The Mesmerized

Simone met Minji’s imploring stare with a stony one, then exhaled explosively. “Fine! How long before I leave?”

“Twenty-four hours,” Alec answered.

“Okay. Twenty-four hours, but you’ll be back before then. Or I will be very unhappy with both of you.” Simone gave them a withering stare that actually elicited smiles from both of them. “I’m not joking.”

“You’re good people, Simone.” Alec gave her a gentle hug which she immediately returned.

She clung to Alec. “Please don’t leave me alone for long,” She said, her voice cracking.

“We won’t.”

The man’s answer made Minji bristle. She didn’t like him lying to Simone, even though Minji held onto the hope that they would be successful. If someone made a promise, Minji fully expected them to fulfill it. How could Alec promise something he couldn’t be sure of?

The one vow she’d made to her family was that she would do her best to save them, and she would fulfill it. But there was one vow she had yet to make and it was the most important. As a mother the mere thought of Ava and Bailey lost in another world among completely alien creatures was unbearable. In spite of the destruction brought on the world, her heart broke for the two creatures torn apart.

Crouching before Ava, Minji stared into the glassy gaze and projected as clearly as she could the compassion in her heart. “We’re going to try to save you. We’re going to where they have you trapped so we can send you home. Alec and I want to save you.”

A blank look was her only response.

Inspiration hit and Minji unzipped Ava’s Mulan backpack and withdrew several dolls. Holding up the Mulan doll, she said, “Mommy,” and pointed to herself. Picking up the Tiana doll, she started to speak, but Ava immediately pointed to Simone.

“Did she just...?” Simone had retrieved Bailey from the child seat and stood over the mother and daughter observing the interaction.

“She recognizes you as an individual. That’s good.” Alec sat across from Minji and Ava and leaned toward the little girl. “Which one is me?” He indicated himself with his thumb.

Ava pointed at a male prince.

“Damn.” Simone’s eyes widened.

Excitement flooding her, Minji set the rest of the dolls on her lap. “Which one is Ava?”

Ava’s eyes barely flicked to the dolls, but the finger pointed at Merida.

Minji grouped the Merida and Mulan doll together. “You have a mommy like Ava has a mommy.” Waving to the remaining dolls, she asked “Which one is your mommy?” Which doll would the entity choose to represent its mother?

The little digit wavered, then pointed out the window toward the stars.

An icy chill flowed along Minji’s spine and she shook off her unease. Picking up the three dolls the entity had selected, Minji made a little pantomime of the dolls walking to the window. “We’re going to take you home. To your mommy.”

Ava’s arm fell back to her side, but she stared at the three dolls, her head tilted.

Minji picked up Tiana and the small Asian baby doll that Ava loved to carry around. “Simone is going to take care of Bailey here. Okay?”

“I’ll take good care of the baby,” Simone added.

Ava’s eyes moved between the dolls and Simone.

“Amazing. I think it’s really starting to understand us,” Alec chuckled. “Unbelievable.”

Minji started to return the dolls to the backpack, but Ava’s hands stopped her. The little girl clutched the baby doll and Tiana in her hands.

“What does that mean?” Simone asked worriedly.

Solemnly, Ava handed the dolls to Bailey. The baby snatched them up and immediately shoved the doll foot in her mouth.

“I believe that means it understands,” Minji answered, zipping up the backpack.

“Excellent,” Simone said, relieved.