned on the sink as she stared at herself in the mirror. She look extremely tired, the bags under her eyes evident.

Mi-ya couldn't wait to go home. She couldn't go through another game, another chance for her to die.

She couldn't do it.

She glanced down at the necklace around her neck, the photograph inside being the reason she is still pulling through.

Mi-ya turned her head to the side as she saw Jun-hee stand next to her, clutching her stomach, which made Mi-ya's worries spike.

"Are you okay?" She softly uttered, reaching to gently hold onto Jun-hee's arm. "Is it..." she subtly glanced form at the girls stomach.

Jun-hee shook her head as she let go of her stomach. "No, I'm fine." She reassured, a slight smile on her lips. "Just kicking."

Mi-ya smiled at that, slowly nodding her head at the woman's words. "That's good." She said with a genuine look of relief. "If you are in any pain, you'll tell me, yes?"

Jun-hee nodded her head as she moved to wash her hands, still smiling at Mi-ya. "I will."

A grunt left Mi-ya's lips as she helped place the mattress of the floor with Gi-hun and Young-il. It was Gi-hun's plan to sleep between the beds and someone stay on watch every hour or so.

"Is this really necessary?" Jung-bae questioned as Dae-ho passed him another mattress. "I don't like sleeping under there." He said as Mi-ya and Young-il pushed a mattress under the bed.

"Once the lights go out, somebody might attack us." Gi-hun Informed his friend, crouching to Mi-ya's side and helping her.

Dae-ho's eyes widened at that. "What?" He asked as Mi-ya stood up, taking the blankets and pillows from Jun-hee.

"The prize money still goes up if we kill each other." Gi-hun informed them, making Mi-ya purse her lips as she placed the pillows and blankets down. "It's part of the game they designed."

"Gi-hun, I think you're overreacting here." Young-il voiced his opinions, making Mi-ya turn around to look over at him. "Even if that were true, people wouldn't do that."

Gi-hun immediately spun around, his eyes slightly narrowed. "In the previous games, dozen of people killed each other at night." Mi-ya swallowed thickly at that as she leaned against the bed post. "Right here. You have no idea how people can change..." Gi-hun shook his head. "In this place."

Mi-ya awkwardly glanced between Gi-hun and Young-il, her lips pursed. She had a funny feeling, for some reason, and she didn't /understand why. "All right, I guess I didn't know what I was talking about. I'm sorry." Young-il apologised, slowly nodding his head.

Gi-hun stared at Young-il for a moment before turning around to face the rest of them. "Once its lights out, we need to take turns keeping watch." He informed them, making the four nod their heads. "I'll take the first watch. You should decide the order for the rest."

And they did.

Gi-hun would take first shift, then Young-il, then Jung-bae, then Dae-ho, then Mi-ya, and they all agreed to let Jun-hee sleep.

She needed it the most.

Mi-ya had instantly fallen asleep when she got the chance. Her mattress was beside Jun-hee's, being closer to the girl incase anything happened.

Mi-ya was softly shaken awake, making her blink heavily as she rolled over onto her back, running her hands over her face as she looked up at Jun-her. "Are you okay?" Mi-ya instantly asked with a raised brow, soft look on her face.

Jun-her nodded her head, brushing her bangs out of her own face as she stared down at Mi-ya. "Yeah, would you be able to come to the bathroom with me?" She hesitantly asked as Mi-ya sat up. "Im sorry I woke you up, I knew Mr. Seong would prefer me not going alone-"

"Of course." Mi-ya didn't hesitate to nod her head, instantly getting up to her feet and smiling at Jun-hee, who softly smiled back, grateful for her help.

"Mr. Seong." Jun-her whispered towards Gi-hun, who was on watched. The man instantly turned around, looking up at the two as they stood behind him. "I need to use the bathroom."

"And I'll go with her, so she isn't alone." Mi-ya added with a soft smile, holding onto Jun-hee's arm.

Gi-hun pulled an unsure look as he stared up at them both, his lips pursed together. He didn't have time to answer when someone else spoke from above. "I'll come too."

Mi-ya looked up and her smile didn't falter as she saw Geum-ja, staring down at them with a wide smile.

"More the merrier." Mi-ya nodded her head at that, turning her attention back to Gi-hun. "We'll be fine." She added, seeing the hesitant look on his face.

Gi-hun let out a quiet sigh as he nodded his head. Mi-ya smiled, about to walk forwards until Gi-hun softly grasped her arm. "Be careful." He added, making Mi-ya nod her head.

"I will." She reassured him with a smile, letting Jun-hee pulled her forwards, letting with Geum-ja as the three walked to the door.

Jun-hee raised her knuckles to the green door, knocking on it. There was no answer, making Jun-hee knock once more.

Then, the slide on the door opened, a trianagle guard looking through the small circled window. "We need to use the bathroom." Jun-hee said, her tone quiet.

"No." Mi-ya raised her brow at that. "Entry and exit are restricted at this time." The triangle guard informed them. Since when was that a rule?

"Please." Jun-hee softly pleaded. "I'm not feeling very well." She continued to speak, Mi-ya moving closer to her.

But, the triangle guard repeated their words, making Mi-ya sigh, shaking her head. But, Geum-ja carefully pushed them back, standing in front of the door. "Look. Mr. Triangle." The older woman started. "Even though you're wearing a weird mask, you're still human, aren't you?" She asked.

Mi-ya shared a look with Jun-hee at that.

Human?

No chance.

"In the outside world, you might have a sister like them and a mom like me." Geun-ja gestured to Mi-ya and Jun-hee, then herself. "When ladies say they need to use the bathroom, it's for reasons they can't tell you." Mi-ya and Jun-hee started nodding their heads behind the older woman. "If you can't understand that, you shouldn't even call yourself human." She started to chuckle. "You really shouldn't."

