Death Wish

Act III - Hidden Buttons, Supermarket

"What's happening!?", Ree Na said as the room began to shake. "How am I supposed to know?", Hee Chul held on to the wall as the room shook like a rattlesnake's tail.

The walls began to descend, Hee Chul went to to the center to distance himself from the wall, he thought that the wall might drop on him, "Come here!", he called out to Ree Na who was beside at the right side of the wall covering her head, unable to know her surroundings.

Hee Chul didn't bother calling out to her again, he didn't want to get his hands full. The walls have descended leaving a big gap where you can see the outside. He saw aisles at different lanes and was full of various items. Jazz Music was playing and the lights were enough to make the place bright.

"What the hell?", Hee Chul said out of confusion. The shaking was gone. Ree Na slowly removed her hands on her head and took a peek. They found themselves in a massive grocery store. Ree Na slowly stands up as she looks around. "Where are we?", she asked. "Are you blind? We are in a huge supermarket, of course", Hee Chul said sarcastically.

"Seems that were not the only ones here", Hee Chul said as they saw four wishers along

Six wishers have found themselves together in one place.

"What you lookin at boy!?", Hee Chul snarls after noticing that the boy from a different pair was staring at him. The boy immediately turned away, intimidated by Hee Chul's expression.

Ree Na looks at Hee Chul with contempt, "Why are you looking at me like that?", Hee Chul asked. Ree Na rolled her eyes, "Nothing, I thought I was looking at a savage dog", Ree Na smirks. Hee Chul was pissed off that his whole face wrinkled, "You-", Hee Chul was cut off.

'Game: Hidden Buttons', the voice fades back in and the three pairs are alert again. Getting ready on their feet as they listen to the game rules.

'The game will be played in pairs. The wisher who is in the same room as you will be your partner'

'Rule, Find the buttons hidden inside the rooms'

'There is nine buttons hidden in different areas, each pair must find and press three buttons'

'A map will be given to you', the earth trembled in low intensity and a compartment opened at the center of the store. A pillar ascended and there was three small round black balls at the top of it.

'Please obtain one round ball for each pair', Hee Chul and Ree Na looks at each other trying to tell who's going to get it. Hee Chul pushed Ree Na on her back with his left hand with force. Ree Na snarls at him, but she doesn't have a choice but to get the ball herself. She went to the center and the other representatives from the other pairs. Theu took one ball and return from their spots.

'The given ball is a map, it shows where the buttons are hidden', Ree Na keeps checking the ball wondering where the map could be.

'The map can only be activated when a two individuals held onto it'

'What?', Hee Chul uttered in confusion. "Woah!", their attention went to the other pair from the left side. They have opened a holographic map infront of them. They were holding each others hands as the ball was inside their locked arms.

Ree Na and Hee Chul look at each other with disgust, they don't want to hold each other's hand. It was an awkward moment but they knew that they had to do it or they wouldn't pass the current round. "Okay, here", Ree Na gave her hand, with her gaze in the far distance. Hee Chul gives out an air out and smirks, "Of course, we have to do it", Hee Chul holds Ree Na's hand and the holographic map pops out in front of them.The three pairs have managed to bring out their own maps with ease.

'Each buttons from the map contains specific numbers, you can only press your own buttons', Then pictures of them appeared at top of the map with the numbers on their heads and their names below. Hee Chul and Ree Na got number three on their heads.

'Each team must pressed their specified buttons, the last button remaining must be pushed together with your pair'

'Pushing other buttons from a different team will result in duplication"

'Each pair must find and press the buttons before the given time runs out'

'Failed to do so will result in immediate elimination'

Hee Chul looks at Ree Na and smirks, "Seems easy enough isn't it?", Hee Chul said smiling as made a bobbing move with his eyebrows, "Yeah, we got this", Ree Na replied with an awkward sound.

[Game: Hidden Buttons]

[Mode: Random Pair]

[Rule:]

*A map can only be opened when two individuals held on the ball together.

*Each team must press their specified number only.

*Three buttons must be press for each pair.

*Pushing the other team's button will result in duplication.

