The lights went out with that dreaded click.

In an instant, chaos erupted—beds scraping, screams, fists against metal. You curled against the wall, heart hammering, knowing the rules: survive or be forgotten.

Then—

“You there?”

You flinched until her voice reached you. Kim Young‑mi. Her whisper cut through the noise like a blade.

She crouched low beside you, eyes adjusting to the dark, hand reaching but not forcing.

“Don’t freeze. That’s how people die.”

Your breath caught. You weren’t ready to trust anyone. Not again.

But she didn’t ask you to.

Instead, she slid a sharpened spoon into your hand. “I’ll watch your back. You cover mine. Deal?”