Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 17

"WE'RE ALMOST THERE!"

With a deep sigh, Mila followed Oliver over the steep mountain pass. She couldn't believe she had picked this point on the map and could have chosen an easier point, but something attracted her to this one.

Biting her lip, she counted her breath. Smiling, she stretched out once they reached the top. Oliver threw his backpack on the ground, stretched too, and then grabbed the backpack again. He never took a moment to calm down, although Mila couldn't blame him after the events.

"It's a beautiful world. Don't you think so?"

"Without wolves and Stephen for sure."

Oliver chuckled. "Fair enough. Why did you want to see it with your own eyes?"

"I don't believe we're stuck here forever. It's not very encouraging."

"I tried everything."

Mila took the map. "According to this drawing, the world stops behind the trees. Have you already walked in?"

"Women first," Oliver replied with a half grin. "I'll follow."

"You didn't answer." Mila lowered the map. "Did you or didn't you?"

"Does it matter if I say yes? You only believe it yourself, so you can't help but try either. Don't worry, I was still alive after my attempt."

Rolling her eyes, Mila folded the card. She handed her rucksack to Oliver, stepped past him with great strides, and looked at the trees. She glanced back over her shoulder for a moment. For now, she didn't want to make him feel like she couldn't handle it. With her thumb in the air, she stepped between the trees. She glanced behind her again. Oliver was still standing there. He nodded, motivating her to continue walking.

Finally, Mila forced her to take a shuffling step forward. She stretched out her arms so that she didn't bump into trees. The forest seemed to last forever. Now and then, she glanced again at Oliver, who had long been out of sight.

Mila didn't understand. The trees followed each other faster and faster. No sign of arriving in some town where someone could help her save her friends. Frowning, she quickened her pace. This couldn't be an endless path through the trees.

Breathing in and out, Mila stopped for a second. She narrowed her eyes, staring at the road ahead. Not a single clue to a new world. Or one to her city. A tear rolled down her cheeks. For a few seconds, Mila doubted whether she should return, although she refused. Oliver wasn't allowed to see her in a weak position. With words of encouragement said to herself, Mila continued to step forward as if her life depended on it.

After half an hour, sweat trickled down her forehead. She quickly rubbed it off with Oliver's jacket sleeve. It couldn't go on for hours, she thought. Sucking on the inside of her cheek, she ignored the pain in her thighs and marched on. Every step was now a glimmer of hope for a rescue.

At the end of the path, Mila noticed a light. She almost sprinted, a smile spread across her face. The trees stood further apart. This was it! Oliver was simply wrong and had given up too soon. She couldn't blame him for turning back on the way. In the end, she almost did the same thing.

She ran...

And ran...

Until she ended up back in the clearing where Oliver was waiting for her in the meantime. Her head throbbed. She hadn't taken a left or right turn and had just walked straight ahead. Not a single bend in the straight path. She stared at her trembling hands, blinking.

"It's a lot to accept." Oliver rubbed her hands with his thumb. "I understand."

"I didn't take any exits."