In The End

•Chapter 2•

My mother passed away that night. I called the city to come and get her body before packing everything and heading to where the map said. If all goes according to plan, I should be there in five hours. Getting in the old beat-up truck. I set for the road.

"Alright, mom. This is for you."

Almost five hours passed and I saw the 'Welcome to Arizona' sign that looked like it had been through hell. If I'm correct, I should be a mile or two away.

"Shit. I hope this guy is still here." I mutter to no one but myself. I have become accustomed to talking to myself since I lost all my friends during the outbreak.

The truck suddenly jolts before coming to a complete stop. I see the smoke start to come out, and I know from that moment I'm screwed.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me."

Looks like I'm walking the rest of the way. I grab my duffel bag before hopping out of the truck.

I walk for what feels like hours. I take a swig of the water that I packed. I start to get worried when I see that I should be at my destination, but all I see is the open road.

Oh God, I'm stuck here now. Good fucking job Eliana. Now instead of dying from a disease or smoke, you're gonna die from stupidity. I knew I should've stayed home. I'm almost twenty-one years old; I'm fully capable of taking care of myself.

As I hear a car approaching, I turn and see that it is a nice SUV, slowing down and stopping in front of my walkway. An older man with graying hair and a thick beard steps out of the vehicle, holding a gun. I quickly raise my hands in defense.

Well looks like this is the end for me. Not like I care at this point anymore.

"Hey, I'm not trying to "

"Are you sick?" He cut me off to shout as he made his way to me with a very slight limp, still pointing his gun at me.

"What? No, I'm not sick. I-I'm looking for someone," I shouted back, knowing I most likely looked sick and disgusting in my sweaty tank top and running shorts.

"And who are you looking for, little girl? I know everyone in this town," he responded.

Fuck, who is this man? I'm a grown woman and he's calling me a little girl. If he's going to shoot me, he should just go ahead and do it already.

"His name is Derek Wright. Do you know him?" I see him pause for a second before taking a step forward.

"No way, Little Eli? Is that you?" he said, squinting past the sun to get a better look at my face. He then dropped his gun and walked closer to me.

You've got to be shitting me. I couldn't believe it; the man who was about to shoot me was the same nice man my mother had always talked about. I had only ever seen him at my birthday parties when I was little until my mom got a new boyfriend and I stopped seeing him.

"Mr. Wright?" I take a closer look at him; he looks different than what I vaguely remember when I was a child.

He is older, but still very handsome. He gives me a huge hug, which takes me by surprise. I pause before wrapping my arms around him. Oddly, his hug is comforting. I guess I have missed physical touch from people other than my mother.

And now I miss my mothers...

He pulls away, analyzing me with a smile as if I had just made his year.

"God, I can't remember the last time I saw you. You're so grown, so beautiful." I smile awkwardly and feel a blush spread across my already very red cheeks. I know he meant it innocently, but I can't remember the last time I've talked to a male, let alone one this old and good-looking.

"Where's your mother?" My smile immediately disappeared as he spoke those words. It was evident on my face, as his smile faded immediately as well.

"God, Eli, I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have said anything. I knew better." He paused before putting his arm on my back to lead me away.

"Come on, let's take you home."