The Mesmerized

by Rhiannon Frater

  “Same here,” Alec said with a nod.

  “But then in the most recent attacks, I didn’t feel the effects other than the cold and that strange sensation like silk thread brushing over me.”

  “Like a spider web.” Alec slightly shivered.

  “Exactly.”

  Jesse finished with Alec’s head injuries, then focused on some small gashes on his shoulder. Minji observed what appeared to be a military tattoo on Alec’s upper arm.

  “So, if you’re truly immune, I wonder what that means?” Alec mused.

  “It means we are lucky she’s around to make sure we don’t crash cars into poles,” Jesse answered. “We’re hoping to leave in the morning and it’s looking like she’s our driver.”

  “Where are you going to go?” Alec slightly winced as Jesse started stitching him up again.

  “East Texas,” Minji answered. “Near the lakes.”

  “That’s a long drive,” Alec said. He wasn’t looking directly at Minji, but she had the impression he was watching her.

  “I can handle it.”

  “Though I might ask for a detour to check on my folks,” Jesse said somberly.

  “Simone and Arthur will probably want the same.” Minji sighed, feeling beleaguered all at once. It was intimidating how so much responsibility was shifting onto her because of her immunity. How could she take care of everyone?

  “Don’t think about it right now,” Alec suggested, clearly reading her expression. It was a little unnerving. Usually only Jake could read her that well. “It’s the middle of the night. Everyone should get rested before major decisions are made.”

  Jesse made brief eye contact with Minji indicating he had also heard the authoritative tone lacing the comment.

  “Why’d you come here?” Minji demanded.

  “To not be alone,” Alec replied simply while watching Jesse tend to the ragged tear on his shoulder. “And for medical assistance.”

  Something about his manner made Minji wonder if his answer was the full truth. Then something occurred to her. “You haven’t asked about Arthur.”

  Alec directed his keen blue eyes at her briefly before resuming his observation of Jesse’s handiwork. “What about him?”

  “You came here because of his phone call, but you haven’t asked about him.”

  Alec bestowed her with a crooked smile. “No, I didn’t. I figured he was asleep along with the other woman you mentioned. Simone? Besides, I needed some serious stitching up, so I’m a little distracted.”

  “He did take a hard blow to the head,” Jesse commented.

  “What branch of the service were you in?” Minji pointed to his arm.

  “Army.” Alec turned his full attention on her. “Retired.”

  “And you didn’t talk to anyone in the Army about what’s happening?”

  “They’re all mesmerized now.”

  “But before they were mesmerized?”

  Alec’s face became expressionless.

  Jesse gave Minji a quizzical look. “He said retired.”

  “I was just wondering if he knew something. That’s all.” Minji shrugged, but she noted Alec had avoided answering her question.

  “Don’t go getting all paranoid like Arthur,” Jesse said with a frown.

  “She’s asking pertinent questions. I’m not offended.”

  Minji met Alec’s stare and something silent passed between them. It was an understanding that there was more to say, but not at the moment. A corner of Alec’s mouth twitched and she had the distinct impression he was pleased.

  Nuzzling Ava’s cheek, Minji listened to the odd noises emerging from her lips. Exhaustion pulled at her eyelids. It was time to sleep. There would be time for questions in the morning. Minji slid off the chair and carried Ava to the door.

  “I better get some rest if we really do plan to leave tomorrow,” she said more to Jesse than the newcomer.

  “I’ll finish up with Alec, get him a bed, then check one last time on everyone before I lay down for a few hours.”

  “Not worried about the fires?” Alec tilted his head to gaze to Minji.

  “The construction site is a natural firebreak. We’re okay for now,” Minji answered.

  With a nod, Alec agreed with her assessment. “I’ll alternate sleeping stints with Jesse to keep an eye out. He looks like he could use some rest.”

  “I really could. Sounds like a plan.” Jesse looked relieved at the idea of a split shift.

  “I’ll see you in the morning,” Minji said before slipping out of the room.

