If Hyun-ju was being honest, she was surprised she had made it this far. She was ex-military, sure. But almost everyone in these games were money hungry. They'd do anything for it.

She remembered when the 'O' team attacked during lights out. Gi-hun had warned her and both of their little teams, so she had been ready. She hid behind a bed with Gyeong-seok, waiting for the fighting to stop, the metallic smell of blood already beginning to fill the air.

When they revolted against the guards, and she had to teacher everyone how to use guns, she felt like an officer again. The cold weight of the weapons in inexperienced hands, the tremble of fear in their voices despite their brave faces. She even felt a flicker of hope, like they could actually do this. Even if Dae-ho froze up with the ammo. She felt hope.

But the Frontman shot everything down. The authoritative voice over the loudspeakers, the sudden flood of guards in black masks, the way hope drained from the room like water from a broken cup. Everyone was herded back into the Dormitory. Gi-hun was chained to a bed for attacking the guards after they arrived the second time. Hyun-ju stayed close to Geum-ja, Yeong-sik and the pregnant woman. The older woman was especially worried about her. She was due any day now, if Geum-ja knew right.

When the square guard arrived the next day, Hyun-ju assumed, there were no windows to tell time, gathered everyone and led them to the next game. It seemed simple. One team was Blue, and they were Hiders. They had to escape. The other team, Red, were the Seekers. They had to find the Blue team.

Then came the catch. Each Red player had to kill at least one Blue player to pass, and were given knives to do the job. The cold steel glinting in the harsh lights as they were distributed. The Blue team just had to escape, and were given keys that felt flimsy in their trembling hands. They could unlock doors, but they couldn't lock them back.

When the Blue team got a head start, Hyun-ju stayed with Geum-ja and the pregnant woman. Her military training kept her senses sharp - the sound of distant screams, the heavy footsteps of pursuers, the rapid breathing of those around her. She had been fighting off Red players to keep them safe, when she realized they weren't around her. The sudden silence where their breathing should be. She searched frantically, heart pounding, only to find the both of them in a small room. Geum-ja was holding a small newborn, its tiny face red and皱巴巴的, making soft mewling sounds. The new mother was against a wall, her ankle twisted at an unnatural angle, and visibly exhausted, sweat soaking through her numbered tracksuit.

With the help of Yeong-sik and Gi-hun, they all helped the injured woman and Geum-ja to the exit. The guards didn't say anything about the baby. The soft blanket wrapped around it, the way it nestled against Geum-ja's chest. Geum-ja supposed that as long as they kept it quiet, they could keep it. 'Maybe they aren't that cruel', she had said, though her voice lacked conviction.

But when the next game came, it was harder. Jump Rope. But it was on a bridge, who knows how high up, the wind whistling eerily around them, with two giant mechanical dolls swinging a massive metal rope that glinted dangerously in the overhead lights. They had thirty minutes to cross. Gi-hun took the baby, using his jacket to make a sling for it and started his journey across, his movements careful and deliberate.

But the new mother's ankle was broken. She wouldn't be able to jump. The swelling was visible even through her tracksuit, the skin discolored and tender. But Hyun-ju already had an idea. With Yeong-sik's help, she helped the injured woman onto her back, carrying her in a piggy back style, the woman's arms wrapping tightly around her neck. Once she had a stable grip, Hyun-ju began to cross, the wooden planks creaking beneath their combined weight.