The Mesmerized

by Rhiannon Frater

  “Agreed. Let’s go.” Simone forced the stretcher into motion. “I don’t want to be out in the open if this is going to get any worse than it already is.”

  Tugging on Ava’s hand, Minji hurried behind Simone past the tangle of cars to a more open part of the northbound side the boulevard. Both sides straddling the median were heavily congested with traffic heading southward. It was evident from the many police cruisers that all lanes had been redirected away from the event.

  Continuing toward the tall free-standing tower at the end of the Las Vegas Strip, the three people lapsed into a disquieting silence. Whenever one side of the boulevard became too difficult to traverse, they’d find an opening in the median and cross to the other side. Weaving back and forth, they trudged toward the Stratosphere. The white and faded pink big top of Circus Circus loomed just ahead. Through the gray haze, the neon sign for the casino with its creepy clown glowed menacingly. There was a lot of construction underway in the area before Circus Circus. The older casinos were giving way to new, swankier structures.

  “I hate clowns,” Minji said, nodding to the circus-themed casino.

  “But it’s a good sign that we’re almost to the Stratosphere. You said the medical center is close to it, right?” Simone stumbled in her high heels, caught herself, and took a second to shove her foot back into the shoe. “By the time we get there, I’m going to need medical attention for these blisters.”

  Not only were Minji’s feet aching and feeling bruised in her wet boots and socks, her back hurt from the backpack. Watching the mesmerized stumbling along the boulevard, she found it difficult to feel sorry for herself. At least she still had control of her faculties. It hurt to see Jake and Ava under the control of the event, but at least they were alive. How many were dead? How many were dying? These thoughts she kept to herself. It was easy to do. Simone and Arthur were very quiet on their long hike past construction sites, and buildings with flashy neon lights glowing on the glass facades.

  The Stratosphere loomed ahead, barely visible through the murky air. With relief, Minji spotted the white brick emergency care center with large teal glass windows. An ambulance had struck the exterior wall, but was now abandoned.

  “There,” Minji said, pointing.

  Stark lettering read, “Boulevard Emergency Care.” There was a portico on one side for ambulance arrivals and a parking garage tucked behind the structure. The entire building had the aura of new construction from its freshly planted flora and fauna in triangular shaped flowerbeds outside the front door and the “Now Serving Your Medical Needs” neon sign flashing on the corner facing the road. Minji supposed it was impossible to escape the lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

  “It’s about damn time,” Arthur muttered, guiding the stretcher around the median.

  A car was smashed into the palm trees adorning the divider and the person within appeared to be dead or unconscious.

  Looking back where they had come from, Minji shuddered. The thickening smoke was the malignant threat of a growing fire.

  Near the entrance, there were I.V.’s and other medical equipment strewn about like refuse. Minji wondered if they had been abandoned by mesmerized patients when they had escaped the building.

  “Please open,” Arthur whispered as they neared the doors.

  “Why wouldn’t they? The electricity is still on.” “Oh,” Arthur said, but he was visibly relieved when the thick glass doors slid open at their approach.

  Minji followed her two companions and the stretcher into the building and out of the human misery and smoke filling the boulevard.

  Chapter 15

  The wind outside had been cool, but the air inside the building was frigid. When the doors whooshed shut behind them, the three people yanked off their facemasks. Minji dragged a deep breath into her lungs. The clean air was wonderful.

  The large, empty white waiting room stretched across the front of the building decorated in black leather and stainless steel furniture. It was deceptively normal in appearance except for the body of a doctor lying face down in a pool of blood near double doors that most likely opened to the examination rooms. The receptionist area, tucked behind the thick glass panels rising from a black marble counter, was abandoned. In one corner of the room, a large screen television jabbered away. The world outside was tinted aqua by the enormous glass windows, and Minji wondered at the design. It was almost as if the people in the waiting room were part of the spectacle of the drag.

