In The End

•Chapter 1•

It's been 1080 days since the outbreak started. They told us it was nothing to worry about, but it was all a cover-up for what was to come. With a virus that spread as easily as air and a mortality rate of twenty percent, it was only a matter of time before reality hit the world. Mayhem struck the world as everyone began to panic and buy everything out until there was nothing left. People stopped listening to their government all over the world, and now the only safe place is the city, where everyone is monitored.

What was even more unfortunate was what was to come after the outbreak became manageable. There were so many bodies, the government didn't even know what to do with them all. So they did what anyone could do.

They burned them.

Which was when our problem then went from an uncontrollable, deadly disease to contaminated air. People's lungs were filled with soot, which in turn led to more deaths.

I was only seventeen when the whole world went to shit. Freshly out of high school, and rather than worrying if I was going to be able to get into my dream college. I was worried if my family and I were going to have enough food to last us the next few months.

"Mom, you have to drink the water, please."

My mother has been slowly declining over the last month. I can tell it's the smoke that has gotten to her lungs. We live in a deserted country area, but my mother drives into the city for essentials. Gas for the generator, food, and water. That's where the polluted air has been at hazardous levels. Most people wear hazmat masks and are safe. Unfortunately, like most others, my mother found that out too late.

She gingerly takes a sip of the glass of water I offer her. I know in my heart there's nothing I can do for her health, but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up on her.

"We need to get you to see a doctor." My mom pats my hand and smiles weakly.

"I believe it's very little they can do for me at this point, sweetie."

Tears gather in my eyes. I'm going to be left alone. I lost my dad before I can even remember him, and now I'm losing the only person I have left in this already deranged world. No friends, no family. Just me.

"Honey, listen to me. I'm going to tell you something, and you need to do exactly as I say."

My mother grabs my hands as tightly as her brittle hands can. She looks at me with her still-shining blue eyes. It hurts me to see her look so sickly.

"I need you to go somewhere for me. I'm not going to be here much longer, and I need to know you're being looked after."

"Mom, I can handle myself. I'm an adult, and I've seen how you do everything." she puts her hand up in front of my face to indicate she's heard enough. Being stubborn as always. She points at the table across the living room.

"Go into that drawer right there and look for a map. When you find it bring it to me."

I do as she says and head to the drawer and did through it and find a folded-up piece of paper. Unfolding it, I see it's a printed-out map of our location in California to a destination of some small city in Arizona. Exact directions to what looked like someone's house.

"Why do you have this, mom?" She waves her hands to wave me off.

"Not important, Eliana. Bring it to me."

I walk over to her and hand her the paper. She glances over the paper before sighing shakily.

"I need you to take the truck, it has a full tank. Pack as much as you can in a duffle bag and follow these directions."

I give my mom a look that shows my concern. I don't understand how she can just be so casual about me living without her. But I'm aware it's the world we live in now, don't fear death.

"What's in Arizona?"

"That's where Mr. Wright lives. I talked to him before they shut everything off. He lives there with his wife and daughter." I immediately scoff and stand up. I can't believe she thinks I'm going to leave her to go with some random man my mom used to date in high school and his family.

"No way, I'm not leaving you to go with some random family that may or may not even be there. They shut off our electricity and phones over a year ago, mom. That was before the smoke."

"Eliana, please. The air is safe there. And Mr. Wright is a doctor and can help if you get sick. Doctors in the city are impossible to get to."

She was right about that, most people that need to see a doctor are dead by the time they're able to see them. I figured maybe they do that on purpose to make sure they don't have the virus. Weed out the weak.

"And he promised to take care of you if anything happened to me. He's a good man, Eliana. I've known him pretty much my whole life. So, please. When I'm gone. do this for me. Promise me, baby," She says with strength in her voice. I just stare at her before bursting into tears, causing her to do the same. I hug her like it's the last time I'll ever touch her again.

"I love you, mommy. I promise I'll go when the time comes." she lets out a deathly cough before wheezing an inhale.

"I love you too, baby girl. And remember, I'll always be there with you."