Previously (Chapter 10):
"Leave before 8:47 tomorrow morning, Sydney."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I'm your mother."
She scoffed.
"Forgive me if I don't cry."
Irina turned and walked back onto the balcony, paused, and turned back for a final statement.
"I hear it's supposed to be hot tomorrow."
Chapter 11: The End of the World
They laid there, not brave enough to fall asleep, not willing to run away.
6:00
7:00
Vaughn held Sydney's hand tightly in his own.
7:30
Kissed all her fingertips
8:00
Held her tightly to him.
8:15
Waited
8:40
Counted the minutes.
8:45
Counted the seconds.
8:47
Felt the heat rising, the beads of sweat forming all over their bodies, forming and evaporating, forming and evaporating.
Wondered how many others were out there too.
Weren't sure how to end this, how to make it right.
The heat rose.
They stood up, got out of bed, unable to be near each other or in contact with any other object.
And suffered through this heat wave.
Felt anticipation boiling in their blood.
And then there was a crash.
Sudden darkness.
Smoke.
They walked out onto the balcony.
And watched as their perfect view slowly fell to the ground.
Destroyed.
Demolished.
La Tour d'Eiffel n'existe plus.
And wondered silently what would be next.
END (?)