  She could feel Alec’s eyes on her as she departed.

  Minji mulled over everything that had happened since she’d awakened and didn’t like where her conclusions were taking her. Whatever was controlling Ava and the mesmerized had let go of her daughter when it had seen Alec. Maybe it was a coincidence, but she had to consider that it wasn’t. Alec had avoided answering her directly when she’d asked him about being in contact with the military concerning the event. Was it all connected, and if so, what did it mean? Maybe she was getting just as paranoid as Arthur.

  Once inside the room she was sharing with her family, she secured Ava with the child leash, checked on Bailey and Jake, closed the door, and shoved a chair against it. The piece of furniture wouldn’t keep anyone out, but it would make noise if someone tried to come in.

  Yes, she was definitely becoming paranoid, but she supposed it was natural when all the events of the preceding day were taken into account. The world was coming to an end after all. However, she wasn’t willing to give into despair just yet. Ava had woken for a short period of time and she had to cling to the hope that was born in those few wonderful moments.

  She stretched out next to her unconscious husband, mulling over Ava’s words. Was Ava in pain? Or was the other suffering? Which one was actually calling for help? And why did the other seem particularly aware of Minji? Was it her immunity? Or because she was Ava’s mother?

  Sleep eventually stole her away, but her dreams were haunted by Ava’s cries for help.

  Chapter 22

  The air outside the window was a yellowish-gray. What little early morning sunlight managed to break through the thick gray haze illuminated the soot covered wreckage in the boulevard below. Cars, bikes, bodies, and rubble dotted the Las Vegas Strip.

  Minji wondered why Jesse had selected rooms facing the boulevard. The gruesome scene outside was unsettling and only reinforced the notion that this was the end of the world. Of course, if the winds changed directions and the fires started to spread in the direction of the medical center, they’d have ample warning. Nevertheless, it was disconcerting to see the beauty of the strip demolished beneath a sickly colored sky.

  After clothing Ava in her newly washed outfit and putting Bailey in a fresh one from the diaper bag, Minji slipped on her shorts and tank top. Ava stared while Bailey slumped against her father’s side on the bed looking pouty and groggy. Minji tossed the scrubs onto a nearby chair, glad to be in her own clothes again. Her boots were still a little damp, but two layers of socks made them comfortable. Rubbing her arms, she tried to warm herself. There was a chill in the air that she was certain was not from the air conditioner. Plus, a cold shower was not the most satisfying early morning experience, but after washing the girls in warm water the flow had refused to heat again. At least Jake appeared to be sleeping peacefully, but she wondered if his placid exterior was a lie. The nightmares that had ravaged her mind throughout the night had left her feeling unsteady upon awakening.

  After kissing Jake, she ushered the girls down the hallway to the break room. She was almost to the open doors when she heard voices coming from within, one particularly strident.

  “So where is he now?” Arthur demanded.

  “Asleep,” Jesse answered. “He took the last shift. He’ll be up in an hour or so.”

  “But he needs to tell us what’s going on!”

  “He doesn’t know either,” Jesse responded.

  �
��But you said he’s in the military,” Arthur protested.

  Minji took a deep breath to steel her nerves against Arthur’s most recent tirade and entered the room. Simone glanced up from her breakfast of scrambled eggs and gestured toward Arthur with her eyes before rolling them upward. Jesse was at one end of the table while Arthur sat across from him at the other. Minji deliberated if they were both vying to be the head of the table. Dressed in clean scrubs, Arthur provided her a dour look.

  “Still immune?”

  “Still an asshole?”

  Stabbing at his eggs, Arthur glowered in her direction.

  “Arthur, you agreed—” Simone started.

  “What are you going to do?” Arthur cut in. “Knock me out again?”

  Minji could feel Arthur’s eyes on her as she scooted out a chair and sat Ava in it before taking one herself.

  “It was a lot more peaceful, that’s for damn sure,” Jesse muttered. There were dark circles under his eyes and his braid was a little ragged.

