𝑳𝑶𝑺𝑻, 𝒔𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒅 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆

Chapter 9

"Let the game begin." The automated voice said.

Everyone chose a spot where they could peacefully cut out their shape. You were taking your time with this challenge as you had the easiest shape. It would be foolish to rush through with the potential of messing up and breaking a piece of the shape.

The sun beamed down onto all of the players adding to everyone's stress levels. You sit criss cross Applesauce with your container of sugar comb on your right knee. You were certain that your Mother would have scolded you on how terrible your posture was, leaning down to have precision when cutting your shape out.

You were scratching away at your sugar comb, causing little particles to spring out, as you worked towards cutting your triangle out. You had done the strategy of using your needle to scrap away the thin outline of the triangle.

Your eyebrows were furrowing, with how much concentration you were putting into this.

"Wait... Give me one... Please. Just one more-" You heard, before all the sudden a gun shot rang through the air, startling you, and making your skin crawl. The man who's body was shot slowly slid down the slide. Leaving behind a trail of blood.

However, this shock caused a lot of people to mess up, and accidentally break their sugar combs. Suddenly multiple gunshots were fired at the people who messed up their own sugar combs.

Everyone then understood how serious this was. You turn back to your own shape. You only had about one and a half sides left to cut out. You were confident that you could do this. However, the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach still remained.

Every now and then another shot would be fired signifying that another player had been eliminated. Half the time had passed by the time the first player finished. Both you and Ji-Yeong had very little of your shape left, as you continued to scrap you sugar comb.

When you finished your sugar comb, you looked over at Ji-Yeong to see that she finished too. You both then got up from where you were sitting, to walk to the closest guard.

After showing them your cut out shape the automated voice spoke again. "Player 009 and player 240 pass."

Both of you smile to each other and walk back to the main quarters passing through the pastel stairs.

When you arrived back to the main living quarters about less than 15 people were already there. It felt weird to be in the room with so few people here. You wondered how many people would come back. After all a majority of the people chose their shape by random. So that meant this game was all about luck.

Slowly people began to file into the room after completing the challenges. You even recognized a few of their faces now. About a minute or two had passed until one of the more recognizable faces, 212 showed up, walking in high and mighty as if the rest of us hadn't just completed the same challenge.

You knew the ten minutes was up so you weren't expecting an y other players to show up. Until, a huge group came walking in. They must've all finished in the nick of time. You were astonished and relieved that your predictions had been proven wrong, and more people were able to survive.

Later in the day the guards came out with carts that held our rations. You and
Ji-Yeong hopped in line quietly waiting. Even though you hadn't been here long the days were becoming routinely and boring. You two slowly shuffle closer to the food as more people get their rations.  You finally made it to the front of the line to only be handed a soda and a hard boiled egg.

"This is it?" You ask the guard. However, like any other time you try speaking to them you are met with no reply. So instead you just take the food and hop out of line.

You walk over to where you and Ji-Yeong usually eat, and wait for her to meet you their.

"Can you believe the cheapskates?"
Ji-Yeong says holding up her food with wide eyes. "They're offering us 456billion won but can't buy us some decent food, assholes."

"I would even be okay with our prize money being smaller if it meant we got decent food." You add.

You and Ji-Yeong dig into your food savoring every last bite.

Suddenly five people were left in line however, there was no food ration for them.

One woman then pointed to the  'toughest group saying that they took twice the amount of food. The group she pointed to didn't surprise you. Right from the beginning they've been tormenting the smaller fish in this tank. At one point 212 was harassing you, so it was no surprise to yourself that they would do this.

"Who do you think you are?" One of the men left without food asks them as he walks over to their group. "Why did you steal others food?"

"Right, is this yours?" The man with the snake tattoo asks mockingly, showcasing his drink. "What's your name? Is your name written on this? I don't see it."

The man who's food number 101 stole quickly jumped to grab his drink that was stolen. "Give it back. It's mine. Give it back to me!" Suddenly in the midst of the struggle the bottle drops and shatters against the ground.

"You asshole." 101 seethes. He quickly grabs 271 by the collar and walks angrily at him, and 271 continues to back away afraid. "It broke because of you, asshole!" He says before delivering a right hook to, 271s face.

Everyone is in shock at the outbreak. Loud gasps fill the room, and people struggle with what they're supposed to do.

"How come a scrawny guy like you is so greedy for food? You bastard! 101 yells before kicking 271 causing him to roll and groan in pain.

"Hey I'm trying to say we should share!" 101 yells trying to act like some savior. He continues to kick the man lying on the ground.

Your mouth falls agape at the scene before you. Some look away, and others cower in fear. No one here was expecting to fight one another in our own quarters.

"Is that so hard, jerk!" 101 says still kicking the man as hard as he can. "You bastard!"

101 walks away feeling as if he's done enough. He's out of breath inhaling and exhaling deeply, after being worn out from beating the man.

Suddenly number 218 makes his way over to 271 checking to see if he's alright. When he get no response he checks the man's pulse before looking at the crowd of people. "He's dead." He says as number 101 just causally takes a sip from his drink.