The Apocalypse of Plants

Laina

"Deal," Tally says, and the rest of us nod in agreement.

"Okay, then. Morgan and I will look on the beach, and you guys go look in town," I say.

Preston frowns and I'm pretty sure he's going to protest when he says, "Okay. We'll go into town, you guys go by the beach. Be there at dusk just so we know you're okay. We leave in the morning." I look up at the sky and estimate we have roughly six or seven hours. That's more than enough time. Hopefully.

"You okay?" Morgan asks softly. I put a smile on my face and nod. He takes my hand and we start walking, but I soon turn around and look back at Tally, who's staring at me. The corner of her mouth quirks up and I blink back tears. Why does it feel like I'm never going to see her again?

A cold feeling runs through me. What if something happens to the three of them?

"Laina? Are you ready?" Morgan says gently. I sigh and take a deep breath.

"Yes, I'm ready," I say. We start walking to the beach and I breathe in the salty sea air. I haven't been to the beach in seven years and if this weren't the middle of the apocalypse, I'd run down into the water.

"I've always loved the beach," Morgan says wistfully. I smile.

"Me too," I say back. He squeezes my hand and we walk along the shore, keeping an eye out for any kayaks or canoes that are by the water. I keep watch on the sun, which seems to be rapidly setting. I'm about to ask Morgan if he notices anything about the sun when he starts running toward the water, pulling me with him.

"Slow down," I pant. I'm so out of breath from running a short amount of distance, it's ridiculous. But then I see what made him so excited, and I gasp and how out of shape I am is forgotten.

Half in the water, half on land, is a rowboat big enough for four people. I can't believe our luck. But then I realize it. Only four people can fit.

"No, no, no," I say as I stumble down to the boat. Morgan follows me silently. "No!" I cry.

"Laina!" Morgan says and pulls me back. The waves come further onto the shore and soak my boots. The next wave goes further and almost knocks me to the ground.

"What's going on?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. Dread tightening in my stomach, I turn and look at the horizon, when at the same time, the ground rumbles, sending us falling to the ground.

Morgan stands back up and helps me up and in the distance, we see a wave beginning to come toward us.

A tsunami.

"We have to go!" Morgan yells. I shake my head wildly. We can't leave the rowboat. Not our one way out of here. "Laina, come on!"

I run toward the boat and try to pull it, but it doesn't budge. It's too heavy.

"Help me!" I beg. Morgan grabs onto it and it slides an inch.

The wave gets closer.

"We don't have enough time! We have to go!" he screams. I nod and abandon all hope of ever getting to the Bermuda Triangle. Unless the others find a boat.

He grabs my hand and we start running away from the shore, but I trip on something and it sends me sprawling into the sand. I stand up, but a sharp pain in my ankle sends me right back down.

"Go!" I shout. He shakes his head.

"I'm not leaving you," he says. "We're in this together. I love you, Laina Cortell." He starts crying and I can't believe it. This can't be the end.

"I love you too, Morgan McGrath." He crouches down, smiles and tenderly touches my cheek and my heart explodes. I never thought I would find someone that I could actually love. It seems cruel that I finally learn what living is the moment before I die.

I pull him to me by his sweatshirt and kiss him, long and hard. Morgan is the one to end it, but he rests his forehead against mine.

I can see the tsunami getting closer out of the corner of my eye, but I don't care.

"May I have this dance?" he asks, holding out a hand. I smile and take it and we stand up.

"Of course."

We start to slow dance and I don't notice the throbbing pain in my ankle. And even though I know I'm going to die, there is no place I'd rather be.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine," Morgan starts to sing softly. The reality comes crashing down on me. We're going to die. This is it. "You make me happy when skies are gray." Tears are running down my face as I hold onto him tighter. "You'll never know, dear, how much I love you." I do know, Morgan. Because I love you just as much. "Please don't take my sunshine away."

That's as far into the song as he gets, because soon the wave is upon us, and the only thing I see is his face, his beautiful face, with tears running down his cheeks, and then darkness.

~~~

And from the darkness, a door of light appears. Spencer walks out and offers me his hand. I'm reaching for it, I'm about to take it, but I listen for anything to tell me to stay. All I hear is silence. The world has gone quiet and cold.

I stop. Take a deep breath. And take Spencer's hand.