Welcome to Seoul

September 2, 2044- Friday

The lights of the city shine against the dark early morning sky. From the high vantage point, Rise looks down to the constellation of lights on the earth’s fabric of space below. Inside the plane a beeping noise comes overhead signaling their arrival. He holds onto the sides of his seat to feel better on the descent.

“Wake up, Nix!” says Yuki, shaking Nix in the seat in front of Rise.

“Huh?” says Nix, looking up confused.

“We’re here!” says Jackson, leaning forward.

Soon after, they disembark in an orderly fashion. Passengers gather their carry-on belongings and exit the plane.

There is a slight ringing in Rise’s ears that lasts all the way from exiting the plane to entering the busy Seoul airport. The airport looks very modern with its ergonomic chairs which they sit at surrounded by their luggage while Yuki makes a call for their ride.

“Han, you’re Asian, right?” says Jackson.

“Yeah, part of my heritage is Chinese,” says Han.

“Do you happen to know any Korean words?” says Jackson.

“Mmm… gam-sa-ham-ni-da is thank you and you say ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo for hello,” says Han.

“Ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo!” says Jackson

“A translation app on your phone could be handy,” says Rise.

“I agree it could come in use when we explore the city,” says Nix.

“You think they’ll let us?” asks Lily, looking over at Yuki, who stood some meters away.

Rise notices there are more Koreans walking around the airport, but there are also a good number of people who look like tourists. It might be a good place to visit, he thought. But then he remembered he was not here for vacation and his mouth became dry. He took out his water bottle and took a sip. It ran out of water and he had no more. He’d have to ask Yuki for another water bottle.

Nix saw his empty water bottle.

“You can have my extra water, Rise,” says Nix.

“You sure?” says Rise.

“Yeah, I still have my other one almost full,” says Nix.

“Thanks!” says Rise, taking the water bottle.

As he takes a sip, he notices someone greeting Yuki from the corner of his eye. It is someone who looks familiar- the man in black.

Yuki and the man walk closer to the group.

“Hello, all I am Agent Zen. I’ll be taking you to the hotel and helping Yuki in any of your needs throughout the week’s event,” says the man, bowing slightly to them.

They say their hellos to Agent Zen and grab their luggage of large duffle bags from the floor. For a week’s long stay they have packed light, distance considered. They head out as a group to the now bright morning. There is the sound of birds in the distance singing their morning song. The sunrise has just painted the sky a soft pink tone that blends with the blue sky.

The parking lot is large but follow behind Agent Zen to the spot where two gray cars await them. They split up and the girls decide to go in one car together. Leaving the boys together. It is Agent Zen as the copilot and the three: Jackson, Han and Rise in the backseat. The luggage in the trunk allows enough space for the three of them to sit together. Rise sits at one end by a window which is rolled half-way down to let the air in. A light breeze hit Rise’s face as the car moved through the road.

There are many cars in this part of town, but the two cars tried to keep together throughout the traffic. Nearing the center of the city, the highrise buildings grew taller and taller. Their structures are thick glass material which reflects light in all directions. As they passed to the other side of town, he wasn’t sure if it was north, east, west or south, only that it was opposite the airport. The car slows down. On one building was a large digital billboard with runners on it. Rise looked on and it was about their event! DEATHATHON ran across the billboard next to some Korean characters and then English: “Place Your Bets” right underneath. Rise felt sick seeing this and was glad when they turned a street leaving the billboard behind. But the thoughts that remained of the running event linger in the back of his mind. He felt no better than a race animal to be watched and used for entertainment. Perhaps if this was his choice of profession he would feel different, but as he would find out, there was nothing professional about the Deathathon.

As his thoughts remained, the car parked in front of a tall building made partially of glass. It was a square structure with people walking in the front. They got out and carried their luggage inside of the hotel.

Yuki came back from the front desk with room key cards. She gave one to each of them. The girls had a room right next to the boys on the 88th floor.

Agent Zen and Yuki will each have a room on the same floor as the teenagers. There is much anticipation for them to reach their rooms.

“Are we doing anything right now, or can we relax? " asks Nix to Yuki on the elevator.

“You may relax and explore the hotel, be in bed by 9-10pm. I’ll send you a message to meet for breakfast, then training at 8 am,” says Yuki.

They enter the 88th floor, a clean space with cool central air. Upon reaching their hallway, they separate into the rooms. Jackson slides his card in and Rise and Han follow behind him. There are two beds in this room, both of amble size. They leave their bags on the bed. Jackson throws himself on the bed. Han looks around the room through all the items.

“What are you looking for?” asks Rise, watching as Han’s hands move through each item.

He doesn’t answer until he inspects the entire room.

“I was looking for cameras or microphones,” says Han.

“Jackson sits up a bit saying, “You think they’d watch us in here?”

Han nods his head. Jackson lays back down.

“Well, I’m taking a shower. Will you all use the bathroom first?” asks Rise.

“Oh, me!” says Jackson.

At the end of the relaxing shower, Jackson and Han want to look at the first floor of the hotel. Agent Zen did mention they could order under his name at the restaurant at the hotel. They were feeling hungry, so they went down to the first floor in search of food.

In no time, they had gone through a plate full of delicious Korean food. The food was a new experience for Rise. Han suggested they walk around the first floor. They see a bar in one section of the hotel but you have to show your id. A small indoor garden on the second floor provided a shady spot to enjoy the afternoon.

“Let’s watch a movie in the room,” says Jackson.

Since it was the afternoon they sat watching an action film. In all the commotion, Rise had forgotten to call his parents. He called his mom from and she seemed happy to see him through video chat. Yuki had said on the plane previously that they can call their parents but not mention anything about their training.

“Take care, dear,” says Ma at the end of the call.

“Love you ma,” says Rise.

When the film ends, Rise and Jackson decide they can share the bed if they put a pillow in between themselves, as neither of them wants to sleep on the small couch. The bed feels odd and the light from the window reminds Rise he is not back home. The uncomfortable sheets lay on his skin- a foreign feeling. When he arrived at the running academy it felt strange, but being here. He feels so small and much more out of place. He watches the city lights twinkle from the window and falls asleep counting lights- making wishes.