𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗗• 𝗦. 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗚

𝑡 𝑤 𝑜

- the game of ddakji

[Y u n  R y u n g]

My face twists. I felt the knots in my stomach tighten as it twirls into a spiral. All I could hear was the sound of my own thoughts. My eyes covered in an abyss of white as light shades cover my eyes. I hope he's actually joking. "Respectfully, back the fuck away. I'm not like that."

Unintentionally I wrap my jacket closer to my chest, squeezing the skin of my thighs closer together. "I didn't mean it like that. Have you ever played ddakji?" He clicks the side of his briefcase. Bringing it to my view. I pause for a moment. My breath hitched into my throat, as I try to gather the oxygen back again.

Three stacks of cash laid out perfectly in front of me. My mouth dropped in awe as I stared out in desire. "Miss?" He asks once more. "—yes, yes I have played ddakji before." My tone wavers for a moment.

The man takes out to blue and red tiles. Lifting it up with a brimmed grin. "Okay, play ddakji with me. Each time you win I will give you 100 000 won. However, each time I win, you must give me 100 000 won. " My eyes fall from the money back up to meet his gaze.

I shift for a moment. Weighing the possibilities. Even if it is worth it would it be worth the money I'm losing? Even if I do get 100 000 won, I could loose. And that means I owe him 100 000 my chances are slim of an instant win, I'd most likely be bankrupt by the end of the game.

Even so, I could use the money. And I could win. "Wait, so you are saying if I flip your ddakji over, you'll give me 100 000 won?"

"Which colour would you like?" He offers, skidding the tiles together.

Not even a moment later I could feel a bruise forming on my cheek. My tile in my hand slightly crinkles as I grip it tighter in the sole of my palm.

His card still doesn't move from the ground. Just as I'm about to look up to him he slaps me in the face. The light cuts along my skin structure splinters as his hand continually meets with my cheek.

And this goes on, again. And again, and again. Until the point I feel that I can no longer stand and I can't feel my face anymore.

I rub the tile in my hand. Blowing a delicate kiss before slamming it into the ground. Flipping his ddakji over with a drastic bang.

I can't help but smile. The squeal I've been holding in tears my lungs as I clap my hands excitedly. Tapping my feet against the floor as I jump cheerily.

"Congratulations Miss," he scrunches the 100 000 won into my palm. Patting the base of my hand gently. He places the tiles back into the stack, neatly folding them into the foam packet.

My thumbs swipe over the stash of cash, counting it quietly as I mumble each number. "Miss, you can make big money playing games like this for a few days. Would you like to give it a try?"

I could feel the anxiety steam into my skin. As my nerves belt into my stomach. The beam in the crook of my skull echoing, screeching for me too run. But I don't. I can't. And quite frankly I don't think I want to.

"No, no thank you." I nod sternly. Tucking the money into the front pocket of my jeans. "I'm not that desperate... yet."

His feet stamper onto the concrete. Folding his hands neatly in front of his body. His face still stoic as he looks down at my shrinking figure. "Miss Yun Ryung. You killed a man today, correct? Name, Yun Ryung. 18 years old. Highest level of education, Dulwich College Seoul. You run a illegal gambling business underneath a restaurant you were formally employed at until you were fired. That was 3 years ago. You started a daily visa, killed two men who had missed their visas. Ending lives of both who didn't pay the amounts of debts they owe. Has a ten-year-old sister Myung with two deceased parents of six years. As of now you owe 90 million won to the kids shelter. And 235 million won to the bank."

I felt the knot in my throat tug, as it bobs between the thin line of skin. The Swiss Army knife in my pocket sliced through the fabric as I place it against his throat. The man's eyes widen for a moment. Placing two delicate hands up into the air in defence. "Who the fuck are you?" The blade presses further into his palpable skin, small droplets of blood drip from the tissue of his neck. Pulling at the texture of the slightly wrinkled lines.

The slicked-haired man holds up a card. A light wash of brown colours the cardboard as he places it into my palm. The shapes engraved at the front fade underneath the harsh street lights. "We don't have many spots left. Give me a call." He nods his head subtly. Hurriedly slinging his briefcase onto his forearm.

Before I could even muster out the words. He's gone. As if he had evaporated through the air. And dissolved through its particles. "What the actual fuck?" My words vibrate in my throat as I continue the night. Walking towards the average sized apartment. The peeled paint flakes from the browning walls. Stains cover the carpet with coffee stenches that somehow still linger throughout the halls.

"Remember your bills should be turned in by next week. Or else I'm throwing all your shit off the balcony." The owner walks down the nearly broken down staircase. The railings creek, as she presses all her weight into the rustic bar. It tilts towards the middle of the entrance, making her stance in an upwardly position. "Yep." I quip before sliding through the tiny gap of the door.

A small sigh releases through the bitter sweet taste of my tongue. As my breaths slur through the gaps of my teeth.

The vibration of my phone buzzes the pocket of my jeans. "Hello?"

"Finally, hello? Ryung, you have to pay your sisters visa bills. It's been six months now and I'm getting impatient. You have only sent me a quarter of the bill." The tone in her voice low. "Yes I will. Soon. I promise."

The phone beeps in its monotone buzz. Shutting itself down, placing upside downs against my side table.

Just as I get back from a long day everything seems to have it out for me? Is karma really getting her things started again?

Perhaps, a few games wouldn't hurt?

A/N:

Just so y'all know you're gonna get spammed with updates ;-;