  Simone tossed the diaper bag onto one of the coffee tables before attempting to open the door to the receptionist area. It was locked. Checking the double doors on the far side of the room, she quickly shut them. “There’s a lot of dead bodies,” she warned.

  “Like out there,” Arthur said, pointing at the front of the building.

  “No, there’s a lot of blood. It looks like they bled to death,” Simone replied.

  “Is there a phone?” Minji asked. Earlier, she’d been so rattled it hadn’t occurred to her to attempt to use the landlines at The Venetian when her cellphone hadn’t worked.

  Simone glanced into the receptionist area. “They have several in there, but the door is locked. I guess I’ll check…” She glanced over her shoulder at the doors that led to the bloody corridor. “Well, I guess I don’t have a choice.”

  “You do that and I’ll check the news,” Arthur said, eyes already fastened to the television.

  Simone glowered at the man before disappearing through the doorway.

  Minji leaned over Jake and gently removed the facemask. His eyes followed her and a low hiss escaped his lips. She touched his head, worried his warmth was a sign of a fever. Stroking his cheek gently, she whispered, “Jake, if you can understand me, we’re at the medical center now. After I take care of Bailey, I’m going to see if anyone is here to help you.” She gazed into his eyes, searching for his soul, his life spark, but came up empty.

  With a sigh, she strode over to one of the couches, drawing Ava after her. Though the little girl was clearly under the influence of the event, she had stopped trying to follow the other mesmerized. Minji decided to experiment and set Ava on the black leather seat. The little girl stared at her, her lips flexing, but didn’t try to scoot off. Relieved, Minji sat next to her and carefully freed herself of the backpack. Bailey was deeply asleep inside the contraption. Drool had left a large wet spot on the face mask and Minji tossed it aside. Cradling Bailey in her arms, she allowed herself the luxury of sinking into the softness of the couch.

  “Landlines are dead,” Simone announced striding into the waiting room. “I couldn’t even get a dial tone. I tried getting onto a computer, but they’re password protected.”

  Arthur raised his head. “At least we have the television. That’s a good sign, right?”

  Simone shrugged. She was obviously peeved with Arthur.

  Minji bent over to retrieve the diaper bag from where Simone had discarded it. She was so tired, emotionally drained, and confused that it was difficult to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. For the moment, her baby needed to be the priority.

  Bailey hardly roused as Minji changed her sodden diaper and for a moment of panic, the young mother feared the baby had fallen victim to the event. Relief came in a great flood when Bailey yawned, gave her mother a slight smile, and sank back into her slumber.

  The other two adults in the room weren’t paying attention to anything other than the news report and didn’t seem inclined to help her search or help with the kids. Simone perched on the wide armrest of a chair while Arthur stood with his arms crossed over his chest, both staring avidly at the television.

  Ava continued to watch Minji, her mouth always in flux, but never uttering a discernible word. Tucking Bailey onto her lap, Minji leaned her head back against the leather and focused on the television. She just needed a minute or two to rest before searching the medical center to see if any of the staff had survived. Her head was pounding and her feet felt like they were about to fall off.r />
  “...difficult to ascertain what areas of the country have been affected so far due to the complete information blackout that occurs...”

  The words said by the newscaster gradually sank through the layers of dismal emotions clouding Minji’s thoughts.

  “What we know at the moment...at least six commercial passenger jets circling the Las Vegas airport crashed before all others were diverted away. Commercial air flights have been grounded, though more crashes were reported before most of the West Coast went dark...”

  Simone sighed. “Thank God my plane landed before all this hit.”

  Minji thought of the Nordims and hoped their plane had landed safely in an unaffected area. Maybe her parents had heard about the event and pulled the car over. The thought of her folks mesmerized and trapped in their car was too horrible to contemplate.

  Bailey woke again and frowned at her mother. “Baba,” she commanded, using her word for food.

