Choosing differently

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Doona got home after catching a ride on the train, the rhythmic clatter of the tracks still echoing in her ears. She set down her bags as she entered the dark apartment, the silence of the space almost oppressive. Her phone dinged with a new message, the screen lighting up her tired face. She glanced at her phone while walking towards her bedroom, reading that Jun Ho had to leave because he got called in for work again and would bring home dinner if it wasn't too late. She rolled her eyes a bit, frustration bubbling up inside her as she took out the crumpled bills she earned today from her pocket.

She counted the money in her hands, the paper rough against her fingertips, before opening her sock drawer. The drawer creaked slightly as she pulled it open, revealing a small stash of hidden money, her secret lifeline to pay off her mounting debts. Each bill was a testament to her hard work, but also a reminder of how far she still had to go. She didn't pay for a single thing in this house. Guilt twisted in her stomach, but she pushed it aside, telling herself that if she saved up enough money, she would help out... hopefully.

She grabbed her cigarette box from under her gray sock, closed the drawer, and walked towards the balcony. She slid open the sliding glass door, and the cold air hit her face like a sharp reminder of the harsh reality outside. She sighed deeply, leaning against the cold metal railing, its chill seeping through her thin shirt. She overlooked the busy city below, a symphony of streetlights and car horns, each light and sound a stark contrast to the darkness and silence of her apartment.

With a practiced motion, she opened the cigarette box and grabbed her lighter, the small flame flickering in the breeze as she took out a cigarette. She sighed again, this time with a mix of resignation and relief, as she placed the cigarette between her lips and put the box back in her pocket. The first drag was always the most satisfying, the smoke curling around her like a protective shroud.

As she exhaled, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the brown card she had gotten earlier from the overly cheerful man. She traced the edges of the brown paper with her thumb, the texture rough against her skin. The man's words drilled into her head, "Call the number on the back. We don't have a lot of spots left."

His enthusiasm annoying, and the good amount of money he had given her was tempting. If it was for a job, she wondered how much more she could make.  Doona turned the card over, the number staring back at her like a promise of a better future. She took another drag of her cigarette, the smoke swirling around her as she contemplated her next move. The city buzzed below her, each light and sound a reminder of the life she was trying to escape and the new possibilities that lay ahead. But how did that man know so much about her? The thought gnawed at her, making her feel uneasy. Maybe she should tell Jun Ho—he was good at digging up information and could probably find out more about this mysterious man. Yet, the whole thing was very sketchy, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. She needed money, though, and that need was pressing.

With a mix of reluctance and determination, she pulled her phone out of her pocket, her fingers trembling slightly as she stared at the screen. The number on the back of the card seemed to taunt her, a gateway to the unknown. Taking a deep breath, she dialed the number, her heart pounding in her chest.

The phone rang twice before a deep voice answered, "Hello, please state your name and your date of birth if you wish to participate."

She held the phone to her ear, frozen for a moment, as the silence stretched between them. The sounds of the city filtered through the background—the hum of cars passing, distant conversations, and the persistent chill of the night air against her face. She closed her eyes, gathering her courage.