Sempiternal || Saeyeong

༄𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟༄

 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑜

  "What game are we playing?" My mouth formed the words, yet they didn't quite reach the static which was my brain. Had the game really come down to this? Instinctively partnering with your friends then murdering them.

  Suddenly I wasn't mad at my shadow anymore. I would not have to compete against the girl I'm closest to here. Was competing against Ali any better? I would have to try anyways, and guilt sounds better than death in all worlds.

  "I don't know how to play. Sae-Byeok I can't let one of us die." Ali's eyes filled up with fresh tears, it stirred up an unwanted anger inside of me.

  "Then do you want us both to die?"

  His eyes met the floor. Silence stretched on for longer than it should have with me to blame. "Before we play, can I get to know more about you?" He asked. 

  "Why would you do that?"

  "One of us will die anyway. Why not learn more about each other?" His point was crystal clear, so where was my hesitation coming from? It was probably me, why would I willingly talk to someone about my issues. I'm sure his are worse than mine.

  "How can I trust you?" I blurt out skeptically.

  "Does it matter?"

  I sighed and sat down on the concrete. He was right, only one person could walk out of here alive. It might not even be one of us.

  "What do you want to know?" I asked, staring at the ground almost like I was bored. 

  "Well first, why are you here?" He asked, but wasn't it obvious? I am poor, I am in debt, and I needed an alternative solution. 

  "For the money." The cold-hearted truth was easier to speak on your death bed. 

  "Money for what?" 

  "For my brother..." I mumbled, hoping not even the universe could hear me. I felt cautious talking about him, as if somebody would take him from me. A new family, a kidnapper, a god if there even is one.

  "Your brother?" Ali asked softly, he understood me. Of course he did, out of all people, he would. "And my mom." I added. "My mom got caught at the Chinese border, and my dad got shot. Me and my brother only made it." Ali sat still and quiet, taking everything in.

  "I went into debt trying to get my mom across the border." All the hatred towards myself came back, it was too much to handle. One person knew my secrets now, they were secrets for a reason so why did I tell him? Cheol could be in danger if a crook figures out where he is.

  "Ali?" I called, picking my head up to look at him. His eyes found mine in the most innocent way possible. "Are you going to tell anyone?"

  "Of course not, Sae-Byeok." He responds, putting my fears a little more at ease. But I still couldn't breathe properly, my heart rate increased. I was going to have a panic attack. He could sense this, so he started talking. I listened, grasping onto his words like they were my lifeline.

  "I have a baby and a wife. But I don't have money to care for them. So, I went into debt because my job wouldn't give me money. And I'm so scared to die, and just leave them." The pain in his voice cut like a chainsaw, but I couldn't feel bad now.

  "Ali I'm sorry. I have to win too." I said with just a hint of emotion in my voice, I have never wanted to cry so much. But I would not, not in front of a stranger. Ali nodded his head, letting a sole tear slip. 

Words:628

(Edited) (Re-edited)