  Minji fumbled around in the bag for the bottle they had packed earlier. She liberated it from the bottom of the bag and set about feeding her child. Half-listening to the news reports, the terror inside Minji swelled into a dark tidal wave. There were no apparent answers to what was happening and the hopelessness she’d been fighting against since the event had started was close to winning the battle.

  “Do you see that?” Arthur asked aloud.

  Minji wasn’t sure who he was speaking to until he turned and glared at her.

  “More than half of the United States is affected! And you’re just sitting there acting like it’s nothing!”

  “I’m feeding my baby, Arthur,” Minji snapped.

  “Do you even see that?” He motioned to the television screen and the map showing the reported affected areas. “My family is in danger right now!”

  “What does that have to do with her?” Simone asked sharply. “Why are you getting in her face?”

  “Because she’s acting like she doesn’t care!” Arthur snapped. “I guess those Asian stereotypes exist for a reason.”

  “Hey!” the two women chorused.

  “You’re so unemotional!” Arthur continued.

  Bailey glared at him over her bottle.

  “I am taking care of my baby,” Minji said in a low voice trying not to upset Bailey.

  “What about him? Not going to help him?” Arthur pointed at Jake. “I guess fathers are just expendable, huh?”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” Minji gaped at him in disbelief.

  Simone stood and stepped between Arthur and Minji, disrupting their stare down. “You need to calm yourself. She’s taking care of her child. You and I could’ve easily looked for someone to help her husband, but we didn’t, right?” Simone gave Minji an apologetic look over one shoulder. “Sorry about that.”

  “Well, maybe it’s because we want to actually find out what’s happening to the rest of the world and our families!”

  Minji lowered her head as she recognized what was happening. Arthur was upset over not being able to help his family and directing that frustration at her. Minji’s family was with her and possibly savable. Where was Arthur’s? Were they safe? She could understand his distress, but she didn’t want to be the brunt of it. Wearily, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips against Bailey’s soft hair.

  “Leave her alone, Arthur!”

  “Did she even ask you about your family? Or mine? We’re stuck here and they’re back home and who knows what’s happening to them? My ex-wife and kids need me and I’m not there!”

  “Fine. We get it,” a male voice said, startling them all. “The whole world is falling apart, but you’re not the only one hurting.”

  Twisting around, Minji saw a young man with the features and coloring of the Native American tribes living in the area. His dark hair was skimmed from his face and into a tight braid that was looped over one shoulder. Clad in jeans, a brown t-shirt under a weather-beaten leather jacket, and motorcycle boots, he held a helmet in one hand and a leather backpack in the other.

  Arthur fell silent in surprise.

  “I see I’m not the only one still walking and talking. That’s a good sign,” the man continued. Tossing the helmet and backpack onto a chair, he swiftly walked over to Jake. “This poor fellow isn’t, I see.”

  “That’s my husband,” Minji said.

  “And you are?” The man looked at them with keen black eyes.

  “First tell us who you are,” Simone shot back, clearly unnerved by the man’s rougher appearance.

  “Jesse Martin,” came the answer. “I’m a nurse practitioner and I work here.”

  “I’m Minji, Jesse. I am so glad to see you.” Tears filled her eyes, obscuring her view of the man carefully examining her husband.

  “You weren’t here when we got here,” Arthur blurted out.

  “No, I wasn’t. I was at home, asleep, on my day off, then I heard a sound that made me think the world was coming to an end. I walked outside and there was a plane sitting where the elementary school used to be. Well, parts of the plane. And then I saw them...” Jesse stared outside for a moment. “I tried calling my family, my girlfriend, friends, and work. I couldn’t get through on my landline or my cellphone. The plane took out all the utility poles in my neighborhood, so I couldn’t check the television.” Jesse continued his examination of Jake. Minji was relieved to see how gentle his touch was as he studied Jake’s legs. Casting a look past them, he said, “Now I’m glad I didn’t get any television reception. I would have been tempted to stay home.”

  Simultaneously, they all glanced toward the big screen and the death and destruction it revealed.

