Squid Game: America (Eternal)

One Final Move

Every other pair of players scored tries in their games while the rest had given up. They all heard the conversation. Everyone is hopeless. Taking all accountability for their actions is the only choice. The enforcers stuck with the rules. The players agreed to play all games or be eliminated. This means they will all die in the room unless one plays fair. Everyone started to panic as the enforcers stood in a horizontal line in the front. But 316 and 238 went to the very act of all the players before the enforcers could do anything. 062 goes with them to wonder what they are going to do.

316: Everyone, give me your cards. Trust me. (Gets handed every deck of cards and divides them into three stacks) What if we play this final game? We toss the deck in the air. If we get the most cards on their sign, we all win. This game is on behalf of the whole team.

The enforcers agree and step back. 238 tosses her cards and lets them fall on the ground. 062 does the same. 316 holds out his cards, then holds still for a second. Finally, he takes a deep breath, turns his deck to the opposite side, and places it on the ground.

238: What are you doing?!

316: I lost. All of you won.

238: John, no! (Backs him up into the wall) You can't do this!

316: I just did. Now you have to go.

238: Stop it, John! Take another throw; we're not doing this again!

316: Anastasha! I have nothing left. Your debt is all mine now.

238: What are you talking about?! We have to do this fair. None of us deserve to get out anyway!

316: You're right; we don't. But I am letting you guys get what was given to me: A second chance. I told you no one here is innocent. That is why I'm doing this. The greater news is that if it's worth giving the chance to live a new life of new hope that is everlasting, that is what matters. This is the true love that is worth more than gold.

238: (starts to cry and hugs him tight)

316: (Hugs her back) Hey, hey. Listen, it's going to be ok. You can do this. I'll be watching over you. Never forget that. (slips something into her pocket)

316 is taken up to a giant dirt hill in the room that leads to the lights. All the players at the bottom have their backs turned as an enforcer right next to him takes out his gun.

ENFORCER: Why do I need to do this, John?

316: It's ok. It's only for the greater good.

ENFORCER: Any- any last words?

316: Thanks for everything. (Looks ahead and starts to cry) Guys! Love is never lost. You can't control what happens next. But, no matter what happens, don't be afraid. Just have faith, and let it guide your path. This is the start of a new way for you if you choose to do so. It's everlasting, and death has no grip on it. And thank you so much for playing with me. (Chuckles and smiles)

(GUNSHOT)
PLAYER 316, ELIMINATED.

The players turn around to see John's lifeless body at the top of the hill. Many started crying, including Anastasha, Gale, and the rest of the team, knowing that what happened to John should have happened to them. The enforcers stand still for a second in silence before opening the next door. Anastasha is bawling her eyes out, knowing that she lost another person who impacted her life the past couple of days. Gale couldn't hold his emotions in any longer. John showed him that suppressing compassion and positivity didn't make him invincible. It only tore him apart even more. Everyone else promised themselves to remember that this young man lived in a way they didn't live and died the death they all should have died, just like their Savior. John's actions have proven the true love they should have received. The conversations that went forward consisted of wanting to show that kind of love to other people. Anastasha felt something in her pocket in the bathroom as she kept mourning. She reached her hand inside and felt something hard and small. It was a necklace with a tag that had writing on it. It read, "John 3:16". Looking up in the mirror, she sees John's reflection.

John: I did this for all of you. Believe.

Anastasha stared at the reflection for a few seconds and slowly smiled. This time, for the first time in a long time, she was ready for change.