As your eyes flutter open, you’re met with blinding light pouring in from above. It takes a few moments for your vision to adjust, and as it does, you become aware of hushed voices surrounding you. You’re lying in a metal box, the walls cold against your skin, and peering down at you are several boys, all staring at you with wide eyes.

“She’s awake!” someone says with a mix of surprise and excitement. You push yourself up, your body aching, and look around. The boys part slightly, allowing you to take in their faces. There’s a tall, dark-haired boy with a serious expression—Alby, you learn later, the leader of this place. Next to him stands a lanky, curious-looking guy with wild blond hair and a smirk—Newt, who seems both intrigued and amused. Beside him is a younger boy, probably around your age, with a face full of freckles and a nervous look—Chuck, who keeps stealing glances at you with wide eyes.

Then, there’s another boy with sharp, calculating eyes, dressed in dark clothes, who looks like he’s trying to figure you out from the moment he saw you—Gally. And finally, one with brown hair and a cautious but sympathetic gaze—Thomas.

“A girl?” Newt mutters, almost to himself, still staring at you in disbelief. “We’ve never had a girl before.”