*Failure to push three buttons at the end of the given time, will result in immediate elimination.

'Level one will start in the next three minutes, please be prepared.'

"You ready?", Ree Na asked. Hee Chul grins, "You bet!", Hee Chul replied. Ree Na looked at the other side and saw a boy around Yoo Chan's age. "Don't let yourself gain sympathy", Hee Chul said and looked at Ree Na, "Because it can cause your death", he added. "There's no pity or kindness here, this is the fittest of survival", he said with a straight face.

Ree Na couldn't ignore that truth, he needs to trample some people in order to be at the top and save her own. She couldn't argue what Hee Chul said, if she helps them, her weakness will show. She doesn't know what a person's true intention, contradicting herself will be the best outcome for her.

Two minutes left and all of them were holding onto their breaths, the chilling event after a minute will happen. Greediness will take over and no one can falter the sadistic rules that are given. This is no man's land and everyone should deny themselves in this round.

Ree Na looked at the other pair and it seems they were doing something, they were tying their hands with a shoelace so they wouldn't let go of each other's hand.

"Ahjussi?", Ree Na called.

"What is it?", Hee Chul replied, "And don't call me, Ahjussi", he added, annoyed.

"Look", Ree Na pointed with her lips towards the pair. "Shouldn't we tie our hands together too?", she suggested.

Hee Chul looks at the pair, "It's fine", he said.

"Why?", she asked. "The ball might fall and it's inevitable that we'll get separated because of panic", she said.

"Don't worry, it won't happen",Hee Chul reassured.

Ree Na's face curled, questioning Hee Chul's judgment , "How are you so sure?", she asked.

Hee Chul looks at her and grins, "Trust me, we won't lose this".

One minute left and the whole place was silent, the only sound you can hear is the music playing, the clock ticking and the heart's beating.

Hee Chul sat down to remove his shoes, "Remove your shoes too", Hee Chul said.

"Why?"

"Just look at the floor, it's glittering", Hee Chul nods once and points with his head. The floor was indeed so spotless that they could even see their clear reflections. Ree Na started removing her shoes, she knows that the floor will be slippery if they use rubber shoes.

The other pairs saw them remove their shoes, knowing the same thing, they also remove their shoes.

'The second round will now begin', the timer has run out and it's time to play the second round.

[Duration: 3 minutes]

'The game will begin in-', all of them buckle themselves up and keep their toes in check. The only way out is to win the game.

'3', Hee Chul hands out his hand to Ree Na and gulps.

'2', Ree Na held onto his hand and pinched the black ball together with their hands.

'1', All of them held onto their breaths.

A loud bang came out of nowhere for the signal. Ree Na was caught off guard and shocked by the sound. She let go of Hee Chul's hand and the black ball fell. It rolled into one of the shelves. Ree Na stared blankly as she covered her ears with her hands. "What are you doing!?" Hee Chul yells.

Hee Chul grabs her with two hands on both her upper arms. Ree Na's breathing became abnormal, "Hey! snap out of it!", Hee Chul shakes her but Ree Ma starts crying and yelling.

Ree Na drops her knees on the ground, "Hey, what's wrong with you?", Hee Chul doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know what's going on with her.

*ting*, Hee Chul heard a sound. One team has already found one button and the picture above them has a line mark to symbolise a point. Ree Na continues to cry as if she's in pain. Time is running out and they didn't even start a scratch for progress. Hee Chul can't prioritize anything, they have to pass the level or they will meet death in the gate.

Hee Chul runs to the shelves where the ball rolled, leaving Ree Na behind. Hee Chul lifts the shelves with his strength just to get the ball. "Snap out of it! For goodness sake!", Hee Chul yells and throws the shelf with his hands on the other side. He tried to search for the ball and it wasn't there, "Where the hell is it!?", Hee Chul was starting to agitate but he was trying to keep himself as calm as possible.

"Ahjussi", the boy from the pair called out to him from behind the shelf handing out something to him. It was their ball, Hee Chul's chest got lighter for a moment. The ball rolled into the other side of the other shelf where it can be seen in an open space at the other side of the aisle he is in.