  Arthur pointed at Jesse accusingly. “It’s your job to help people.”

  “Exactly. That’s why I got on my bike and came into work even though I was scared shitless. Seriously, I was starting to wonder if anyone was like me.”

  “Immune?” Simone asked.

  “Yeah.” Jesse hesitated. “Were you here on the strip when it happened?”

  Simone relayed their story while Jesse listened, the furrow between his dark eyebrows deepening.

  “Well, help me get Jake into the examination room. I’ll do my best for him. I also need to check on our other patients.”

  “What’s it like?” Arthur ventured to ask. “Out there? Past the strip?”

  Minji raised her eyes in time to see Jesse cringe. Rubbing the back of his neck with one leather-gloved hand, Jesse took a deep breath. “Honestly, it’s like the end of the world. Bad. Really bad. And it’s going to get worse.”

  “Why?” Simone took a step toward him. “Why would you say that?”

  “Because every person in Las Vegas is walking into the desert. And they’re going to die out there.”

  Chapter 16

  Minji held the water bottle to Ava’s lips. “Drink, Ava.”

  The little girl didn’t respond, lips twitching into odd configurations as weird sounds struggled to escape her throat.

  With a sigh, Minji leaned forward, pressing a damp hand to her forehead. The coolness was refreshing against her warm skin. She was weary of listening to the television, but Simone and Arthur were riveted by the news. Casting a hopeful look at the double doors that opened to the examination rooms, offices, and the elevator banks, Minji waited for Jesse to return with news about Jake’s condition. After moving the bodies of the deceased cluttering the hallway, Jesse and Arthur had wheeled Jake into the nearest examination room. It was a relief to know that Jake was now under medical care, but it was difficult waiting to hear about the prognosis on his injuries and recovery.

  Meanwhile, Bailey played happily with her toys on the soft blanket Minji had spread on the cold marble floor. The baby had finished her bottle, then eaten lukewarm mashed peas and beef. Now she yammered in baby language while tossing her stuffed dog around. Apple wedges smeared with peanut butter sat in an open plastic container Minji had fished out of the diaper bag after feeding Bailey. She’d eaten a few, but had been unable to
compel Ava to take a bite.

  Arthur and Simone were also eating. They’d found a refrigerator full of employee lunches and helped themselves.

  “It’s not like they’re going to eat it,” Arthur had said in response to Minji’s uncertain expression.

  Trying again, Minji regarded Ava with dismay. “Please, Ava. Take a sip for Mommy.”

  “Heeeeeeeeee...” Ava hissed.

  Minji took a long gulp from the bottle. “See, Ava, that’s what you need to do. Drink.” She poked at Ava’s lips again. Feeling desperate, she drizzled a little bit of water into Ava’s mouth. It ran out of the corners in clear rivulets.

  “Tip her head back and pour it in,” Arthur suggested.

  “Really? That’s your solution.” Simone arched an eyebrow.

  “She’ll either choke or swallow,” Arthur answered. “It’s not like I’m suggesting you drown the kid. Sheesh. It’s a bottle of water.” Shaking his head, he continued to eat a tuna sandwich he had loaded with potato chips.

  Again Minji took a sip before encouraging Ava to drink. This time Ava swallowed. With a grin of delight, Minji kissed her daughter’s cheek. “That’s my smart girl! Drink more, Ava.”

  To her relief, Ava drank half the bottle before pulling her head away. It was such a normal gesture Minji almost wept with delight. She tried to feed Ava the apples, but it soon became clear that Ava wasn’t about to cooperate when it came to the food. After a while, Minji wiped the peanut butter and bits of apple from Ava’s lips and placated herself with the thought that Ava had eaten a large breakfast. She couldn’t allow herself to contemplate what would happen if Ava continued not to eat.

  “Are you paying attention to the news at all?” Arthur asked Minji as he unwrapped a Twinkie.

  “They just keep saying the same thing. Showing the same footage over and over again,” Minji answered.