running towards each other

Charpter I. Glade

The only thing the girl remembered was fear. A heavy, suffocating fear that had haunted her constantly lately. Her hands clenched helplessly. She remembered nothing. Not her own name, not her past, not the people she had once called family. Her head throbbed with emptiness, as if she had just been born into the world.

But that wasn't true.

She was lying in some strange place. A box... or maybe an elevator. As she slowly opened her eyes, she realized the elevator was moving. One thing was clear — she was being taken somewhere. Too many questions, and far too few answers.

The grinding of the mechanism pounded painfully in her temples. Frowning, she noticed several small crates lying beside her. Making a mental note to inspect them later, the girl shut her eyes again. She needed to pretend she was asleep. Better yet — dead. If they were taking her somewhere dangerous, surprise would be her only advantage.

Through half-closed eyes, she saw a bright light and immediately squeezed them shut tighter. Her eyes needed time to adjust. She listened carefully to her surroundings. Heavy boots stomped from every direction.

"Girls definitely don't walk like that..." she thought, panic growing stronger.

Her breathing turned uneven, her heartbeat quickened, but she forced herself to stay calm.

-"Hey, is that a girl?" A velvety voice sounded nearby.

The girl tried to breathe more quietly so her act wouldn't be ruined.

One of the boys jumped directly into the elevator, examining her. Chestnut hair fell almost to her waist, though it was hard to tell while she was lying down. Dark brows, full lips, and sun-kissed skin. She looked small. Fragile, even.

-"Minho, help me," the boy beside her said.

-"Is she even alive?" Minho asked cautiously, stepping closer.

-"I think so," the boy answered. He took her wrist in his warm hands, trying to feel for a pulse. "Yeah. She's got one."

-"Lift her up."

Nodding to himself, the boy grabbed the girl in one swift motion. She continued pretending to sleep, unwilling to attract more attention. He lifted her by the waist while Minho grabbed her arm and helped pull her out. Now Minho held her by the forearms, and for the first time, her feet touched solid ground.

-"They seriously sent us a girl? Maybe we could—"

Luckily, the boy never finished his sentence.

The girl felt a knife tucked into Minho's pants and instantly snatched it. Startled, he loosened his grip, and she used the opportunity immediately. Breaking free, she finally looked around at everyone present.

Boys. Every single one of them.

This felt like the beginning of a very bad horror movie.

-"Who are you? And what am I doing here?" she demanded harshly, her voice rough and hoarse.

-"Put the knife down." That same velvety voice again.

The blond boy had climbed out of the elevator now, allowing her to see him clearly. Long pale hair the color of wheat. Deep dark eyes. Tall, broad-shouldered.

-"Who are you?" she repeated, glancing at another boy instead. Minho had Asian features, short dark hair, and brown eyes. Tall. Muscular.

"Fighting them probably isn't a good idea," she analyzed silently.

-"Put the knife down and we'll talk," Minho insisted, glancing at the blond boy. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him slowly approaching.

-"Don't come closer," she warned, gripping the knife tighter.