The Mesmerized

“It’s better that she goes rather than me,” Arthur said, gesturing toward Minji, “since she’s immune.”

Minji rolled her eyes, but didn’t argue. Alec had devised the perfect plan to separate them from the others so they could have their talk. Sadly, it entailed her leaving her daughters to accompany him on a quest to retrieve transportation and fuel. It pained her to admit that it was best if they spoke away from Ava and the entity watching and listening through her eyes and ears.

“You’re a coward,” Jesse said to Arthur with contempt. When Alec had pitched his revised idea for acquiring transportation, Jesse had immediately offered that Arthur join Alec in Minji’s place, but Arthur had

instantly shot down the idea.

“Maybe I’m just good at self-preservation. Plus, you need me to help you get your precious patients wheeled out and ready to go. Which is a complete waste of time and resources.” The fear inside Arthur was slowly festering into belligerence. His tone was always hostile now.

“I should go then,” Jesse said to Alec. “You’re wounded and Minji has kids.”

“I can manage, Jesse,” Alec answered. “Plus, you need to pack up the medical supplies since you know where all the items are that we need to take with you. Have Arthur help you. Simone can watch the kids for Minji. If that’s okay with you, Simone?”

“I’m fine with taking care of the girls,” Simone said after a hesitant pause. Her dark eyes rested on Ava for a second, then returned to Bailey. Minji speculated that Simone deduced that something was watching them through Ava’s eyes. “They’re not a problem. Minji should go.”

“We’ll be back as soon as we can.” Alec glanced at Minji. “Besides, she’s technically my ride.”

“Biker chick to the rescue.” Minji gave him a wry smile, then squatted before Ava, her fingers resting on the child’s waist. “I’m going with Alec to get us a ride out of Las Vegas. I will come back. I will take care of you.” She pondered if the other understood and hoped Ava could hear her. Pressing a kiss to Ava’s cheek, she experienced an unexpected throb of repulsion that surprised and saddened her. Again, she was reluctant to acknowledge her growing fear of the thing inside Ava.

“I’ll keep her leash tied to my chair so she can’t wander off,” Simone promised when Minji rose and approached with Ava in tow.

“We should just sedate her, since that’s what we appear to do around here with problem people,” Arthur grumbled.

Jesse grimaced, but said nothing.

Bailey struggled to cling to her mother when Minji gave her a tender kiss on the forehead. It broke Minji’s heart in a million pieces when she had to pry the small fingers from her dreads. She lovingly kissed the chubby digits. “Mommy will be right back, Bailey.”

The baby fretted in Simone’s arms, which made it even more difficult for Minji to return to Alec’s side.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do while you’re gone,” Jesse said. “Be careful out there, okay? And are you sure you can handle my motorcycle?”

Holding out her hand for the keys, Minji plastered a confident smile on her face. She could definitely ride the bike, but she was worried about the condition of the boulevard. Jesse already looked anxious enough about their foray outside that she opted not to share her trepidation with him. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

Reluctantly, Jesse handed over the keys. “Just be careful.”

Closing her fingers over the cold metal, Minji nodded. “You got it.”

“Just try not to ding it. Though I guess I’ll have to leave it behind anyway.”

This elicited a snort from Arthur. “The world is falling apart and you’re worried about a motorcycle.”

Jerking his head about, Jesse bestowed Arthur with a disdainful look.

Before Jesse could say something in retaliation, Alec hurriedly said, “It’ll be faster than going on foot. Thanks for letting us take it. We should go and y’all should get things packed and ready.”

Minji gave everyone a forced smile and a little wave before following Alec into the hallway. Bailey let out a slobbery wail, which made it even more difficult to keep walking toward the waiting room. Squaring her shoulders and tugging on a fresh face mask, Minji fought the desire to run back to kiss the girls and Jake one last time. She’d spent most of the last day fiercely protecting her family and it was disconcerting to leave them behind. She knew she was doing the right thing even though she was afraid. With the fires burning on the south side of the boulevard, they had to leave the city soon. The most exciting part of their foray in Minji’s mind was that Alec had important information about the event he didn’t want to disclose to the others.

The air outside was acrid with the stench of smoke, decaying flesh, and burning materials. Thick clouds of smoke drifted overhead, obscuring the sun and limiting visibility. Jesse’s bike was parked on the sidewalk covered in a thick layer of ash and grime. Alec brushed off most of it with the back of his hand while Minji waited and scrutinized the apocalyptic landscape around them. The boulevard didn’t resemble its former self at all. Most of the famous Las Vegas landmarks were swathed in a thick layer of smoke and blackened remains of buildings poked through like skeletal hands through a shroud.

Minji shivered from the cold and fear. “Where’s the shuttle again?”

“We need to go to The Venetian,” Alec replied.

Minji started at the mention of the resort. She hadn’t told Alec about what she had experienced the day before, or where she’d been staying when the first attack came. Warily, she asked, “Is that where the shuttle is located?”

“No, that’s where I need to go. Where I’m being sent.” Alec cocked his head, studying her expression. “Minji, I need your help. You did agree.”

“So you’re going to tell me the truth, right?”