When All That's Left Is Us

Ji-Yeong

Freedom was the first thought that came to Ji-yeong's mind as she finally stepped out of the prison as a free woman. The second thought however was much more depressing. Now what? She had no home, no family, no friends, no money, nothing. She heaved a deep sigh and walked away from the imposing building, not knowing how she was going to get by. The first thing she would have to do was find warmer clothes. She could already feel herself shivering from the cold.

"Excuse me, could I have a word with you?" A male voice asked from behind her, causing her to jump in fright.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you not to sneak up on people right out of prison?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at the well-dressed man. A creditor, she mused. Her father must have owed some kind of debt and this clown was here to collect.

"I apologize Miss." He replied politely. "I noticed you looked deep in thought, and after seeing you walk out of the prison I thought maybe I could be of some assistance." She studied his facial expression, trying to see if he was lying but he either had a very good poker face or he was a robot.

"You expect me to believe you just so happen to be standing outside a prison, dressed like that, offering to help someone who has been locked up for years?" As if finally realizing how suspicious that sounded his eyes widened.

"Please." He asked quietly, putting his briefcase down on a bench beside him and opening it. The mounds of cash certainly caught her eye. "If you play and win a game of Ddakji with me I will give you One hundred thousand won." He took out the blue and red piece and held them both up, offering her to take one. She grabbed the red one and studied it before looking back at the strange man.

"What's the catch? You know it can't be a fair bet. If you win, I don't have any money to give you. Will I have to sell you my soul or something?" He actually chuckled at that. Maybe he wasn't a robot after all.

"A slap." He said to her simply, as if it were the obvious answer.

"A what?" She asked, clearly hearing him wrong.

"If I win, I get to slap you across the face." She made a 'what the fuck' face at him.

"Now I'm starting to think you're just some weirdo who gets his jollies off when he slaps woman." Before he could reply she let out a long sigh. "Fine. Not like I have anything better to do."

To his immense dismay she had his flipped over on the first turn. He looked up shocked and she just smirked at him.

"What did you expect? We played that just about every day in there." She said, pointing at the building behind them. "It's not like there was much else to do." He tried to school his features again and handed over her cash.

"Before you go..." He handed her a business card with a phone number on the back. "There are more games you can play if you wish to win more money. You would be competing against others but if you won, you wouldn't ever want for anything again. All you have to do is call the number on the card to sign up." She looked down at the number. "We hope to see you soon Miss. Jiyeong."

"How the hell do you know my name?" She demanded, but when she looked back up the man had disappeared. Almost as though he had only been a figment of her imagination. If she didn't have the card in her hand to reassure her, she surly would have thought she was losing her mind.

She went to the first convenience store she could find and asked if she could borrow a phone. The young man behind the checkout counter quickly agreed to her request and handed her the phone, asking the number she wanted him to dial. Moments later it was ringing. She was beginning to think nobody was there when it finally stopped.

"Hello?" The familiar voice from earlier answered...

"Um, hi. You just gave me this card with your number to call." She wasn't really sure how else to explain herself.

"Do you wish to participate in the games?" The voice asked her.

"Yes." She replied. She didn't have anything else she could do. She had no home to go to. She would just be on the streets.

"Then please state your name and your birthdate." The voice requested in a slightly monotonous tone.

"Ji-yeong, May 5th, 1998" She was worried that she wouldn't be allowed to enter without providing a last name but as far as she was concerned she didn't even have one. Not after everything that had happened.

"A van will pick you up from the south end of Baekgil-gil at midnight. The password is Red light, Green light." Before she was able to question anything the phone went dead. She handed it back to the worker.

"Where is Baekgil-gil?" She asked him. He looked at her strangely.

"You're on it." He replied.

"Right, I knew that." She muttered as she turned and left quickly. She headed to the south end of the street and waited. Even though it was only the middle of the day she figured she may as well. She wanted to make sure she made it after all. She was always taught that being late was a sin. Then again according to her father, anything she did was a sin. Every morning she woke up was a sin. Her nose ring? A sin. She scowled to herself as she sat down on a nearby bench. She stopped caring about any of that a long time ago. The thought of prayers or sin made her blood boil. It reminded her of a monster. A monster who ruined her life.

Now was a chance for change though. Starting with the games.