Hugging herself, Minji warily scrutinized the still forms around her. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe this wasn’t terrorism. What if this event was the manifestation of something not human? Pushing that irrational speculation out of her mind, she wrestled her fear under control and focused her thoughts. If she could move, then someone else may be immune as well.
“Hello! Is anyone else able to move? Or speak?” Minji shouted, her voice reverberating through the long corridors and courtyard.
There was no answer except for th
e noise of the waterfall.
How could she be surrounded by people, yet feel so alone?
Grabbing Jake’s arm again, Minji gave him a violent tug. “Jake, wake up! Wake up!”
A stuttering cry burst out from the baby.
“Bailey! Bailey!” Minji anxiously stretched out her hand to soothe her youngest.
Over Jake’s broad shoulder, Bailey’s small mouth twisted into an ugly shape as she let out a bloodcurdling shriek. Fists clenched, the baby girl unleashed wails that made the already horrifying situation even more fraught with emotion.
“Please don’t cry, Bailey! It’s okay! I’m here!”
Even though Jake hadn’t wanted to remove Bailey from the backpack earlier, Minji couldn’t stand for her baby to be in distress. She raised her unsteady fingers to free her daughter from the contraption.
Jake moved sharply to one side.
From the depths of her soul came a rush of hope that chased away the dour thoughts laying siege to her mind. Once Jake shook of the full effects of the attack, they’d escape this insanity and find help. “Jake! Oh, thank God, you’re waking up!”
Then as quickly as her spirits had risen, they were dashed when Minji realized that everyone else had moved in sync with Jake. All were now facing toward the atrium. Swaying slightly on their feet, the transfixed people reminded Minji of marionettes hanging from the strings of a puppeteer.
Chapter 3
Bailey let out another sharp cry. Again, Minji lifted her hands to free her child from the backpack. One chubby hand gripped Minji’s fingers as Bailey screeched. The unsettling sensation of cold mist slinking over her flesh sent quivers of fear through Minji’s limbs. The icy pinpricks once again assailed her brain, but this time did not pierce as deeply as before. To her relief, she remained in control of her body and didn’t endure another bout of blindness.
In unison, the mesmerized people moved forward, the slap of their feet against the floor echoing throughout the vast building.
Bailey’s slick digits lost their hold when Jake’s long stride carried her out of Minji’s reach. Hurrying after Jake and Bailey, Minji felt a tug on her wrist. Whipping about, she saw Ava caught behind several young men, the leash between her backpack and Minji pulled taunt.
The massive crowd took another synchronized step toward the escalators and the balcony overlooking the waterfall. Tracing their path with her eyes, Minji’s heart raced. Would they stop when they reached the iron railing lining the second floor? Would they tumble down the escalator? Panicked, Minji shoved past the enraptured men blocking her daughter and jerked Ava into her arms. Ramrod straight, eyes staring to some unknown point and scarily reminding Minji of a doll, Ava didn’t resist. Desperate to secure Ava’s safety, Minji pushed through the forest of human statues to the entrance of the nearest store. The blank-faced employees cluttered the doorway, making it impassable.
Another thunderous clap echoed as the crowd again advanced.
Panicked, Minji checked on her husband. Jake towered above the others making him easy to spot. The front of the crowd had reached the opening to the balcony and the top of the escalators. Jake was located in the middle of the mass and aimed toward the rectangular balcony that jutted out over the courtyard beneath the domed skylight.
“Shit!”
Desperate, Minji searched for a way to secure her child. Spying the potted plant where they’d taken cover just a few minutes before, Minji started to aggressively elbow through the people blocking the way. The immobile bodies resembled statues not only in appearance, but also in their unrelenting mass, making her task quite difficult. Squeezing between two females, Minji arrived at the plant and set Ava next to it.
“Ava, if you can hear me, I’m going to tie you to this planter so you won’t get crushed.” Minji spoke in breathless words as she frantically tied the leash around the base of the heavy pot. “I love you. I will be right back. I have to get Daddy and Bailey.”
Attempting to return to Jake was even more of a trial. As the crowd drew closer to the rail, it condensed into a tighter pack. At only five foot two and a hundred-fifteen pounds, it was a challenge for Minji to push past people taller and heavier than her small frame.
Another step forward.
Heavy thuds and loud splashes followed.
From the midst of the crowd, Bailey’s cries intensified.
The mesmerized were falling over the balcony and second floor banisters and plummeting down the escalator into the courtyard below. Terror energized Minji’s battle to get to her husband.
“Jake! Wake up! Jake, wake up!”