Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 53

The cabinet door hinges squeaked open. Mila looked around, a smile on her lips as she realized she was back in the lab. She checked quickly to see if anyone else had awoken. She only had one mission right now, and that was to take over the lab.

Mila put her index finger in front of her mouth to make them shut up when she noticed other people had opened their eyes as well. Her people understood when she pointed to the patches on the sides of their heads. They removed the patches. Mila estimated that at least ten people had awakened; she needed ten more to take over the lab.

Mila breathed in and out with a deep sigh. She tapped her foot on the floor, checked to see if Oliver was awake, and then looked for Stephen to help them out of the mess. A minute later, she looked her adversary in the eyes, her heart pounding in her throat. Mila did not know how other people would react to Stephen's presence, but she didn't have a choice but to trust him now.

"May we speak?" Stephen inquired.

"We need to take over," Mila said. "We don't have time to talk. I now have fifteen people."

Stephen exhaled a sigh. "They are aware of our plan."

"How?"

"Oliver struck a deal."

"I don't think I believe you."

"We will not make it."

Mila sighed and rolled her eyes. She ignored Stephen and concentrated on the people who were awake now-it had to be enough to keep them alive. She pounded on the tube without even saying anything. People followed her lead.

The people who worked in the lab had their mouths open-they pushed buttons, but when it didn't work, they stood to their feet and marched to the tubes. One now stood in front of Mila, frowning and pointing to the patches.

"Pin them to your temple."

"I won't."

"We're here to keep you safe."

"Right." Mila sighed. "You've made our lives hell."

"If the leader notices the mess, he will turn off the oxygen."

"Please let us out. Allow us to take over. All we want is our lives back."

"I apologize."

Mila pounded on the tube even louder within a second. She didn't want to give up now that she'd come this far. As she collided with the tube, her throat thickened. Instead of returning to the forest, she preferred to give her life.

"Please let us out!"

The crowd chanted. Mila screamed as well-the lab had suppressed them for far too long. It was now time to make a statement. The people working in the lab did not know what to do; they just looked at each other, hoping that someone else knew.

The door slid open a split second later, and the director walked in. He frowned, walked over to the computer, and pressed a button. When he noticed the people weren't falling asleep, he approached Mila with his arms crossed across his chest.

"I forewarned you."

"We aren't testing subjects."

"It's all for a good cause."

Mila spat on the tube. "Please let us out. We won't accept staying under the control of the forest. We desire our families."

"Your family abandoned you." He looked around at the others. "They all sacrificed you for the sake of our country."

"I don't believe you."

"Display the contracts."

Mila's lungs constricted and she couldn't breathe as a contract with her mother's signature appeared on the screen in front of her. This was all a game; her parents would never abandon her. Mila blinked and turned to face the leader.