Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 24

MILA PLACED HER hands in her pockets as she waited for Oliver to show up. For the last few hours, she'd only thought about what happened with Amy and how her last hour had struck. But it was thanks to the incident she realized she wanted to return to her family, her home, as soon as possible.

Once Oliver appeared in view, she pressed her lips together. "We have to see the dome."

Oliver frowned. "I don't think it's a good idea Amy's attack-"

Pushing her shoulders back, Mila inhaled through her nose and out through her mouth. After all, he had no right to decide how she should feel or behave. Survival was the only thing that mattered now. Mila grabbed the map and pointed to where she'd found Oliver.

"Staying in the camp won't help us, on the contrary. I'm tired of waiting for a solution while they are presented to us."

He swallowed. "You need rest, Mila. You've been through a lot."

Grimacing, she forced her jacket's zipper up. Oliver couldn't see how important it was. The third party had no way of hiding forever and ever, Mila had to act now before the tracks were covered.

She tapped her foot on the floor. "Listen," Mila said. "I found my way to camp on my own, so I certainly can find the dome."

With a sigh, Oliver snatched a backpack from the floor too. Mila's appearance relaxed as she followed him to the exit. She'd had no idea it was going to be so easy to convince him, or she just had a knack for it. Her backpack pressed to her shoulder blades, but she was ready to face the day.

Of course, an accident was never alone. Oliver opened the door for a second before Thomas stood there with his arms folded. He pushed his friend back in, a grimace all over his face.

"What are you doing?"

Mila's smile slipped. For some reason, Thomas was always around when she had a plan and put a stop to it. As of now, she was tired of him protecting Oliver.

She cocked her head and then shook it. "I'll show Oliver the dome. We need to search for clues."

"You need rest," Thomas responded. "Both of you."

Rest was for the weak. Mila didn't want to waste a second arguing when she needed every minute to find a way out. She shifted weight, her gaze flicked upward. How on earth could she avoid him?

"I'm not leaving."

Oliver put his backpack away. "I agree, Mila. I've said it before."

A pinched expression cast on her face. How could Oliver betray her when he agreed to the plan minutes ago? Yes, she knew he'd voiced his concerns, too, but that didn't justify his behavior. She folded her arms across her chest.

Thomas took it as a sign to take her backpack off her back as well. He took the map away, put it in his pocket, then shoved the backpack into the closet.

Her face reddened. She trusted Thomas. After everything, he also wanted to find a way to escape from this hell. The corners of her mouth curled into a smile.

Mila grabbed her backpack. "You wanted to get away from this hell too. Why wait for a clue to disappear?"

Thomas bit his lip. "Oliver's still injured."

She moved into his personal space. "He agreed before you came."

"Oliver?"

Oliver shrugged. "She made a fair point. I just don't want to take risks either."

Mila held out her hand. It was now or never to make a deal with the two boys, and although she didn't know them well enough yet, she knew neither of the two wanted to turn down the offer. Above all, they wished just as much to return home.