Then, the triangle guard shut the slider thing.

Mi-ya's lips parted, her eyes wide as Geun-ja turned to them, just as shocked as Mi-ya. "That was rude." Mi-ya uttered, shaking her head.

Mi-ya was about to move forwards to knock again, but Geun-ja softly raised her hand, shaking her head at the girl.

The older woman turned back to the door, a heavy breath leaving her lips before she started to speak. "Listen. Ever since I entered my 60s, I've had bladder control issues. I can't go out without wearing a diaper, but I couldn't bring any of the things I need here." She started to say, and Mi-ya didn't know if it was a lie, so she sadly stared down at the older woman. "Do you really have to make me wet myself? Imagine if I was your mother, Mr. Triangle. You wouldn't do that to your mother."

Mi-ya glanced at the door, pushing her hands into her pockets as the guard didn't make  no attempt to open the door.

"I came here because of my son's debt. I should at least get to owe when I want, should I?" Geun-ja continued to try and get through to the triangle guard. "What did I do in my previous life to deserve-"

Mi-ya's eyes widened at the door opened, the guard gesturing for them to walk forwards. Mi-ya shared a look with the two before they walked forwards and through the door.

"Can I come too?"

Mi-ya immediately turned around, smile on her lips as she looked up at Hyun-ju. But, Jun-hee looked hesitant and confused.

So, Mi-ya cleared her throat, smiling at the pair. "It's okay, Jun-hee." She softly said, squeezing the girls arm. "Her name is Hyun-ju."

Jun-hee slowly nodded her head, turning to follow Geun-ja. Mi-ya turned back to Hyun-ju, who sent her a small smile. "Come on."

The four of them moved to walk through the coloured corridors, following the other triangle guard as they walked up the steps.

Mi-ya stayed close to Jun-hee, a faint hand on the girls lower back as they walked towards the bathroom.

The four walked in, the guard staying outside.

Mi-ya sent Jun-hee a smile as she moved to stand towards the sink, not needing to go. She watched as Geun-ja offered her help to Jun-hee if the younger girl ever needed it.

The three women moved into the stalls as Mi-ya turned to look at herself in the mirror. Her hair was starting to get greasy, which she didn't like.

She let out a heavy sigh as she moved to part her hair into three sections, starting to braid her hair into a plait. It would get her hair out of her face.

When she finished braiding, she took the bobble from her wrist, a spare one Dae-ho had and given her, and tied her hair.

She brushed it behind her, letting it lay against  her back. Mi-ya looked through the mirror as she heard a stall open, looking through the glass to see Hyun-ju.

Mi-ya spared her a smile, which Hyun-ju reciprocated, moving to the sink beside her and washing her hands, then moving to wash her face and bangs.

Mi-ya waited for a moment before speaking, leaning her side against the sink as she looked up at Hyun-ju. "He's Young-mi?" She softly asked, fidgeting with her necklace. "I would have come and checked up on her, but I was busy building a fort." She sighed, a slight humour in her voice.

"She's pretty shaken up." Hyun-ju answered, dropping her hands to the sink as she held onto it, her knuckles turning white from the contact. "And I can't help but feel guilty." She added, glancing at the blue patch on her jacket.

Mi-ya pursed her lips, staring at the 'O' latch on Hyun-ju's jacket. "Nobody can fault you for picking to stay. You must really need the money." She shrugged her shoulders, the soft look still on her face.

Before Hyun-ju could reply, Geun-ja tapped Mi-ya's shoulder. "Is she still in there?" She pointed towards the stall, talking about Jun-hee.

Mi-ya slowly nodded her head, turning to the stall Jun-hee was in. The pair shared a look before making their way towards the stall.

Geun-ja knocked her knuckles against the stall door. "Hello? Are you alright?" She softly spoke up.

But, there was no answer.

Mi-ya's worries started to kick in as she stepped forwards. "Jun-hee? Are you okay?" She softly called out, knocking on the door. "Is something wrong?"

No reply once more, making Mi-ya swallow thickly. And quietly warned Jun-hee before opening the door.

Jun-hee sat, quietly crying with her head lowered. Mi-ya's heart ached at that, immediately crouching down in front of the younger girl. "What's wrong?" She softly said, holding onto Jun-hee's arms.

"Are you in pain?" Geun-ja also asked from behind Mi-ya. "Is your belly hurting?" She questioned. "Oh, no. Your baby must be coming." The older woman started to stress. "Listen, tell me where and how it hurts."

Mi-ya continued to rub her arms up and down Jun-hee's arms, trying to offer the girl any sort of comfort. "I'm scared." Jun-hee surely sobbed, pulling at Mi-ya's heart strings.

Mi-ya knew she could promise the girl anything, because she didn't know what could happen. So, instead, she carefully pulled Jun-hee into a gently hug.

"It's okay." Mi-ya softly spoke, resting her chin on Jun-hee's shoulder, rubbing a hand over the girls back. "You'll be okay. Everything's going to be okay."

Geun-ja nodded her head from behind Mi-Ya, joining in on the hug. "You'll and your baby are going to be all right." The older woman added. "Don't worry."

— madeleines notes

FINALLY A NEW CHAPTER!!

Sorry for this long awaited chapter, I've been busy once again, unfortunately LMAO.

But the last chapter before it goes all chaotic!

So buckle up!

Please tell me why I wrote this chapter...whilst watching Shane Dawson.. LMAO.

I got that bored okay.

But now I'm going to watch love island RAH.

For my baddie Ekin su, my fellow Turkish woman! RAH

OH AND MY AMERICAN'S ARE BACK ON TIKTOK!! YAY IVE MISSED YOU BABIES

19th January 2025
3364 words