Hee Chul took their ball from him with hope in his eyes, "What are you doing!?", the boy's partner shouted from a distance. "Why are you helping them!? We are playing against them, you useless bastard!", his partner was enraged that he was ready to fight a lion. The boy bows his head to apologize and looks at Hee Chul, "I gotta go, Ahjussi", the boy said then runs to his partner. He wasn't able to thank him.

The boy's partner smacked him in the end really hard and scolded him, Hee Chul saw it and he felt anger coming into him. He looked at Ree Na and went to her, his hand crumpled. He lifted Ree Na's head and looked her in the eyes, she was still bawling her eyes out that her eyes turned red.

Hee Chul only knows one answer to get her back and he needs to use it now. Hee Chul slaps her hard on her cheek. "You better stop this or I will punch you hard next!", he yells. Ree Na stopped crying and her cheeks reddened. She got her senses back but she wasn't able to react, she just stared at Hee Chul.

*ting* *ting*

The other teams have already found two buttons each. Hee Chul doesn't have a choice but to move on his own. The gap is already far behind them. Hee Chul grabs her hand and puts the ball in between their hands.

The map shows up and Hee Chul tries to memorize the button's location. One is in the far left side, one is in their aisles and one at the front where the counter can be found. Hee Chul took the ball and ran to the nearest button. Hee Chul scattered the items stack on the shelves trying to find the hidden button.

As Hee Chul continued, someone ran passed by him from behind, it was Ree Na. She went for the button hidden near the counter, Hee Chul was relieved that she came back to her senses and couldn't but smiled.

Hee Chul found the hidden button at left side of the shelf that was covered with ketchups in plastic bottles. Hee Chul didn't wait for the time and immediately presses the button.

*ting*, they finally gained a point.

'Thirty seconds', they haven't have much time left, Hee Chul sprints to the farthest left side of the store to find the other button. He trusted Ree Na that she can find the other one.

Hee Chul ran so fast as he was competing for the olympics, he reach to his destination in less that ten second. He changed his trajectory to right where the button is hidden. As he remembers it's was on middle of the left side. Hee Chul's eyes widens as he saw a bunch of rice sacks stacked together.

Ree Na looks every corner of the counter, from under top and even inside the compartments, she wasn't able to find the button. She looks at the time and they only had twenty seconds left on the clock. Ree Na salvage everything she can see, she removes everything from the counter aggressively as if she was rampage. The trays, the glass jars, the signs, all the stuff she sees was thrown away.

Hee Chul didn't tale any time, he started lifting and putting away the rice sacks one by one, he didn't bother looking at the remaining because he knows it will him go crazy in panic. He lifts every single sack of rice as if he was lifting something light. The adrenaline was so high that the pain that he felt from lifting didn't even bother him.

*ting* , the boy and his partner have found all the buttons in time and there was two pairs left.

Tension began to rise as their life was hanging on a thin line, they just need to use all they've got to get back up and it won't be easy.

Ree Na have cleared all the things on the counter and she couldn't find any buttons. 'Aaahhh! Just where is it!?", Ree Na yells out of pressure. The pressure was getting into her and she just couldn't know what to do anymore. There was still hope and those spare second they have left can change their destinies. They just need to believe that they will find it.

'Ten seconds left', they are running out of time.

Hee Chul's adrenaline rises higher than before after hearing the time they have left. He was turning into red tomato, he was giving all his might as he removes every sack of rice. His veins are popping out and his hands was sweaty.

Out of the blue, Ree Na had felt something, she have this senses that the button must be hidden in the most unusual space. She looks at the cash register, the only thing left on the counter. She immediately held onto it and tries to open the register. She works as cash register before so she knows how register works. She opened the register and she finally found the button. Her eyes widen as of the big heavy pressure was lifted.

*ting*, they have pushed two buttons and it's up for Hee Chul to complete the level.

'5', Hee Chul was on the last sack.

'4', he lifts and his eyes was popping as he used the the last ounces of strength in him.