  “Why am I the only one asking the important questions?” Arthur sat back in his chair and regarded his companions with disbelief. “Why is she immune? Completely immune?”

  Bailey bestowed Arthur with a non-too-subtle stink-eye as Minji handed her the fresh bottle Jesse had prepared. The baby popped the nipple into her mouth, but kept her dark look squarely on Arthur.

  “How do you know she is?”

  The people at the table started and glanced toward the doorway. Alec entered the room, yawning loudly and rubbing his neck with one hand. Leaning heavily on a black cane, he limped to the table and settled into the chair between Minji and Jesse.

  “Well, she moved away from us while we were affected, so she appeared to vanish from our point of view when we came to.” Simone sipped her coffee, scrutinizing Alec over the rim. “I’m Simone Avery. And you are?”

  “Alec Markham. You can call me Alec. As for your observation, perhaps she just came out of it faster.” Alec served himself a large heap of eggs. “Did you think of that?”

  “No, I did not.” Simone primly set her cup aside, the thunk of it settling on the table a little too loud.

  Annoyed by the tension in the room, Minji helped herself to some toast and eggs and resolved to keep quiet for the time being. If she ascertained exactly everyone’s viewpoint on their circumstances, she could formulate a response. The group could bicker all they wanted, but in the end it was Minji who had the most weight of responsibility on her shoulders. Should another attack happen during their evacuation, she was the only one who could make sure the group remained safe. In spite of what Alec said, she had no doubts she was fully immune. Beyond that truth, she was certain that something was watching her through Ava’s eyes. How she was going to actually communicate with that entity and convince it to let go of Ava and the others wasn’t clear, but Minji was determined to find a solution.

  “I’m Arthur Freestone, by the way. I’m glad someone responded to my call for help.”

  Alec started to eat and didn’t answer.

  “You did come here to help us, right?” Simone’s words were hesitant, almost as if she was afraid to hear the answer.

  “I came for medical attention,” Alec responded. “I had an accident. I knew about this place because of Arthur’s call to the news, so I walked here after I extracted myself from the car. Once I got to The Strip, I looked for a medical building with the lights still on.”

  “But you know where to take us, right? Where we’ll be safe? Where they are working on a cure?” Arthur’s words rushed out, rising in pitch.

  Alec shook his head.

  “How can you not know? You’re in the military!” Arthur incredulously stared at Alec.

  “I’m a retired staff sergeant. My leg was shattered in Iraq and I spent the rest of my service as a recruiter for the Army. Why do you think I’d have the lowdown on what’s going on?” Alec wore an amused smile upon his lips.

  “Because you’d call in as soon as you realized you were immune,” Minji answered. “And they would have reactivated you and given you orders.”

  Setting an elbow on the table, Alec swiveled toward Minji to gaze at her with surprise. “Why’d you think that?”

  “My brother was in the Air Force.”

  “In North Korea?” Arthur gave her a pointed glare.

  “In the United States Air Force, asshole.”

  “Americans do come in every color, Arthur,” Simone snapped. “I’m getting tired of your racist bullshit.”

  “I have great sympathy for your people having been slaves and all,” Arthur protested. “I’m not racist!”

  “My family emigrated from Somalia in the sixties,” Simone replied.

  “Oh, well, I meant—”

  “My husband’s family was brought as slaves to this country, but my point is that we’re all Americans. Minji told you already that her family has been here several generations, so what the hell is your problem?”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Minji saw a subtle smile on Alec’s lips.

  “Why is she the only one who’s immune?” Arthur’s voice was almost a screech.

  “Maybe it’s all the tattoos. Wait, no. I got some of those, too,” Alec answered, pretending to look befuddled. “Oh! Maybe all the piercings. Wait, no. Simone and Jesse have a few piercings, too. Could be the dreads? Or the purple dye? Or maybe it’s the black clothing? Or maybe it’s because she has two precious little girls with her? Why assume it’s her race?”

