ISOLATED • squid game

[ NINE ]

( season 1, episode 4 : stick to the team )

Jiwon hadn't even realised she'd fallen asleep. She remembered having a blanket laid over her shoulders, and she looked up to see her sister refusing to make eye contact with her.

She didn't feel as bitter towards her sister as she did before. Maybe it's because they were in a life or death situation, she didn't know. All she knew was that she was sick and tired of fighting with her.

The dreaded classical music filled her ears as she woke up, and she rubbed her eyes as her little group began to shift also.

" Hey, old man," She glanced over at Gihun's voice, and saw him speaking to the old man, who looked like he hadn't slept.

" Did you stay up all night?" Jiwon wrapped the blanket tighter around her shoulders as she willed herself not to fall back asleep.

" I thought they would attack again or something." Jiwon sighed as a different style of classical music bled through the speakers.

" Attention, players. The third game will begin momentarily. Please follow the staffs instructions and swiftly make your way towards the game hall." Four guards strolled in and stood at the front of the room, guns at the ready.

Jiwon stretched as she stood, frankly not ready for whatever they were about to throw at them. The stupid pink hallways made her dizzy, but it wasn't much better when they arrived at the game hall.

The entire room was white, and it dropped an uneasy feeling into her stomach.

" Players, welcome to the third game. For this game, you will be playing in teams. All players, please divide yourselves into teams of ten people. Your time limit will be ten minutes. Ten minutes." The PA lady announced the instructions as they slowly walked down the white staircase and into the communal area.

The timer started to tick as Jiwon followed her 'team' , leaning up against a wall when they stopped.

" Something that has teams of ten players," Gihun started, turning away from the timer.

" So maybe it's 'tail tag' or 'why did you come to my house'?" Sangwoo's expression was worried, and Jiwon watched him fidget nervously, her brows knitted together.

" Tail tag means running is involved. Or it might just end up being simply based on luck. What do you think?" Gihun questioned Sangwoo, practically sweating.

Sangwoo sighed, seeming to contemplate his words before speaking. 

" Our team already has two girls and an older guy. I'm thinking we better get more men first." Jiwon scoffed. So much for him being a nice guy.

" Well, what if they make us play gonggi or elastics? Then, what do we do? Girls are usually better at those." Jiwon raised her eyebrows, looking away. She had no idea what those games were.

" That's true, but when it really comes down to it, usually men are better." Sangwoo argued, and Jiwon sighed at his ignorance.

" Didn't realise we were such an inconvenience for you, Sangwoo." Jiwon snorted, playing with the rings on her fingers.

" Four more people are needed. I say that four of us each bring one guy to join us." Jiwon sped off, as did her sister, frankly not wanting to be around that toxic masculinity anymore.