Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 52

THE MARCH THROUGH THE WOODS took place in complete silence. Mila walked up to the front as her throat tightened. She'd never led a group of people before the kidnapping, but now she marched as if her life depended on it.

Mila didn't even glance behind her. She simply sped up her pace to get past the shambles that were unfolding. She sighed and pushed a branch out of her face, pressing her lips together. Oliver had said nothing the entire walk-she hated herself for hurting him, but she knew her actions were the only reason they'd gotten this far.

Mila came to a halt five minutes later and placed her backpack on the leaf-covered ground. She turned, faced the group, and smiled-she couldn't deny the tiredness that lingered around her. Mila needed to give the people a moment to rest before continuing to the ravine.

She confirmed her idea and squatted with a simple nod. Mila grabbed her water bottle, gulped the cool drink down, and closed her eyes. The lab did not know how they marched to freedom.

Oliver joined her side as if she wasn't an infected person any longer. "It's still a day."

"We'll get to the ravine in time."

"I'm not sure." Oliver shook his head. "People are exhausted."

"I know."

Mila sighed, stood to her feet, pulled on her backpack, and motioned for people to follow her-she knew people were tired, she was tired, and yet she couldn't afford to give people more time to eat. Every second spent not moving forward was a risk.

Previously, she ran at a slow pace. She was rushing through the densely forested forest, not even looking back. Her breathing became more rapid. Mila bit her lower lip, sighed, and squeezed her eyes shut. She did not know what she was getting herself into. She appeared to be in a nightmare, with no way out.

Mila came to a halt at the river that split the forest in two. She took the card from her pockets, unfolded it quickly, and smoothed it out with her hands. She had to walk a few meters to the right to find the ravine. Mila's stomach clenched. Her intuition told her it wasn't a good idea.

Oliver pointed to the other side. "Across the river?"

"I don't know." Mila shrugged. "I don't think it's safe."

"Unsafe?" Oliver leaned over her. "The map shows only one road. We have no choice."

She lowered her hands. "I feel like I'm leading the group to an ambush."

"The lab doesn't know our plan."

"Are you sure?"

"We didn't feel them in our heads." Oliver took the card. "I'll take care of the next part."

Without waiting for an answer, Oliver walked across the slippery rocks around which the water swirled. Once across the river, he stuck his thumb in the air-soon the group followed suit without a hitch. Finally, Mila was the last across the river. She sighed and cautiously stepped on the slick stones-every step forward told her to turn around and run away from the danger lurking in the woods.

But she did not abandon the group. She made it to the other side of the river, albeit reluctantly. Oliver patted her on the back and motioned for the rest of the group to follow him-Mila was one of the last in line. Her head ached. She hoped to arrive at the ravine within hours and put an end to the dirty play.

The sound of the forest vanished just a few minutes later-the leaves stopped rustling, and the birds stopped singing. Mila quickened her pace, tapped Oliver on the shoulder, and shifted her gaze left and right. This was not promising.

"This place isn't safe for us. We have to return."

Oliver pushed her hand away from him. "No. We're getting close to the ravine. We'll lose a day by running back."