'3', he puts away the sack and he can feel that he is wearing out and he can't move his body anymore.

'2', Hee Chul's perception began to collapse.

He wasn't able to find button, his sight that was turning to black was hindering him to search for the button.

'1', he lost his sense of balance and fell down on his knees then his body drops on the floor.

Hee Chul failed to find the final button.

Ree Na knows that he tried his best, it was her fault why they didn't have enough time. She blamed herself as she close her eyes, she was ready to die but the regret of bringing Hee Chul with her will remain even in the afterlife. Ree Na shed a tear as regret keep eating her at the last second of their life. Ree Na can't forgive herself.

*ting*, when their world started to crumble, a ray of light has shone to show miracles. They heard a sound, a sound that is greater than music.

Ree Na looks at the walls where their pictures are posted. Ree Na drop herself on the floor as her knees was weakened and she began to cry, not in agony, but a cry of relief. Ree Na saw three lines marks on their profiles. They have completed the second round of the wishing game. Ree Na loud cries can be heard throughout the store.

Hee Chul got his consciousness a little bit. He smiled as he hears the cries of Ree Na, he knows this wasn't a cry of agony. He knows that they have successfully and passed the second round of the wishing game.

After a moment, Ree Na got up and ran. She went to get Hee Chul. She found Hee Chul lying on his chest on the floor unconscious. She went near him and tries to wake him up, "Ahjussi, are you okay?", she tries to shake him.

"Aw aw aw!", Hee Chul was in pain and Ree Na removes her hand immediately. "I am sorry", she apologizes. The muscle pain immediately took effect. It was so severe that a single movement from him hurts.

Ree Na cries, "I thought you were dead", she whips.

"Who the hell says that I going to die here!?", he said. Ree Na continued to cry. "Stop being a crybaby and help me get up", he said.

Ree Na wiped her tears and tries to help Hee Chul, "Aw aw, be careful, it hurts", Hee Chul endured the pain. Ree Na carefully picks him up and wrap his arm on her shoulders, "Just what happened to you, to the point that it made you like this.

Hee Chul looks at the sacks of rice spread all over, "See that, those rice sacks scattered every corner?", he pointed. "I lift every single of it in less than thirty seconds", he said.

She tries counting the rice sacks and she gets fifteen. She was amazed, "That's amazing, Ahjussi", he praised him.

Hee Chul's face curled instead of being happy after receiving her praise, "I said don't call me, Ahjussi. I am not an Ahjussi", he said.

Ree Na laughs as she tries to get him up with her small body, "Are you sure, you can lift me?", Hee Chul was concerned with her small body.

Ree Na smirks. He twister him around and lifts him on her back, "Hey hey!, Ree Na was able to carry him. "I work as a heavy loader before so weights are easy for me", she said proudly.

As they about to go back to their spots, something was bothering Hee Chul, "Wait", Ree Na stops. "How did we completed it?", Hee Chul asked.

"What do you mean?"

"As I remember, I didn't press the final button", his eyebrows went downwards trying to think how they did it.

Hee Chul looks at Ree Na, "Not me, I didn't press the final button too", Ree Na said, both of them were confused.

"Then how did we manage to win?", Hee Chul said.

Ree Na turned around to look for the button. She looked down and checks the spot where Hee Chul was laying earlier. Ree Na chuckled, "What? What is it?", Hee Chul asked.

"Look over there", Ree Na points with her head. Hee Chul looks at the direction where Ree Na was looking and he found the final button.

Hee Chul managed to uncover button but he didn't see it because of his tearing consciousness, he wasn't able to see clearly that time. When he drop himself on the floor, the button was pressed by his chest when he finally lost his consciousness.

"No! No!", they heard a scream from the far distance, it was the wisher who failed to complete the game. "There wasn't enough time! It's not fair!", his partner shouted.

Their pictures disapeared from the wall along with them, they faded and nowhere to be found. They were gone like a pop bubble. No one knows where they went to, but they know that they went to a place that a human wouldn't want to go.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

[End of Act III - Hidden Buttons - Supermarket]

[Next - Hidden Buttons - Rain Forest