Death Wish

Act I - Desolate Lives

A couple was shouting and arguing with each other, the noise of the ringing telephones, the drunk man yapping nonsense as his hands were cuffed on the metal rail. All the noise and scenes in the police stations didn’t bother Lee Yoo Chan’s blank mind. He was unable to fix and arrange his sense after witnessing a scene that he never expected.

He was covered with a blanket given by one of the police officers, he was given water, food, and the things he might need, but Lee Yoo Chan didn't even touch anything. He was in a complete daze. The officers were trying to get some testimonies from him for hours but he can’t even open his mouth once. The officers gave him some time to recollect his thoughts and connect his mind again.

Clammy skin was numb and stiff, dry throat, peeled skin-bits pale lips, unchanged wet clothes, and eyes were sleepy. Lee Yoo Chan was weak and cold. Several hours have passed and Lee Yoo Chan was still frozen and still in dismay. Lee Yoo Chan was weary and his body cannot take it anymore, his body and mind needs to rest. He passed out and fell on the damp sticky cold floor. One of the police officers immediately takes action to help the unconscious poor boy.

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Noh Jin Suk woke up in the middle of the night and found the old man sleeping soundly on the raggedy chair. Noh Jin Suk quietly removes the thin blanket covering him and step on the moist floor. The noisy heater was blocking the additional sounds that Noh Jin Suk makes, he was able to walk around on the creaky floor. He took his coat and all the things he have. He wore his wet and dirty shoes. He plans to leave without the old man knowing.

He stood up and was about to leave, “Be careful out there”, he heard the voice of the old man, he woke up. “Take care of yourself and be wary from now on”, the old man said. Noh Jin Suk held a deep breath not turning his head around to reply. Noh Jin Suk left without saying goodbye. He was actually thankful for the old man for taking care of him while he was in his vulnerable state but he doesn’t know how to turn the favor back. He left in a selfish way but he knows that the old man will understand his action.

He turned on his phone, the phone’s screen has cracked and it was wet during the rain but it is still working fine. The phone finally turned on and a call immediately appeared from the screen. His right-hand man ‘Jang Hee Chul’ was calling him.

He answered the call, “Boss! Thank goodness, you’re okay!”, Jang Hee Chul was finally able to breathe in peace, “Why are you not answering my calls for days?”, Jang Hee Chul asked. “I had my reasons”, Noh Jin Suk replied. “Where are you now, boss?”, he asked.

Noh Jin Suk check around the place and look at the far distance to know where he is, “I don’t know, I am not familiar with this area”, he replied and walk down the sloped. “You don’t even know where you are? Just what happened to you after we left?”, he asked. “Doesn’t matter, how things going in the den?”, he asked as he look around for nearby convenience stores. “The den became quite chaotic after you left, no one knows what to do without your supervision”, he replied.

Noh Jin Suk finds a small store beside the alley and decided to buy a cigarette, “How about you? Did the chief punish you after purposely letting me away?”. Apparently, Jang Hee Chul was the one who pretended to chase Noh Jin Suk. He helped him on purpose with the other members noticing. He is more loyal to Noh Jin Suk rather than their chief. “I got beat up but it was nothing, I also gave a notice to the chief that I am leaving the den”, Jang Hee Chul explained. “Good, I am glad you’re okay”, Noh Jin Suk puts his phone on his shoulder as his ear pressed on it to avoid the phone from falling as he lit a cigarette.

He inhaled smoke and blow, “I am glad that you are alright too, boss!”, Jang Hee Chul said. “Do you know where you are now? I am going to pick you up”, he added. Noh Jin Suk leaned on a post and continued to smoke. He watched the grey clouds passing, covering the gracefulness of the stars and moon. “There’s no need”, he answered. “Huh? What are you talking about, boss?”, Jang Hee Chul was confused. “We will not be seeing each other again, please take care and live your life to the fullest, goodbye”, Noh Jin Suk finally decided his decision. “What?! Boss, wai-”, Noh Jin Suk hung up the phone before Jang Hee Chul could respond. He inhaled one more smoke and drop the cigarette then step on it.

