The room was illuminated in blinding white.

Voices, some panicked, others just returning to consciousness, filled the fifty by fifty meter space. The walls of the room were packed from the floor to ceiling with stacked bunked beds, each just large enough to hold one sleeping body. The center of the room, empty and unassuming, beckoned the attention of the participants.

Seojin quickly retracted his hand as a foot landed on the rung he had been reaching for. Numerous faces had already passed him by, friendly, harsh, indifferent, and the timing between each body was inconsistent. It seemed less and less likely that he would be able to get down. Each time he mustered up the courage to reach for the ladder, another body would suddenly occupy the free space.

This time—this time he’ll—

Spotting another opening, Seojin forced himself forward. Right as he closed his hand around the cool metal of the ladder, a foot stopped on the rung right above him. Cautiously, Seojin chanced a peek upwards. Craning his neck, he faltered as he met your eyes.

You looked confused by his appearance. It was only natural to assume that the beds much closer to the ground would be empty by now, so his presence was an unexpected one. You watched as the shaking of Seojin’s hand turned into a full body tremor, pitying him. Gesturing towards the next rung of the ladder, you dipped your head once.

Seojin’s eyes widened. You’re letting him go! Caught up in relief of not having to wait anymore, he stared back mutely, hand going slack on the ladder. At that, you expressed confusion, and Seojin quickly snapped out of his daze. Scrambling forward, Seojin nodded frantically at you, mouthing back words of gratitude. His foot landed on the rung below, and now finally part of the ‘queue’, he made his way towards the ground.

As he climbed, his mind wandered.

Could this all be related to that businessman?

Seojin was currently burdened with a mountain of debt. He had assumed that the contract he signed for his apartment only stipulated a single one-time security deposit, but his landlord pointed out a hidden clause stating that the deposit would change with each fluctuation of the market. New expenses appeared every week, and as his landlord kept demanding more and more money, Seojin’s bank account quickly emptied out. He took on several jobs in an attempt to pay back his landlord, but he was quickly fired from each for not performing effectively as a consequence of poor sleep and a lack of food. To make matters worse, the bank soon barred him from borrowing any more money, cutting off any possible way he had of paying back his landlord.

Seojin despaired. He continued to look for jobs but he was turned away without an interview each time. Just as he was ready to leave everything behind, a suited man approached him. He offered Seojin a business card with nothing but a phone number and the claim that he could pay off his debt with the right kind of work before disappearing from sight. Assuming he had nothing to lose, Seojin gave the number a call.

Feet meeting solid ground instead of thin metal, Seojin let go of the ladder.

Densely congregated together in the center of the room, the growing sea of evergreen tracksuits slowly began to form small pockets as individuals began to group up.

Seojin hesitated awkwardly by the ladder, unsure of what he should do.

You reached the floor shortly after, scanning the room before coming to a decision. Determined, you began marching towards the crowd.

Oh—

Before he had even processed the action himself, Seojin was already chasing after you. You were the first person to show him the slightest bit of kindness in a long, long time, and he didn’t wish to be without any guidance in such an unsettling environment. If he were to end up alone here, he might as well be as good as dead.

Trailing after you, Seojin mustered up the courage to get your attention.

“...Excuse me,” reaching out, Seojin timidly tapped your back.