You're sitting on your bed in the Squid Game dormitory, your head leaning against the cold, hard wall. The metal frame digs uncomfortably into your back, but that's the least of your concerns. The searing pain in your stomach feels like it's being torn open with each breath. You look down at the large glass shard protruding from your abdomen, blood soaking through your white uniform and dripping onto the concrete floor below. The metallic smell of blood fills your nostrils as your vision starts to blur at the edges.

You can hear the distant murmur of the other players in the dining area, but right now the world has narrowed to the throbbing pain in your stomach and the sound of your own ragged breathing. Your hands feel cold and clammy, and when you press one gently against the wound, you can feel the glass shard shift slightly, sending another wave of agony through your body.

Tears sting your eyes as you think of your mother trapped in North Korea and your little brother alone in the orphanage. You can't die here. Not when you've come so far. Not when you promised you'd save them. The room seems to tilt suddenly, and you clutch the edge of the bed to steady yourself. Your ears ring loudly, drowning out all other sounds.

The sound of approaching footsteps makes you lift your head weakly. Sae-byeok appears at the entrance to the sleeping area, her face impassive as always, but you can see the flicker of concern in her eyes as they land on you. She crosses the room quickly, her boots clicking against the concrete floor.