Noh Jin Suk went to an overpass and stayed there for a while, watching the cars pass. He went down and hitched a taxi. A taxi stopped to lift him up and he entered, “Take me to the nearest beach”, he instructed the driver. “Eh? That will to far you know? You sure you want to go there?”, the driver reminds him. “Just go”, Noh Jin Suk replied as he look outside the window.

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Lee Yoon Ho went back to his apartment and remove his coat then loosen his tie, he went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to get some wine. He needs to drink to narrow down the numerous thoughts that keep bothering him. He sat down on the isle of his kitchen and pours himself some glass. He went drinking alone without anyone to listen to his issues. Lee Yoon Ho didn’t have friends, he wasn’t allowed to get attached to other people because he might show his weaknesses. His father only sees the people around him as a tool for Lee Yoon Ho.

Lee Yoon Ho suffered depression and anxiety but he doesn’t know it. He tries to conceal his true self inside him. He can only let his real emotions when he is alone. He drank a lot of alcohol and decided to drink some more. He was already dizzy and sleepy but he keeps standing on his feet and went to the balcony.

The cold breeze of the wind went past him. He close his eyes as his two hands were occupied with the bottle of wine and glass. He lift up his arms leveling his shoulder and took a deep breath to feel some fresh air. He sat down and continued drinking. His face was already red and his eyes were droopy. He rests his head on his right hand as he pleasures himself with the spectacular view of the night city. The full moon on the dark sky and its moonlight made the scene even more beautiful.

He smiles as he realizes that only people such as him can only experience this breathtaking view. He knows that being rich has a lot of privileges that the people in the low class have. Even though he had this prerogative, he was not happy. He doesn’t know the reason why he is like this. He should be happy for having this title to himself but it seems the real emotion inside him is pulling his heart down for what truly it desires.

Lee Yoon Ho felt a wet substance dripping on his face, he let out a tear. He didn’t even notice that his feelings were finally caught out to him. It started with a single tear, more tears is coming down. His chest was heavy and he can’t steady his breath. He can’t stop crying. His nose was runny. The tears made his face muggy. Lee Yoon Ho finally let it all out after bottling up for a long time.

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TWO MONTHS LATER

This is the time of the year, the time where people are expecting for. They are ready to welcome a spectacular event of the year. An event that changed the course of history and beliefs. An event where a miraculous gift is given to the people who are worthy. It’s not Christmas or new year, those events have long been forgotten ever since the supernatural event have stepped into the realm of humanity, introducing a new way to have some fun and excitement. No more Santa Claus, no more Christmas trees, no more holiday songs, no more decorative sets. The Halloween event is extended until the end of the year.

In the next few days, the celebratory event will happen and the people are already preparing to welcome the event. The Wishing Game is almost live! The people have become accustomed to this every year and it turned to be the most anticipated occasion of the year. People all over the world are waiting for it to go live!

Everyone who is desperate is willing to do anything to gain a ticket to join the wishing game but does not really know how the participants are selected. They say the game chooses random people against their will. The game is still a mystery after appearing twelve years ago. People who have frivolous lives are willing to risk it all even with their lives just to get a chance to obtain the ultimate. Their desires have blinded them to do anything, even knowing that the game can end their lives.

People in the world see this as a game for entertainment. Outside the screen, people are cheering on for their favorites while the wishers are fighting for their lives. In a world where hypocrisy is already showing its true colors, the world has become infected with a disease that turns chaos much more destructive.

Over the past years, more problems have surfaced ever since the wishing game appeared. A cult has been hooking people up to make them believe that the wishing game was a gift from the gods. They believe that this supernatural occurrence has appeared to punish the sinners, and those sinners are the selected participants known as the wishers.

An underground organization connected to the wishing game, took advantage to gain some fortune. The ‘WIC’ is also known as Wishers Inimical Code. This organization controls an underground gambling syndicate that takes bets from rich individuals who finds entertainment on the wishing game. For them, the wishing game is the most satisfying pleasure they can get every year. They bet on the wishers and predict who’s going to win. A great extent of fortune is being transferred inside the gambling set.

The people who were selected to be the wishers are soon to be revealed.

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[End of Act I - Desolate Lives]

[Next Act - Uncanny Dream]