  Something in Alec’s response sparked a fresh thought in Minji’s mind. Glancing at Ava and Bailey, she wondered if maybe her immunity and the being’s interest in Minji herself was truly that simple. Bailey gurgled and slapped her bottle against the top of the table. Cooing the nonsense language of babies, she gave Minji a sweet look.

  “Could you shut her up? We’re trying to have a discussion here!” Arthur said, having the audacity to glower at Bailey.

  Simone crossed her arms over her breasts and regarded Arthur with contempt. “She’s just expressing herself, Arthur. It’s how babies learn to talk. Calm down.”

  “Everyone is ignoring the big picture here, Simone! She’s fully immune and we’re not! Why?”

  “We don’t know if she’s fully immune. Maybe she’s just waking up faster than the rest of us.” Alec nibbled some wheat toast, his blue eyes hard as stone as he regarded Arthur.

  “Then maybe we should film her or something.” Arthur shoved his plate away, folded his arms, and scowled at each person at the table in turn.

  “It’s already been recorded. On the security cameras.” Jesse pointed at one in the corner of the room with his fork.

  All eyes turned to the small white camera.

  “I’d like to check that out,” Alec said after a beat. “We should actually confirm if she’s immune or not.”

  “I’ll show you the security room. It’s on the second floor. But we do need to move soon. The wind is still blowing away from us, but there are more buildings on fire this morning.” Jesse rubbed his bleary eyes and sighed. “We should start making plans to evacuate.”

  “There’s a shuttle bus a block from here that’s parked on the side of the road. The keys are in the ignition and it’s empty. The driver may have made a run for it,” Alec said. “I suggest packing food and water. Also, find containers you can fill with gasoline. You’ll have to drive through the desert so the first operational gas station you find, you need to top off the tank and get reserves.”

  “You sound like you’re not coming with us,” Simone said pensively.

  “I’m not.” Alec finished eating, picked up his plate, and turned his attention to Jesse. “Can you show me that security room now?”

  “If you’re not coming with us, where are you going?” Arthur demanded, his suspicion clear.

  “I’m going to follow the...mesmerized. I want to see where they are going. Maybe the answer to all of this is at their destination.” Alec hobbled to the sink and rinsed off his plate.
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br />   “How do you know they’re all going in the same direction?” Jesse asked.

  “The news. People on the West Coast started walking east. The people on the East Coast started walking west. People in the south, started walking north. Before all the networks went off the air last night, speculation was that everyone is heading to the same spot.” Alec leaned back against the sink and rubbed his hands together. “So I plan to find a way to join the horde and find out where they’re going.”

  Silence followed this proclamation and worried looks were exchanged among the four people remaining at the table, but no one said anything. Minji popped the lid off the bottle of the protein shake Jesse had set on the table for Ava. She wasn’t about to speak up until she had time to formulate what course of action she was going to follow. Simone, Jesse, and Arthur fully expected for her to drive them out of the city and seek out their family members, but Minji was starting to have serious second thoughts.

  Ava’s eyes shifted toward Alec for an instant then back to Minji. The other was watching the former military man. Did that mean Alec was right? Was the answer to all that was occurring at the destination of the mesmerized?

  “I’ll have to prepare all my patients for transport,” Jesse said.

  “Why are we taking them?” Arthur snorted. “What’s the point?”

  Jesse narrowed his eyes on the man across the table from him. “What if they were your family?” “But they’re not.” Arthur shrugged.

  “How long can you keep them alive?” Alec asked. “How long will you let them be a burden?”

  Unlike Arthur’s comment, Alec sounded genuinely curious and not condemning.

  “Until I can’t anymore,” Jesse answered wearily.

  “Thank you,” Minji said, resting her hand on Jesse’s arm. “I appreciate what you’re doing for Jake.”

  With a slight smile, Jesse pressed her fingers with his own before pushing back his chair and reaching for the white doctor’s coat looped on the back of his chair.

  “Don’t,” Alec said sharply, hesitating near the door.

  “It’s cold in here.” Giving the other man a quizzical look, he started to lift the thin coat.