After that day, Mike couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about James's words.
"We will leave this place."
Mike had been born a slave. He didn't know what freedom meant. He didn't know what it felt like to be free. Of course, James had told him a few things, but he had never imagined himself outside this place.
But he also kept thinking about what 175 had said.
"They will control us and do whatever they want with us."
But they were already doing that.
175's words didn't make sense, because all of that was already happening.
Mike sighed as he put down a box, but he froze when he saw the guard making the usual sign. Today was the day he would clean the supervisor's office.
He swallowed nervously and followed the guard. When they arrived, the guard opened the door and let him walk inside.
"I'll be back in an hour. You better be finished by then."
Mike didn't speak. He just nodded and started cleaning.
<
That was what he thought.
But his eyes were automatically searching for something red inside the office.
"I'm not stupid… I'm not stupid."
He knew what would happen if they caught him, but that feeling of hope for freedom was stronger.
Mike threw the broom aside and began searching the drawers, the papers. He searched everywhere.
Then he walked to the bookshelf attached to the wall.
Somewhere there—
He found it.
He wanted to shout with joy, but he didn't. He kept it inside.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of the door.
Quickly, he hid the folder under his clothes.
When the guard entered the office, he found Mike cleaning as if nothing had happened.