457 ✷ Squid Game

𝟎𝟒. the unexpected rescuer

the unexpected rescuer

✷

Only 201 participants remained after the first game. The atmosphere in the hall was thick with tension as the guards entered. Everyone was murmuring, asking questions, trying to make sense of the chaos that had just unfolded. The demonstrators were demanding that the game be stopped, but the guards, stoic as always, reminded them that it was stipulated in the contract.

"I don't know what you're all complaining about," Number 218 said loudly, "If we're going to end the game, we should have a vote. It's only fair."

The guards, who may have been masked monsters, seemed oddly democratic in this moment. The voting began with the question: Should the game continue? Some voted green, wanting more money, while others chose red, wanting the madness to stop. I, however, didn't care much for the money, not when my life was on the line. I chose red, knowing I couldn't handle another round of this twisted circus.

The vote was nearly a tie, but then Number 001, the oldest participant, stood up and cast his vote for red. Everyone gasped. The majority had spoken, and just like that, the cruel game was halted—at least for now. The guards made it clear that if the majority voted to continue, they would resume the games. The room was filled with murmurs, some of relief, others still filled with doubt.

✷

I blinked as I came to, disoriented. I was blindfolded and bound, the world a blur of strange sounds and muffled voices. When I heard a faint rustling beside me, I froze. Then I felt someone working quickly, cutting away the ropes that bound me.

"Who's there?" I whispered, but my voice came out hoarse, almost unrecognizable.

A short-haired woman, with a nose piercing, looked down at me with an expression of faint amusement. She didn't answer. Instead, she worked swiftly, untying me and ripping off my blindfold in one go.

"Thanks," I muttered, feeling my heart slow down. "I'm... I'm Sunhye."

She didn't respond. Not in words, at least. She simply gave me a curt nod, tossed me my scattered clothes, and walked off without so much as a glance back.

I couldn't help but smile despite the madness around me. Some people were just built different.

With my clothes half-on, I gathered myself and made my way back to my apartment, praying I hadn't been evicted. But, of course, I was. My things were unceremoniously thrown out in front of the door, like discarded trash.

I knocked frantically, but the landlord didn't even let me finish my sentence. "You're out," she snapped, pointing at the pile of my belongings. "Take your stuff and leave."

"Please, just a little more time! I'll pay you!" I begged, but she slammed the door in my face, her voice muffled as she shouted, "No more chances!"

Defeated, I walked away, shoulders heavy, feeling the weight of it all. Homeless. Jobless. And no idea where to go next. It was like the universe had conspired to throw me into the deepest pit it could find.

In a daze, I scrolled through my phone. There were missed calls and messages from Junho. I sighed, wondering if calling him was a good idea. Would he even want to talk to me after disappearing for days?

I dialed his number.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Hello?" His voice sounded drowsy, but there was a distinct warmth to it, like he'd been waiting up for me.

"Uh, hey," I said, feeling the awkwardness settle in.

"Sunhye?" His voice sharpened with concern. "Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for days! I—" He paused, and I could practically hear the panic in his voice. "I was worried sick. Where are you right now?"

I could feel his concern through the phone, and something in me softened. Maybe I wasn't as alone as I thought.

"I'm... I'm okay. I'll explain everything, but could you come get me? I... I need help," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course I'll come get you. Where are you?" he demanded, no hesitation in his voice. "Don't move. I'll be there in a minute."

✷

The next thing I knew, I was being carried in someone's arms. My head was fuzzy, but I could feel the warmth of someone's embrace. When I opened my eyes, Junho's face came into view, illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights.

"Junho?" I whispered, barely able to process what was happening.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. "Why were you out here? You're freezing. You can't keep doing this, Sunhye."

"I didn't plan to," I muttered, my words trailing off. My brain wasn't working properly.

"Here," he said gently, taking off his coat and wrapping it around my shoulders. "You're shaking. Put this on."

"Thanks..." I mumbled, feeling the warmth of his coat seep into my cold skin.

"You got kicked out, didn't you?" His voice was soft, but the way he asked it was so perceptive, so knowing, that I couldn't lie. I nodded weakly.

"I went to your workplace. Your boss told me you were fired. I figured that might be why you're sitting here alone with your stuff. Now, let me help," he said firmly, not giving me the chance to protest. He gathered my things without even asking and began walking toward his car.

"Junho, I—" I started, but he stopped me, turning to face me.

"Sunhye," he said softly, but there was an edge of strength in his voice. "You don't have to do this alone. I'm here. You're not alone anymore."

And with that, he took my chin in his hand and tilted my face up so I was forced to meet his eyes. There was something there, something warm, a promise of safety.

"I'm here for you," he repeated, and in that moment, I believed him.

I couldn't help it. A tear slipped down my cheek, but I didn't wipe it away. It felt... comforting, somehow. I was a mess. But for the first time in days, I wasn't facing it alone.

"Thanks," I whispered, my voice breaking.

"Don't thank me," he said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I'm not going anywhere. And I'm not letting you go either."

As he loaded my things into his car, I felt a little lighter. Maybe life wasn't so bad after all. Not with Junho by my side.

I couldn't help but chuckle a little, trying to lighten the mood. "So... are you always this much of a softie, or am I just lucky?"

Junho shot me a sideways glance, his lips curling up into a grin. "I'm just getting started. You've got a lot of catching up to do, Sunhye."

And for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel so alone.

4o mini