Last Destination

Paradise Lost

Note: This is a unedited version of the story! Point out mistakes if you would like!

Sorry for all the shortness and all the dialogue in this chapter!  Video of Paradise by Coldplay on the side! Now, Enjoy!

I'm dedicating this chapter to AnnealiseWengle! Thanks for the major help!(:

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Moriah ran up the steps as fast as she could, anxious to be home again. The corners of her lips lifted, displaying a near perfect set of teeth. "I'm home!" She climbed up onto the couch and looked out the door at her parents, "Slow pokes," she teased. A wave of sadness washed over her parents faces. Their eyes glistened with held back tears, and their lips trembled as they watched Moriah's every move. She sighed and went to go help unload the car. "I'm glad we're back home," she stated as she neared the trunk of their car. She groaned as she lifted up the over packed bags. I really need to go to the gym, she thought.

She turned around only to find her mother staring at her, "Riah, no. Keep your stuff packed and ready please. Throw ours things out of your bags and make room for essentials." A tear rolled down her mothers face, "Please?"

Moriah's face was flooded with confusion. "Okay.." she stated, putting their belongings in their own bags. "Mom, may I ask why though?"

Her mother sighed, "It's a long story, I can tell you about it inside. Now, let's go in." Her mother went up the creaky steps with her dad and Johnson close behind. She followed them inside wearily. "What is going on?" She wondered out loud. Finally inside, she plopped onto the couch and started to wring her fingers, a bad habit she had when she was nervous. She finally let go of her fingers and started to focusing on the carpet beneath her feet.

Her mother sat down across the room, "Riah, you know the vaccine C-912? Well, they didn't do tests on it before they sent it out." Her mothers eyes dropped to the floor, "It makes you extremely sick, Riah. You can only get it if you come in contact with the sick." Moriah made eye contact with her mother and she noticed that her mothers eyes where beginning to fill up with tears, "You need to go, before it's to late. Sweetie, we left a note and some pictures in your backpack. We love you, I hope you know that."

Moriah's eyes widened, and filled up with unshed tears. She stood up silently, and tried to walk closer to her mother. As she took a step, her knees buckled and she found herself in a heap on the floor. Her eyes couldn't handle it anymore and they burst into wet, salty tears.

Her mother choked a little, tears sliding down her cheeks. She hated to have her baby leave like this let alone the mere thought of Moriah seeing her in this state. She picked up the phone and dialed Zach. "Zach, come quickly. You have to take her away now. Somewhere safe. Please!" All the while, she was watching Moriah out of the corner of her eye.

Moriah slowly got up and in a firm voice said, "No. I will not leave you guys. You should know that! It's just a cold!" She choked back a sob, and viciously wiped at her eyes with her sleeve. She slowly approached them, going in for a desperate hug, "It's just a cold!"

Her mother stiffened and moved farther away from Moriah, "I'm afraid not." She flipped on the TV, to see the news cast, "Victims of C-912... Lila Shia, mother of Johnson and Moriah Shia. Joe Shia, father of Johnson and Moriah Shia... Town locked in, protection, survival." Was all Moriah heard, it was all she needed to hear.

She was sure more people had the sickness but, quiet frankly, she didn't care. Her life as she knew it flew away from her reach. She was now in control of nothing. She just lost everything she ever cared about. Her vision got blurry as she watched the memories of her family flash past her eyes. Moriah finally let out a long, shaky sob, "No. It can't be.." She trailed off.

"No!" She screamed, every single emotion finally flooded out. The pain, the despair. Sobs wracked her body as she continuously mumbled, "No." She sat there wishing, hoping, that it was all just a dream. She closed her eyes and listened to the familiar rumble of a old truck. Zachary. My beloved Zach. She slowly got up and turned towards the door. He opened the door and the first thing Moriah realized was the tired, pained look in his eyes. "Your parents.." She couldn't bring herself around to ask.

"Yeah, them too." He stated, with glassy eyes, "Come on, babe. Time to go."

She hiccuped, "I don't want to go."

Zach shed a single tear as he looked at her family. He jerked his thumb back, towards the door, quietly asking if he should take her away. They nodded in unison, all their eyes brimming with more tears. He picked her up and slung her backpack over his shoulder.

"No! Mommy! Daddy! Johnny!" Moriah sobbed. Zach set her in the truck and put her stuff in the back of the cab. "I love you guys.." She whispered as they drove off.

Moriah sat in the passengers side and stared out the window. "What did I do wrong Zach? Why.." she was cut off by Zach, "Moriah, it's not your fault. We can't worry about this anymore, it's the past." he looked her way and forced a smile, "It will be okay."

Moriah nodded and turned on the radio. Paradise by Coldplay blasted through the truck and she let out a dull, forced laugh. "This is everything but a paradise."