Shannah was walking home from work when the announcement came from the mayor of La Trobe City.

" Attention all citizens of La Trobe! I, as your mayor and leader, have

an announcement to make. This morning a team of research scientists discovered a cloud of poisonous gas, floating towards our city. It is big

enough to block out our sun, and the poison contained in the cloud is

deadly to us. It will reach us tomorrow morning at 7 am. The council is

coming up with an evacuation plan, but until then, we ask you to go back

to your families and don’t panic. The next time I speak with you I will be

informing you of the evacuation procedure. Until then, may God be with

you."

Shannah looked around her. The streets were still. Her fellow citizens were standing about, looking dazed. The city was quiet, peaceful. Too quiet. All of a sudden, panic erupted. Shannah was being pushed and shoved as the crowds ran screaming and shouting, crying and laughing. It was chaos. Shannah didn’t know what to do. She started on her way back to her apartment building. Her boyfriend, Jude, would know what to do. She reached the building and trudged up the stairs to their room. When she opened the door she nearly screamed. Her apartment had been trashed. Then Jude stepped out of the bedroom.

" What happened?" She shut the door and rushed over to him. " Are you okay?"

Jude took her in his arms, " You heard the mayor?" He continued with out waiting for an answer. " I was packing our stuff. We can get through the tunnels. The gas won’t come through there. We can escape and start our lives in another city."

" But Jude, won’t the cloud go every where? It will kill all it comes across. We won’t stand a chance. And besides, won’t everyone use the tunnels? "

" But it’s worth a try. You never know, there might be some places that aren’t affected by the cloud. We could search for a place. We’ll get through it, we have to."

Shannah decided not to argue with him. He never was particularly bright, but she loved him anyway. She knew that there was no hope of them surviving. The cloud would get into everything. And being a cloud, it would probably float everywhere and kill everything. It was the end of the world, as they knew it. Everything would be destroyed.

An hour later they were packed. She said goodbye to her apartment knowing she would never return. They made their way towards the closest tunnel. As they walked through the city streets, Shannah felt as though she was the only one left in the world. It was so quiet. The citizens of La Trobe were either in the tunnels or at home with their families. She felt hopeless. As they came within sight of the tunnel, the silence was shattered. A stampede rushed towards them from the tunnel. Jude pulled Shannah out of the way just in time. Jude grabbed someone out of the crowd.

" What’s going on? What happened in the tunnel?"

" The tunnel’s exit was blocked off. We couldn’t get out. There are rumours that all the tunnels are the same. We can’t get out. We are trapped in the city." He ran off to join the crowd. Jude turned to face Shannah.

" I guess this is it." His face was full of sorrow.

" I guess it is." Shannah kissed him. " Remember the pond? How about we go there?"

Jude nodded his head. They walked arm in arm through the city. Looters smashed through the doors of the shops. It’s the end of the world and all they can think about is money. Shannah shook her head. She felt sorry for them. Maybe they didn’t have someone to be with, someone who loved them. She was glad she had Jude. They reached the pond and sat by the edge. It had long ago mysteriously dried up, it was as if someone had turned of the water, but it was the place she had first met Jude, and she was happy to spend her last moments with him.

Shannah suddenly awoke. She looked around. She was lying in Jude’s arms beside the pond. The world was peaceful and quiet. She was happy. She looked at the clock in the City Square. 6:50 am. She started to panic. The cloud would be there in 10 minutes. She woke Jude up and told him the time. He just nodded his head.

" It’s coming!" someone screamed at the top of their voice. They looked up and saw a shadow coming towards them. It was dark and menacing. Already the light of the morning had dimmed. Jude wrapped his arms around Shannah and squeezed her tight. She was comforted, but still frightened. Here she was, looking at the ominous shadow that was her killer. She looked at the time. 6:59. It was nearly here. The world was deathly still. She looked around at her world one last time, but something caught her eye. A young citizen was sitting in the middle of the road crying her eyes out. Shannah felt sorry for her. She motioned to Jude and he nodded his head. She left the security of Jude’s arms and ran towards the crying citizen. Shannah gave her a big hug and comforted her. She wiped the tears of her face and was glad to see her smile. Then she went limp in Shannah’s hands. Shannah looked down. She was dead. Shannah realised how dark it had become. The cloud was finally upon them. She looked over to where Jude had been. He was gone. She ran towards the pond and knelt beside Jude’s body. The end had come and she wasn’t with him. Shannah lay down beside him, snuggled in his arms. She then fell into a deep sleep that she would never wake up from.

Mrs Jones walked into the room. " How’s it going? Are you finished?"

The fumigator stood up and turned the machine off.

" Your cockroaches are dead, Mrs Jones. No need to worry."

" Thank you so much. With this new baby coming, I just hated the thought of Cockroaches making cities in my walls."

" Yes this gas does wonders. Kills them straight away. Right then. I’ll just pack up and then we can discuss my fee."

The end!