Apex Legends: The Pilots

Disbelief

I stumbled backwards into my bed. The Apex Games, how? Who left this in my room? Why is there a katana on my desk? Slumping down on the floor, I took a few deep breaths, trying to collect myself. I have often dreamt about it, but never have I mentioned it out loud. My mother would be beyond herself. The games, you could earn fame, glory, and money. But, you lose, you lose your life. Whoever sent this to me either wanted me to earn fame, or meet death.

Once I had taken a few breaths, I picked the katana up off my desk. It's a bit heavy. I'd guess it weighs anywhere from 5 to 6 pounds with the case. Pulling it out of it's sheath, the sword itself is about 3 pounds. I passed it from hand to hand. It was a good sturdy sword, and the handle felt comfortable in my hand.

Putting the sword away, I turned my attention to the card. Red, with a white border. Plain black letters. It looks official enough. Someone sent me a real Apex Games invitation. Turning it around, I looked for clues on who sent it to me. No luck. I couldn't think of anyone who would've sent it to me. No one from town. I was the village oddball, more interested in daydreaming, the woods and my dog, than people. And if anyone else got the card, they would've kept it.

While I was pondering, I heard footsteps. My mom! I quickly shoved the card in my desk drawer. I scooped up the sword and shoved it in my closet behind my dad's old jacket. Just in time too. I had barely closed the closet when my mom knocked.

"Jin-Hyo, what are you doing in there? You're clunking around, and I'm about to go to bed."

I opened the door. "Nothing Omma, just moving some stuff that was in the way."

"Well, I'm going to bed, so save your 'clunking' for tomorrow, ok?"

"Ok. Goodnight."

Once she left, I made sure she had closed her bedroom door before closing mine. I took the card out of my desk again. Yes, it was still there. Still real, not my imagination. I had to decide. Do I join these murderous games or not? All my life, I had been made fun of. The poor kid, the dog lover, the boy with no dad. To be respected would be amazing, but to die, that's another thing.

Then it dawned on me. Did I want to fight for glory in a game, or die being mocked and hated? I choose the former. I pulled out my dad's old dark brown coat, that reached the knees. I carefully wrapped the katana in the coat. I securely hid the card in a pocket inside the shirt I was currently wearing.

I tiptoed down the stairs, making sure to avoid the ones that creaked. Once outside, I pulled on my boots. Min came barreling at me, but I quickly bent down to shush him. I started to rush away, but Min kept following me. He had been my loyal companion for years. I couldn't just leave him. I motioned for him to follow me, which he did. 

Holding my coat securely, Min and I sprinted down the path towards town. The Apex Games happen every 2 weeks, and the new volunteers or drafters, are always brought in secretly through the night. It's supposed to be a big surprise when you see who's fighting. But, I'd done enough snooping to know where the loading docks were.

Cutting through the backstreets, I made it down to the loading docks, which were badly hidden. I slowed my pace to a walk and when I approached the docks, I was stopped.

"Hey, what's a feller like you doing here? We're loadin. Wait, Jin-Hyo, that you?"

In the dim light, I saw who the voice belonged to. Bartholomew Bodt. An old man and old friend of my parents. Around 70 years old, he's got a deep voice and bushy white beard.

"Yes, Mr. Bodt. It's me."

"What're you doing here? Ya mom's gonna have a right tantrum when she finds out you out here. What you doing here anyways? You don't, oh no. Tell me ya didn't."

 I hold up the card. "If this is what you mean, then yes."

Mr. Bodt slapped his forehead with his hand. "I shoulda guessed it. Young feller like you. Shoulda known you'd have gone up an' joined them games. Judging by that face, you didn't tell yer mum now didja?"

I shook my head. "No, I knew she'd have a fit or something. I didn't say anything."

"Well, I guess she'll know soon enough. C'mon. We gotta get this stuff here on board the air ship. Then we can leave."

I slung my coat, katana and all, over Min's back. I walked over with Bodt, and helped him move the last few crates onboard. Once the boxes were on, I help him close the hatch. Then I followed him to the main area, where there were a few other men that I recognized. They were all friends, that help my mom out when my father died.

Seeing me, one was about to say something when Bodt said, "Y'know why he's here. No use asking."

He's got a point. The only time there's ever someone else on a cargo ship, is cause they're headed to death. But right now, I'm headed towards change.