Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 45

MILA WOKE UP in the lab where wires came out of her arm. She blinked a few times, heaved a sigh, and then bit the inside of her cheek to stop making a sound. Her head throbbed. The plan with Elody had worked-she just needed to finish it.

With a quick and smooth movement, she pulled the connection off her head. Mila placed it on the side again over a few hairs so that she gave the impression she was still connected. She swallowed and knocked on the glass loud enough.

A few employees turned around immediately. Their eyes widened once they realized one of the chosen ones was awake. The girl with the brown hair straight up ran to her. She pressed a few buttons. Mila hit the glass for a second time. She refused to fall asleep and returned to the woods.

"I demand to have a word with the boss."

The girl shook her head. Her finger moved to the machine next to Mila-she pressed her lips together and screamed her lungs out. She had had enough of the oppression. Everyone in the woods counted on her for answers. She could now deliver them.

"Okay." The girl raised her hands. "I'll call him."

"Thanks," Mila snapped. "I don't have all day."

With a small smile, the girl walked out of the lab. The wires on Mila's body tickled. She bit her lower lip so as not to attract the attention of the other employees. She couldn't afford to be caught with a connection that didn't exist.

As she inhaled and exhaled, she tapped the glass floor of the tube with her foot. The employees didn't even monitor her-they didn't seem to care as she looked at the lab from top to bottom. Mila noticed Oliver again, who seemed to sleep peacefully. On the other side was Stephen. His eyes closed. Sighing, Mila looked for Elody, who was also attached to wires.

After a few seconds, her eyes fell on Stephen. He blinked. Mila held her breath. His trick created a connection between the lab and the forest-he had made a point. A minute later, he pinched his eyes again. Mila suspected he did out of fear of being caught.

Mila stared at the simulation of the forest. Oliver's photo hovered somewhere above the camp-he didn't bother looking for her. Mila's throat thickened. She tapped her arm. Impatiently. Waiting. The door slid open in front of her. The grey-eyed man showed up in the lab. He gave her a crooked smile.

"Mila. I wasn't expecting you again. You cracked the code."

"Why are you putting us in this position? What did we ever do wrong?"

He grimaced. "You're the perfect guinea pigs. Don't worry. The game isn't over for you yet."

The grey-eyed man moved the hand. The girl pressed a few buttons again-Mila pounded on the tube. He had to give her answers. Right now. She wasn't allowed to give up without a fight. With his left hand, he grabbed the girl's wrist. She quit.

"The experiment is about to end. Just a few more days. Weeks."

"Experiment?" Mila screamed. "Do you think this is some kind of joke? I watched people die. Wolves attacked us. Oliver and Thomas-"

Her gaze rushed through the lab-Thomas wasn't in a glass tube anywhere. Her stomach turned. Was he killed? Was his glass tube somewhere else? Mila blinked. Her gaze turned back to the lab leader.

"Where's Thomas?"

He shrugged. "That's a question for you."

"He was my friend."

"I'm sorry."

This time, he tapped the machine's touchscreen himself. Mila's eyelids became heavy. She moved her arms. They sank against her side. With all the strength she had in her, she opened her eyes again. Mila forced herself to stay awake-the conversation wasn't over yet.