Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 54

Mila stepped through the door and looked around for her mother, her heart pounding in her throat. She took a step forward. Her mother stood on the other side of the room, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her jacket. Mila marched to the one person she could always rely on-or so she thought.

"Mother."

Her mother spun around in an instant. "Mila." She drew her in for a hug. "I wasn't sure if you were still alive."

Mila pushed herself to the side. "Is father death?"

"Yes." Her gaze was fixed on the ground. "I apologize. I-"

"Did you both sell me out? Accepted the deal to put me in a simulation?"

"You must comprehend."

"I don't."

Mila took a step back, unable to believe what she was hearing. Thomas had made a valid point for once, and she did not know how to handle the news. Mila leaned against the wall, her knees pressing against her chest as her lungs constricted. Her family had given up on her despite everything she had done for them.

"I'm sorry," Mila's mother said again as she rested her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "We had little a choice."

"You're always going to have one," Mila retorted. "I've been to hell and back."

Her mother said nothing; she simply shifted from one foot to the other. Mila stood up and walked to the other side of the room without looking back. She tapped Thomas on the shoulder before her mother could interrupt the conversation.

"What's the alternative?" Mila inquired. "What happens when we don't agree?"

Thomas showed the chair. "My father created the simulation to find the best army. We intend to destabilize the government. Stop their cruelty."

"How?" Oliver entered the discussion. "Returning us to the forest?"

"No. We'll run simulations to see who the best of the best are."

"What happens when people refuse? Or who isn't an elite?"

"We'll take their families to a safe location. Your mother and grandmother will also remain there."

Mila blinked-she didn't want to live with her mother; she needed space to keep her anger in check. Mila peered over her shoulder as she bit her lip, and her mother smiled.

"Fine."

Oliver pressed down on her extended hand. "Don't be in a hurry. We don't have all the facts."

His gaze remained fixed on Thomas' face. Thomas sighed and took a small tablet from his jacket pocket, turning the screen towards Mila and Oliver. He pressed a few buttons, and Mila's photo appeared on the screen in seconds, followed by incomprehensible information.

"This is the data we gathered in the forest." Thomas activated the screen. "No one has ever faced the prospect of death."

"Where has Elody gone? She died after falling from a bridge."

"We took her to a safe place."

"Amy? Stephen?"

"They took part in the next round."

Oliver swallowed and cleared his throat. "You allow people to transfer and others to take part. How do you make your decision?"

"The knowledge. Elody lacked the strength. She passed away-"

"You created the gust of wind. It wasn't typical."

"You persisted. Every twist was calculated so that only the best survived."