Minho

From their first day in the Glade, Mia and Minho couldn't be around each other without conflict. They didn't hate each other, but their worlds intersected, as if in parallel realities. Minho was the life of the party among the boys, while Mia was always met with sarcasm. She responded in kind, with a proud expression.

Minho ran in the Labyrinth every day, and Mia worked in the garden. Their paths crossed only during dinner, when they would argue about business. Alby was already tired of their conflicts.

One day, while Mia was peeling potatoes by the fire, she heard a strange sound. At first, she thought it was the wind, but the sound came again—low and vibrating. Chuck, sitting nearby, told her to ignore it, but curiosity compelled Mia to get up and walk toward the gate, ignoring his entreaties.

It was dark and damp inside the Labyrinth. She tried to memorize the turns, but the corridors were identical, and soon she became lost. The sound grew closer, then faded. Mia tried to turn back, but there were no traces left. The silence was oppressive, and soon she heard the sound of a gate closing.

She pressed herself against the wall, trying to hide. Suddenly, someone grabbed her roughly by the elbow. Miya opened her mouth to scream and saw Minho, his eyes wild.

"Are you an idiot?" he hissed, shaking her.

She didn't have time to answer. Minho suddenly pushed her against the wall, then hugged her so tightly that it took her breath away. His heart pounded in his chest, and he exhaled into the top of her head:

• If I weren't worried, I would have strangled you myself.