William lingered at the end of the hall.
She’d walked past him as she made her way to the underground parking garage. The storm had flooded the lower levels, but her parking space was near the exit ramp, high enough to escape the water.
“Jane,” William called out as she reached her Honda.
“I need you to stay away,” she said, holding up her hand.
I don’t like this any more than you do.
“How are you doing that?” she demanded. “How are you doing any of this?”
“Wait, can you hear me? What did you hear?”
“I don’t know if you’re throwing your voice or what—”
Can you hear this?
“Whatever it is you’re doing, stop it.”
“I swear to you I’m not meaning to do it. I’m just as shocked as you that you can hear me.”
She pressed her key fob, opening the car door and throwing in her purse.
“Just please come with me. I parked my car outside on the street. A white Jeep Cherokee. I just need some time with you to explain. Just hear me out. I think… that all this can stop.”
She looked back to him. “No one can stop a storm.”
No one can talk without speaking words either.
She winced. “Stop.”
“I don’t even know it’s happening,” William admitted. “Honestly, I can only figure this out with you. And the others. That’s why I have to talk to you. Show you Lily.”
“Lily? Who is Lily?”
“When you meet her, you’ll understand.”
She studied his weary face. “I’m not getting in a car with you.”
“That’s fine. I’ll wait for you outside. Just follow me. It’s not far.”
He took off jogging up the ramp, past the now-permanently opened security arm. She slid into the car, and exhaled.
She wanted to peel out, take a sharp right, and meet up with the National Guard caravan. She’d find Shelia and make her get in the car. You’re not going to believe the crazy thing that happened back there. I think I was drugged or something. Or maybe sleepwalking? She would leave New Orleans. Maybe she’d take her parents’ advice and relocate in another city, one that was far inland—
I’m just outside.
Jane gripped her steering wheel. Her every instinct was to drive as far away from this man as quickly as she could.
She began to tremble as she found herself putting the car in reverse and heading out of the garage. In the exhilaration of the moment when William had touched her and the storm changed course before her very eyes, she’d failed to realize her ability to take control of her own actions was gone.
She’d followed the Jeep to a row of shotgun homes, growing angrier by the minute. She’d even tried a few times to take a sudden hard left or right, to break away. But her body had refused to listen. My God, had he injected her with something while she was sleeping?
When they pulled up in front of one of the homes, she knew her face was flushed in anger. She quickly turned off the car, practically jumping out to begin her full-on tirade.
Then the little girl had flown out of the front door and scampered towards William, her neon-yellow dress brighter than the pouring sunlight.
“The sun is out!” she said, jumping into his arms. “You made it stop!”
He smiled at her and shook his head. “Not me. Her.”
They both turned to Jane. “Lily, this is Jane.”
The little girl shyly waved. Jane instinctively smiled back at her, and then shook her head. “William, we need to talk. Privately.”
“Let’s go inside,” he said, carrying Lily across the lawn.
Jane once again felt the horrible sensation of something propelling her to follow, a heartbeat before her own consciousness could even register what she actually intended to do.
Now the anger was turning to fear.
Inside, a senior citizen at the door had quietly introduced himself as Steven and shut the door, locking it. Her heartbeat was pounding now, as the old man made sure the small opening in the curtain over the front window was closed.
“Let me go,” Jane said.
William set Lily down. “What?”
“I don’t know what you’ve done to me, what you slipped me or whatever, but please let me go. Now.”
William looked genuinely confused. “I’m… not sure what you’re talking about.”
“I am a doctor. I know there is no medical explanation for what you are doing to me. No one can control someone else’s movements. Unlock that door and let me go.”
“Steven, unlock the door,” William said, holding up his hands. “Please believe me that I am in no way trying to do this. I’m trying to understand it as well. Are you saying that you’re compelled to… follow my directions?”
“I didn’t want to follow you here. I tried to drive away and I was physically unable to do so. I didn’t want to come in this house, but my body isn’t listening. And I am on the verge of screaming for help.”
Lily slowly approached her. “I got scared too when it started happening to me.”
“What are you talking about?” William asked.
Lily looked from him back to Jane. “I don’t think he means to do it.”
“Lily.” William kneeled down before her, his eyebrows raised. “Are you saying you’ve been forced to follow me?”
“I want to go with you. But… I can’t say no, either. It’s like… I don’t want to hurt people. But when you’re in trouble… I have to do it.”
“Hurt people?” Jane demanded. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you need to let me, and this little girl, go. Right now.”
“Don’t be afraid of him. He’s not doing it, it is,” Lily said. “The monster in the mountain is.”
“Seriously, stop this right now—”
“I would if I could,” William said. “I don’t want to be doing any of this. I just know what happened to Lily and me… happened to you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Jane… do you remember if you went missing… about a year ago?” William asked.
Jane flinched. “I didn’t go missing…”
“But something happened. A period of time you don’t remember. Am I right?”
She swallowed. “Did you have something to do with that?”
“No.” He shook his head. “But I know what happened.”
Jane whirled to Steven. “Are you one of those people who kidnapped him? Is that what this is? Did you also do something to me?”
“Young lady, I haven’t ever laid eyes on you before just now. And I am so sorry that you’re caught up in this. We will explain everything to you.” He motioned with his chin towards William. “Listen to him. Even if he doesn’t direct you to do so, you should probably sit down.”
The headlights of the Jeep Cherokee, clouded by years of oxidation, made for even a dimmer view of the shockingly dark neighborhoods, void of electricity. They drove at a slow pace, hoping to conserve as much gas as possible, as there was no way to know how far they would have to go to find a working station. It also meant no air-conditioning; the slight breeze coming from their glacial pace offering little comfort.
“Let’s hope the military isn’t close by, looking for survivors. If so, we’re in trouble,” Steven said.
“Jane said the city had all but emptied before the last storm. The National Guard only returned for them at the hospital.” William took off his hat to try and dry his sweaty hairline.
“You’re sure… you’re absolutely sure you can find her? Because that is one strong-willed, frightened young woman. It wouldn’t surprise me if she hit the gas and did not let up until Mississippi.”