Chapter 6

Chapter 6.

Right now, I am overwhelmed with intense regret. Why hadn’t I considered the implications of coming here before? If there truly was a sinister plot behind Ajax's death in the novel, wasn't I putting both myself and Dylan at risk by showing up? I felt like I’d go blind from crying in regret if that were to happen.

I quickly decided that I needed to take both myself and the kid back home. But as I reached for my phone to book plane tickets, I tossed it aside in frustration.

My spirits were low; I found myself in what felt like a precarious situation, stuck between two difficult choices. What if this impulsive decision led to even worse outcomes? I wanted to leave, but something in me felt that doing so would be a mistake.

Was there a way to slip out of this chaotic plot unscathed?

I let out a deep sigh.

***

That evening, as the three of us sat down to dinner, my appetite vanished. I must have looked as if the world is about to end.

Of course, Ajax noticed, but he chose to ignore it. He didn’t seem interested in trying to guess what I was thinking, instead opting to wait for me to speak up first.

Dylan was the one who seemed genuinely concerned for me. He reached out his small hand and gently touched my forehead. With a worried look, he asked, “Mom, are you sick?”

I shook my head, and offered the child a little smile to ease his worries. “I’m fine, Dyl.”

I wasn’t sick; I was simply preoccupied with the thought of staying alive.

The notion that this little family might soon meet a grim fate filled me with despair, making me feel frantic under the heavy cloud of hopelessness.

"Why do you look so sad then?" Dylan tugged at my hand, resting it on his cheek. "Tell me. I won’t tell anyone else."

I glanced at the composed and unfazed Ajax and decided to use Dylan as a way to warn him. You could call me overly cautious for worrying about a stranger’s well-being, but now I was embodying the Gwyneth from the novel. When it came to matters of life and death, I thought it was better to drop a hint.

"Mom had a nightmare during my afternoon nap. I’m still feeling really scared," I said softly.

Even though I was nearly twenty-five, I had no qualms about acting a bit cute in front of Ajax and my son to get the message across.

“A nightmare?” Dylan looked even more confused. Did adults really fear nightmares too?

“Yeah,” I said, nodding slowly. “In my dream, something terrible happened to your Dad, you, and me. It was so frightening. We were all covered in blood. I was terrified that you were hurt, but I couldn’t reach you. I woke up feeling so scared.”

After I shared that, Dylan continued to stare at me in bewilderment.

Before I could elaborate, Ajax's voice cut through the air coldly. “Don’t talk about those things in front of a child. You’ll only frighten him.”

Ajax wasn't wrong. If I wasn't driven by the unusual circumstances, I wouldn't have been so eager to discuss the graphic details of my nightmare with Dylan.

But, in that moment, the small child surprised me with a display of love and consideration. He went up to me, gave me a hug, and then turned to his dad with a solemn expression.   

This young child, who was still just shy of four, was a sweetheart. 

I look at his cute expression of trying to put on a brave act and could help my heart melt from warmth. I couldn't help but feel a deep affection for him, so is this what parents feel when their child shows affection to them?

It wasn’t a bad thing at all.

As a result, I made a decision: I would do everything in my power to save him and myself, even if it meant abandoning Ajax.

Ajax's expression changed to one of surprise, and for the first time, our eyes met. This would be my first conversation with him.

"I know that dreams aren't real, but right now, we're in a completely unfamiliar city, surrounded by people we don't know. Even if it's irrational to be scared because of a dream, I still think we should be extra cautious. There are things beyond the realm of science that can't be explained."

I didn't care if my words would make me seem silly or foolish to Ajax. Saving our lives was the priority.

He looked at me with skepticism, clearly unconvinced by my words, which veered into the realm of superstition. When he chose to say nothing, I didn't take it personally. If I were in his shoes, I'd probably find my words unsettling too.

The dinner ended on an awkward note, with neither of us able to make a positive connection.

***

Just as I was starting to feel hopeless, I overheard Ajax making a call to change his flight plans. He had planned to leave tomorrow, but now he'd be staying for a few more days.

The thought of Ajax being around for even longer sent a chill down my spine. At that moment, I blurted out, "We're leaving tomorrow."

My sole intention was to get Ajax and Dylan away from Charcot as soon as possible.

Ajax was caught off guard by my sudden demand. He asked, "Why?" as if puzzled by my reaction.

Hadn't I brought Dylan here for a vacation? Why would I want to spend just one day and then leave?

I took a step closer to Ajax and pointed to my pale, puffy face. "I'm not used to this place. Look, after just one day, my skin is already breaking out, and I have a rash on my face. Even one more day here is too much for me."

Both Ajax and Assistant Jean were taken aback by my response, clearly speechless.