Labyrinth of Shadows | TMR MINHO ¹

• Epilogue •

The Gladers don't know how long they've been on the bus; the only thing on their minds right now is that they're safe in WICKED. Their suffering is over. No Maze, Grievers; they have nothing to lose because of Banishing.

Zelia could only look into the distance at the front of the bus, where she could see the other Gladers and their rescuer sitting quietly. She wanted to close her eyes, but she couldn't because she could see Chuck. Chuck was too young to be lost to them. Chuck who's the one who didn't deserve to be in the Glade. Chuck, when they were about to be freed, was suddenly killed in front of them.

Minho noticed that Zelia was deep in thought right next to him, so he gently held her hand. The girl looked at the young man because of what he did and saw that he gave her a short smile.

"You okay? Why aren't you sleeping yet? It's obvious that it will take us a long time to get to where we're going," Minho asked with concern in his voice.

Even though Zelia felt tired, she still couldn't help but think of the friends she had considered friends for over a year in the Glade. This is not what she thought would happen. She wants all her friends to get out so that their suffering can end.

"Can't sleep. All I can think about is Chuck," Zelia said and stared at her hands that were stained with blood that had obviously dried up. It wasn't her but him. She's trying to put pressure on his chest to stop the blood flowing.

Minho can feel how the girl is hurting right now. He knows how close Zelia and Chuck are; that's why he didn't hesitate to throw a spear at Gally's chest.

The young man held the girl's hands so that she could not see the trail of blood that was left on her. "Chuck must have thought that you and Thomas are siblings, so he had to save your brother. He doesn't want to see you sad when Thomas is gone. Because you both stung by the Griever, you remember each other."

Zelia smiled bitterly because of what Minho told her. He has a point, but is there a chance that if Gally didn't follow them, Chuck would still be with them right now? That they don't feel this sad because the youngest within the Glade is gone?

The girl raised her eyes and met her gaze with Thomas, who was also right next to her, who had been listening to the conversation between the two of them and Minho. There is nothing I can do if what happened has happened. It hurts, but I still have my friends, especially Thomas, who I already know who he is in my life.

Thomas suddenly frowned when he noticed that Zelia was just staring at him. He felt like she wanted to say something but she couldn't.

"Zee? You okay?" He asked, causing Minho to look at the two of them in confusion. Thomas noticed that, so he spoke again. "Is there's something wrong? Do you feel something-"

Thomas didn't finish what he had to say when Zelia's hands suddenly went to his neck. Minho didn't expect what was happening now.

"Zelia!" Minho shouted and quickly removed Zelia's hands from Thomas's neck. "You're going to kill him!"

Because of the young man's shout, the Gladers and those who saved them stood up from their seats. Minho is still trying to remove her hand, but he doesn't know where Zelia's strength is coming from, even though Thomas is also trying to remove the girl's stranglehold on him.

"What happened?!" one of them who was wearing a black uniform asked. Minho was about to speak when Zelia suddenly elbowed him in the chest, causing him to push away from their place and almost fall to the floor.

Thomas had no choice, and he kicked Zelia away from him hard, and Minho immediately caught her. The young woman screamed for an unknown reason while struggling in the young man's grip.

"What happened to her?!" Maggie asked, worried for her friend.

"We don't know! Minho talked to her earlier, and she just attacked me!" Thomas explained while holding his own neck. They looked at Minho when he suddenly shouted in pain.

They saw how the young man's arms were bleeding from deep scratches, and Zelia was digging her nails in just to get out of Minho's grip.

"Zel! Stop! That's Minho! You're hurting him!" Kendrix screamed with fear in his voice for his two friends, but they didn't listen. She only screamed and struggled more.

"Do you know what's happening to her?" Frypan asked to those in black uniforms. They noticed that they were silent while waiting to see what would happen.

"We do. Of course we do," the man said.

"Then why are you just standing there?! Do something to her!" Teresa shouted.

"Too late for that," he added. "She got the Flare."

"What do you want us to do?" Newt asked. Even though he already has an idea of what the answer to his question is, he still wants to hear it from those who helped them.

"Kill her." Zelia's scream got louder, and Minho almost let go of her.

"No! There's got to be a way!" Minho shouted that even though he could feel how his arms hurt, he still had no intention of letting go of the girl. "We're not going to do that! She's our friend!"

"You don't have a choice! She's suffering! You need to do it! If you want to save her, just kill her! Do you want her to attack your other friends?!" Because of the man's scream, Minho suddenly let go of Zelia and ran to where the bus door was.

But before the girl could pass their friends, Minho immediately grabbed her and made Zelia lie on the floor while he was on top of her and holding her hands. The girl tried to kick him, but he didn't leave on top of her.

"Minho...Please, do something..." He heard Thomas say that he was obviously begging. Even though he couldn't see the man's face, he knew he was sad for his sister.

"No...Please tell me something that there's still have other choice..." Minho said while looking into Zelia's eyes. As the young man sees right now, her eyes have no life.

"Minho...Please...I'm the one who's begging you," Thomas said, and Minho immediately shook his head. He can't. He doesn't want to do it.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the chaos.

In a flash, he drew a knife from his belt. He hesitated, his hands trembling, and for a split second, he thought he saw the real Zelia behind those wild, terrified eyes. But he's wrong, and he doesn't have a choice.

Minho thrust the knife forward, the blade sinking into her chest. Zelia’s eyes widened, and for a moment, she just stared at him, as if waking from a terrible dream. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Slowly, her body went limp.

The bus fell silent. The Gladers watched, frozen in shock, and Minho left on top of the girl.

"I'm sorry, Zelia. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." The young man said and hugged her tightly.

He killed her.

The one who saw him as himself—not a Runner, not a Keeper, not a tough person—just being himself.

Minho killed Zelia.

The Gladers knew that Zelia had helped them all a lot. She taught them how to fight and protect themselves. She's just not a part of Med-jacks, she healed them in different ways. In fact, she's one of the reasons why they survive.

Everyone saw how Minho killed Zelia.