A sudden beep rings out from the microwave. Meal for breakfast has been already preheated in the microwave. The unexpected noise startles everyone, fear still gripping them. Tom - his heartbeat dangerously erratic - slowly clambers back onto his seat, yet his panic manifests in cruelty. He lashes out, directing his frustration at his wife. With an irritated slap to her arm, he commands.
"Lina, go get the food."
"But…"
"Hurry up! I am tired and hungry."
Still shaken from the horror moments ago, Lina hesitates, her eyes flickering toward the motionless dolls seated throughout the bus, eerily positioned like ordinary passengers. Nobody, not even the others, dares to make a move until Tate suddenly stands. Without a word, he strides forward, making his way toward the microwave. He opens the compartment, retrieving bread, then proceeds to the fridge, pulling out a water bottle and milk. Casually, he collects his meal, unaffected by the eerie atmosphere. Then, as he glances back, he notices the pleading gazes from the others, their expressions uncertain yet hopeful. Lina finally asks.
"Could you… could you grab food for us too?"
"Me too! Please!" Karen and Lyly chime in.
Without responding, Tate retrieves more food and drinks, making two rounds until everyone is provided for. After finishing, he returns to his seat, handing a piece of bread to Pearl, while keeping one for himself.
"For you"
"Thanks."
Tate says nothing more, quietly chewing on his bread, staring out the window without a hint of fear as if the horrors earlier were nothing more than a passing dream. Pearl nibbles at her own food, sneaking glances at him before hesitantly asking, "You're not scared?"
"No." His response is calm, firm, and absolute. "There were already plenty of rumors about this trip. The events match the stories, so nothing is too surprising, except for what happened earlier."
The image of Sanny burning alive flashes through Pearl's mind, making her tremble involuntarily. She shakes her head, forcing the memory away before changing the topic. "Why did you sign up for this trip?"
Tate pauses, turning his full attention to her. His expression grows serious.
"My mother used to work at the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology. She was in the biology department. After the virus outbreak, she went missing. I'm here to look for her. What about you?"
"I… was just curious. I wanted to see what the so-called land of the dead looks like." She instinctively clasps her hands together, her fingers twining nervously.
"Just curious?" He raises an eyebrow. "I don't think a little curiosity is enough to push someone onto this bus."
Pearl falters, her cheeks flushing slightly. With no other excuse, she confesses: "Actually, I planned to register with Trevor, but he didn't get selected. When I found out you were coming, I felt less nervous."
"Ah, I see."
Tate nods, seemingly satisfied with the answer. He finishes his bread, wiping his hands clean. Outside, the bus continues rolling through the dense fog, while inside, everything remains relatively calm. Nearby, Karen and Lyly chat idly, the earlier terror forgotten in their casual gossip.
"What happened earlier was horrifying!"
"Yeah."
"Anyway, Lyly - did you see the latest scandal on our school's page? Some girl got caught having an affair with a professor's husband but is still acting high and mighty."
"I don't care about that nonsense. If I could actually post pictures from this trip on Facebook, I might be interested in something."
"Did you try uploading them?"
"Yeah, I tried earlier. Every photo is completely blank. Even messages I sent hours ago haven't gone through. We're stuck, only able to scroll through other people's posts."
Lyly finishes her meal, pulls out a pack of wet wipes, and freshens up her face before reaching into her bag for makeup. She pats on powder, layer after layer. Karen sighs at her friend's obsession, lowering her half-empty milk carton before snatching the compact powder from Lyly. Holding up her phone, she points to an image on the screen.
"Come on, quit putting on makeup! Look at this for me."
Lyly shoots her a glare, then calmly pulls out another compact powder, snatching her phone, turning off the screen, and tossing it back. Her expression grows irritated.
"It's just a school drama. Let me put on my makeup. Even if I die like that woman earlier, I'd rather die looking flawless. Finish your milk."
With that, she resumes her routine, entirely unbothered. Karen presses her lips into a thin line, slipping her phone back into her bag. She gulps down the rest of her drink, deciding to drop the subject. As time passes, Pearl's thoughts drift elsewhere. Turning back to Karen, she hesitates before asking.
"Did you feel the bus stop last night? I swear, I saw someone board."
Lyly and Karen exchange puzzled glances. Karen furrows her brows, thinking before responding.
"Huh? No, I was fast asleep. Maybe you imagined it. What about you, Tate?"
"Didn't notice."
Uncertainty grows within Pearl. Something about that memory feels too real to be a dream. She glances at Tate, noticing him deep in thought.
"You also suspect something strange, don't you?"
"No, just thinking about something else."
Still unconvinced, she lets the topic go. Outside, the looming shadow of a colossal building materializes, its LED sign glowing ominously - SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT. The screen chimes loudly.
*"It is now 8:50 AM. We will arrive at the Supreme People's Court in ten minutes. As announced last night, the Platinum Pass will be awarded to the first passenger to board the bus yesterday."
A replay shows the boarding sequence: First: Danny. Second: Lina. Third: Tom. Followed by Pearl, Tate, Lyly, and Karen. The Platinum Pass appears on the screen, floating mid-air.
"Since Danny is no longer present, the pass now belongs to Lina."
The card drifts toward her, landing gently in her hands. Tom stiffens. His mouth falls open, his face twists in disbelief. Everything flashes back to him. Yesterday, he let his wife board first to test for danger, using her as a pawn, ensuring his own safety before committing to the trip. And now, this cruel twist of fate. A bitter realization slams into him. It's karma, exactly, undeniable karma. Frustration boils within him, his pride wounded beyond repair. Fury surges as he springs to his feet, protesting.
*"I DON'T ACCEPT THIS! WHY IS SHE FIRST?! SHE BOARDED SECOND! THIS IS A SETUP, ISN'T IT?"
Lina grips the Platinum Pass in her hand, letting out a cold laugh, standing up triumphantly. Tom clenches his fists as his wife strides forward. She throws him a sharp glance before raising her hand and slaps him. Shocked, he stumbles slightly, staring in disbelief. Without looking back, she shakes off his grip and moves toward the center of the bus, standing boldly before the exit. The passengers inhale sharply, rattled by the audacity of her actions. The screen remains indifferent, continuing its announcement:
"The holder of the Platinum Pass has two options: One, claim a bus ticket for the next round. Two, choose one passenger to be ejected from the bus. Please make your selection."
Silence grips the cabin. Even Lina herself hesitates for a moment. Everyone knows - the chosen passenger will not survive. The sheer weight of that realization chokes the air, tension pressing down on each breath. Yet, amidst the collective dread, Lina remains composed, her grip steady on the pass. She sweeps her gaze across the passengers, then locks onto her husband. A sinister smile creeps onto her lips as she casually tucks her hair behind her ear. Her voice drips with finality:
"Of course, I'll choose someone to be thrown off the bus."