No Way Out (Squidgame s2 x child reader)

|9|

🌃🌃🌃

By the time all the other teams had either passed or perished, only two remained—ours and one other. My throat was dry, scratchy from too much cheering, but I couldn't help it. Every time a team made it, I screamed in joy, clinging to the small victories. But now, as the reality of our turn settled in, my body betrayed me.

I started shivering. Not from fear, though there was plenty of that, but because I always shivered when I was sick. My hands trembled as I stood between Dae-ho and 001, trying to steady myself. Dae-ho must have noticed because, without a word, he reached over and grabbed my hand. His grip was warm, reassuring. I met his gaze and forced a small smile. It felt nice to be noticed, to not feel so alone in this moment.

"The final two teams, prepare to play."

That damn monotone voice sent a wave of nausea rolling through me. I swallowed hard, regretting it instantly as my throat burned.

The cold weight of the shackles wrapped around my ankles, an unnatural sensation. I shifted, testing them. They weren't unbearably heavy, but they were restrictive, binding me to the rhythm of my teammates.

I glanced to my side. Dae-ho and I were almost the same height, while 001 was noticeably smaller, even smaller than Gi-hun. That could work in our favor. Lighter steps meant faster movement. I coughed, a deep, rattling sound, and exhaled slowly. Better to get that out now before we started.

"It's weird, isn't it?" Jung-bae mused, bumping his shoulder into Dae-ho, who in turn nudged me lightly. "Being the only ones without an audience?"

I let out a small, breathy chuckle. He had a point. No one was left to cheer for us. Just us, our opponents, and the guards watching like vultures.

"Hey, you scared?" Jung-bae asked.

Dae-ho straightened. "No, sir." His voice was steady, but his posture was stiff, betraying his nerves.

I knew he was lying. We all were.

"Actually... it's kind of a good thing we're alone," Dae-ho continued, glancing toward the other team. "It's quiet. Easier to focus."

I wasn't sure if he believed that or if he was just trying to keep morale up, but I gave his hand a small squeeze anyway. My fingers were ice-cold against his.

"We'll see you guys when you cross the finish line! Victory!" Jung-bae shouted, raising his fists in the air.

"Hell yeah! See you on the other side!" someone from the other team called back, their teammates joining in with their own chants of encouragement.

I took a deep breath and, on impulse, wrapped my arms around both Dae-ho and 001—one arm linked with each of them. 

"We got this. I have faith," 001 murmured. "Besides, we've got a previous winner with us." He nodded toward Gi-hun, who barely reacted, too focused on the track ahead.

Then—

BANG!

The gunshot rang out, and we moved.

"One, two. One, two." Our feet hit the sand in perfect rhythm.

The first challenge—Ddakji.

222 stepped forward, grabbing the blue paper tile as the guard dropped the red one onto the ground. My whole body tensed as she threw it down with a sharp smack—

The red tile flipped.

"Success." The monotone voice rang out, the guard making a circular gesture with their arms.