Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 26

THE CHIP RESTED on the table while Thomas and Mila stared at it. During her city days, she hadn't seen such a piece before. Mila couldn't believe she was finally able to leave the horrors of the forest. As she picked the chip up, Thomas rested his elbows on the table.

"We have to figure out what the chip means," Mila said.

"Agreed. I haven't seen such a thing before."

Mila had seen nothing like it in her life, either. It even seemed as if she was destined to find the chip to lead the camp away from the horrors. Sighing, she stared at the small device in her hand.

Turning around, she inspected the room. "Don't you have any readers here?"

Thomas chuckled. "We don't live in a palace. We don't have any sophisticated equipment."

"What about Stephen?"

She knew she couldn't expect to return to Stephen, but perhaps he had the material that could mean their freedom. Mila reached into her pockets after putting the chip on the table.

"No way." Thomas shook his head. "That man is deranged."

Lowering her head, she said, "I know. But he may be our only chance."

"We'll fix it ourselves."

Leaving no room for further conversation about Stephen, Thomas grabbed the chip and turned the little device with his back to him. Frowning, he narrowed his eyes, stepped over to the closet, and pulled open the left drawer.

"I think there's something on it."

Mila ran to him. "Where?"

He pointed to the small letters.

She stared at the letters Thomas had pointed at with a concentrated look. She, however, couldn't make out what was written, even a person with perfect vision couldn't decipher the letters.

"I couldn't believe my ears at first." Oliver entered the room. "When my guard told me I had ordered Mila to scout the grounds. I thought, 'why don't I check HQ?'"

His expression was blank. Oliver had his arms crossed as he observed both Mila and Thomas. Slowly but surely, a scowl appeared, his foot tapping the floor.

"You didn't listen when I refused to let you out. Again."

Thomas showed him the chip. "We found it."

"It was too high a risk. Wolves still linger around."

Mila shrugged. "They didn't attack us, did they?"

"She's got a point, mate." Thomas patted him on the back. "We finally have a lead."

With a sigh, Oliver plopped down in the chair. He looked tired, the gaze in his eyes empty from the last days. Of the fights he'd given. During her obsession with the chip, Mila almost forgot that he was still recovering from his injuries.

Squatting down, she said, "Sorry. I just want to find a way to escape. I no longer thought about you."

Oliver looked at her for a second. "I wish you trusted me. And you too, Thomas."

"I trust you." Thomas rolled his eyes. "Mila and I want to see our families."

"I had a plan. You didn't even listen."

Thomas cracked his fingers. "Your plan doesn't matter much now. We got the chip."

"I'll let others look at it."

Before Oliver could even take the small piece, Mila had clutched it tightly. "No. Thomas and I have come this far now. We'll investigate it ourselves."

"I agree with Mila. We already had a clue until you bothered us." Thomas stretched out his hand. "I have a magnifying glass."