𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗗• 𝗦. 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗚

𝑠 𝑖 𝑥

- the game of green light, red light

[N a r r a t o r]

YUN RYUNG had only killed two people before. It may be hard to believe given her history and her past. And the cold demeanour she has a need to pull over her head. Ryung never kills unless the person truely deserves it. Deserves the suffering the pain. Every last cut and bruise she sears and embroiders into their skin.

That man she had burned, his name was Rei Yeong. He had abused and assaulted his sixteen year old daughter and raped his own wife when intoxicated. And how does she know this. Because during that time, Ryung tutored his daughter. And every now and then she'd she her bruises, she'd see her limp and sob.

Her shirt always ended up wet from the crying sessions she'd go through with her. She'd stay an extra hour just to ensure her safety, just to let her out from the hole she's being suffocated in.

He deserves what had came to him. He deserves every last second and minute of it. Because not only is he a coward he is an assaulter, an abuser and rapist.

Ryung couldn't sleep at night knowing that a sweet innocent girl was being hurt and tortured in her own home. Not being able to feel safe and the comfort a household should be providing.

She had tried to convince Rei's daughter Hyemi to let her call the police or call anyone to help her and her mum. Yet each time the girl somehow managed to wiggle her way through and prevent her from doing so.

Ryung felt a constant tug on her chest as she watched people tumble and die in front of her. She felt useless as she couldn't do a thing without her being laid out there too.

Her breathing unsteady as it heaved between the particles of her skin. Breaking her lungs as the anxiety took over her whole body.

Sae-Byeok was clearly aware of the situation. Her brain a consistent reminder of that day in her town, where she had to watch her Grandma and Grandpa and even her own brother burn to their ashes as she stood helpless. Sobbing in her own arms as she screamed for their names as if they'd come back.

That was a time when she thought showing emotions was okay. And showing weakness was okay. She told herself throughout the years that emotion is a form of weakness. A sign of vulnerability, a clear target as prey. And a easy mark to cut off.

So from that day on the girl was emotionless. Living oblivious to the heartbeats that ceased to fill her chest. Or the cold that ran down her veins that remained to discolour the pale pigments of her face.

She had let go of Ryung ages ago. Well Ryung wiggled out of her grip to afraid that if she where to fall she'd be bringing her down with her.

Ryung felt her throat tear and scream, threatening death, dangling her to the ledge taunting her of her idiocy. The anxiety in the depths of her stomach curled its fingers into her flesh. Digging it's way through her system. Arching it's nails further into her thickly laid skin.

She felt scared. And for the first time she was willing to show it. "Are you okay?" She barely mutters to Sae-Byeok. "Yes." The two have a muffled chat, trying their best to figure out the best ways go about this.

"I'm going to do something that most likely will risk my life. But you are just going to have to trust me on this."

Ryung stepped up closer to the stilled man in front on her. Her hands shaking to an uncontrollable rate, and the sweat that pooled to her hairline spreader further. Her figure now completely hidden from the cursed eyes of the doll.

Keeping her safe from its gaze. "See? You have to hide behind someone to be able to walk and talk freely without being caught." She explains with a hushed voice.

Sae-Byeok doesn't, and never trusts anyone. But there was this aroma about Ryung that drew her in. Clinging her too the shorter girl as if she was every meaning of her living. And at the moment it sure felt like it.

She liked Ryung because she knows she can protect herself. And that she's confident and sweet, and just as kind hearted. She was a great companion and friend to have a round. And she hoped Ryung shared the same feeling.

"Shit, hurry. Dumbasses are slamming the gates." Ryung muttered nodding her head towards their direction of piled bodies. As if Sae-Byeok would actually be able to look back and see them without getting shot to death.

"Let me repeat. You can move forward while the targger shouts, "Green light, Red light." If your movement is detected afterward you will be eliminated."

The smell of blood lingered in the air. Their deceased bodies scattered the dirt, decorating it in scarlet red. As their blood painted it like a canvas to art.

"Green light, red light."

Player 001 who had sped to the front kept his pace quick. His smile had never dared to weaken underneath the surreal eyes of his peers. His movements swift as he pasts Ryung and Sae-byeok. The two stood close. Sae-byeok's back compressed against Ayung's chest. Their breaths in unison as their actions slowed. Their figures always concealed by anothers.

Weaving their way between strangers.

The dolls taunting voice had gotten faster, her voice lingers for only mere moments, her eyes scanning over the halls. The quivering faces and broken expressions clear on their faces.

"You stay here, I'm going to go over there." Ryung indicates towards the end of the field where a man stood, his legs slightly shake and his hands tremble by his side.

"No, he'll be dead before you even get there." Sae-byeok nods her head towards 101. His head flinches at the gunshots. His breaths leaving heavier, as his chest harshly rises and falls.

"Who is it? Behind me all along?" The duo looks at each other, their smirks painting the thick line on their face. The tight grin held on Ryung's face creases the cheeks of her skin. Regardless of her smile she still felt it. This internal feeling seemed to be burning her withe ever flaw, and that one memory. That one memory that refused to stop replaying her mind.

"The one who stabbed you in the back." Sae-byeok replies in a low voice. Her hand retreated from Ryungs as she wearily reaches over to 101. "And the one who beat your ass." Ryung giggled, reaching for his wrist tugging as the hem of his jacket.

"You bitches." uttered, his hoarse voice managed to just reach their ears. The laughs in her stomach ached her bones, refusing to let them slip between her bittered mouth. "Want another stab in the back? Right now?"

"Just one more punch in the gut? You pathetic asshole." They tease. Wincing mockingly at the man who just sneers in response. "No don't. Please" 101 pleads childishly. The sweat on his forehead falls down to his shirt, wetting the collar, his jumper rolled to his wrists as his veins tighten under the skin. "What scared?" Ryung pouts her lip mocking 101, her palm latches onto his jacket, tugging at it, she could feel every movement underneath her singular motion of her hand. The way he flinched and the way he shook underneath her touch. This, this is power. Sae-byeok certainly could feel it too, as her fingers laced within the crown of his head. Pulling at the greased strands.

"Stop trembling, dumbass. You'll die if you get caught." A second before the doll had turned her head the girls pulled him down. His back gliding against the dirt.

"Green light, Red light."

Each bone in their bodies felt like they would break within seconds. The soles of their feet frail. Yet that wasn't enough stop them, nothing could. When your life is on the brink of extinction its expected. You'd fight for everything and would be willing to loose everything. Just to have everything. Because this is a game, not a game regarding wealth or money but how much they'd risk, what they'd do to adapt. And the slow and leisurely transtion into madness, as it waits at the brink of insanity.

Ryung pulled Sae-byeok over her. Making sure the girl had gotten over the line before herself.

Sae-byeok propped herself onto her elbows. Watching Ryung as if she was crazy. "You shouldn't worry about me. I can look after myself." Sae-byeok remarked with a subtle frown.

"So? I know you can, but whats a little help?" Ryung shrugs simply. As if she wasn't just about to die a few seconds ago.

"You're an idiot, you know that. Right?"