Disclaimer: nothing belongs to me
English is not my first language.
Summary:
2023. The world you once remembered is long gone. And for just one night every year everything you've learned in your life doesn't matter. For just one night you get to go with who you really are, even if it means aiming a gun at someone who wronged you. When every crime in the book becomes legal, how well do you think you know the people around you? Your neighbors? Your friends? Your own family? If you have to wonder, you just may not stay alive long enough to figure that out.
"God, it was good to let go,
let the tight mask fall off,
and the bewildered, chaotic fragments pour out.
It was the purge, the catharsis."
~ Sylvia Plath
Chapter 1: "The commencement"
Los Angeles
March 21, 2023
It was Tuesday around 4 p.m. The sun was shining brightly down onto the city and everything seemed perfectly normal. Just another day at school. Just another day at work.
"Okay, guys, it's getting late. Class is dismissed." our English teacher announced. "Hope to see you all tomorrow..." he added, sounding rather uneasy. "Stay safe."
Everybody immediately gathered their belongings and began walking out of the classroom. As for me? I didn't even move from my chair.
"Why so slow, girl?"
I looked up in the eyes of one of the very few people that I could still call my friends. "I was just thinking."
"Well now's not the best time for that, is it?" Johanna said with a smartass look on her face.
"Yeah," I sighed. "guess you're right."
"Hey, have you seen that video that everyone has been talking about?"
"What video?" I frowned. Johanna shook her head with a laugh, then handed me her phone.
"Stop living under a rock, would you?" she teased me, making me roll my eyes. Johanna was a rather strange girl who simply didn't give a shit about absolutely anything or anyone. Except for her family and friends, of course. And I was happy to be one of them.
I pressed the 'play' button on the screen and a face of a dark-skinned man came up.
"We've lost our souls to attain this peace. We no longer worship at the altar of Christ, Muhammad, Yahweh.
We worship at the altar of Smith & Wesson. We, the people, know not what we do." he said, glaring straight in the camera as if he wanted to somehow affect every person that was watching the video. " The Purge is not about containing crime to one night, and cleansing our souls by releasing aggression. It's about one thing. Money."
Clips of people shooting guns followed and I took that time to raise my eyebrows at Johanna who just nodded her head at the phone, encouraging me to keep watching.
"Who dies tonight? The poor. We can't afford to protect ourselves. Whatever happened to 'give me your needy,
your tired, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free'? The redistribution of wealth upward through killing has to stop. We must pick up arms. This year, we will fight back!"
"His name is Carmelo Johns. I saw his protest posters all over our neighborhood. He's just like us. He lives there, too."
"Talk is cheap, Jo." I said, giving her the phone back. "He might be right, but let's face it; he's not going to do anything about it."
Her eyes softened, as she watched me pack my books. "Clove."
"Yeah?"
All of a sudden, Johanna looked troubled, as if she was trying to choose words carefully before speaking; "You uh," she paused, making me furrow my eyebrows at her. "You are not going to try and do something about it yourself, are you?"
I bit my lip, looking away from her piercing stare. She was the one person who never judged me. Not for my past, not for who I was today. I was sure that if anyone, she would stick around no matter how ugly my life would get.
"No, Jo." I said, putting my hair into a high ponytail, before standing up. "I'm not."
"Okay," she nodded, looking satisfied with the sincerity of my words. "you going straight home now?"
"No, I promised Gale I'd wait for him." I told her, looking away. It was only a partial lie. I knew that Jo was good at calling me out on my bullshit, though, which is why I broke the eye contact.
"Alright then." she sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow. Call me when you get home, okay?"
I smiled and gave her a tight nod. "Sure."
"Stay safe, girl."
"You too."
Plenty of cars were out in the streets, as always, with the rush hours reaching their peak. Masses of people moved along the sidewalks and across the streets, as each individual was trying to get home to their families. One would say there was nothing odd about that. They all just wanted to go home and rest, having spent another day out working or studying. Nothing strange about that. Right?
"Traffic is building rapidly downtown, as citizens rush to get home before commencement." I heard a female voice on the radio coming from somebody's car. "If you're not Purging, we advise you to get off the streets as quickly as possible. It'll soon be a war out there."
Most days aren't anything special. Most days have no affect on one's course of life. Most days are not remembered.
"Prognosticators estimate that more people will partake in this year's Purge."
What if I told you this day wasn't like any other day? What if I told you this one day out of the whole year was going to stand out? What if I told you that this day could be your last?
My name is Clove Flair. I was born on the 22nd of March in 2006. Back when things in the world were still somewhat normal. Normal enough, I suppose. The world has been out of control for a while now. Today was only yet another living proof.
"Are you gonna cross any time soon today?"
I shook my head at the sound of his voice and glanced at him with an absent look on my face. He stood there with those magic, blue eyes of his and shiny, brown hair. Looking as perfect as he always did without trying. I couldn't believe that I thought all those things of him; especially today. I could only be glad he couldn't read my mind. Only one person in this world had that ability. Well, used to anyway.
When I didn't say anything for a while, he sent me a concerned look, something I did not like, and put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You guys are gonna be okay, Clove. Like always."
"I wouldn't bet any money on that, Gale." I told him, moving away from his touch and attempting to cross the street. "You just might happen to be wrong about that."
"Don't say that." he almost snapped, following me. "It's not funny."
"Well, I wasn't trying to be funny." I replied simply, shooting him a glance over my shoulder. He caught up with me and we were now walking side by side, making our way across the street and away from the school. Lots of kids were getting picked up by their anxious parents who egged them on to hurry. "Look at how scared they seem."
Gale followed my gaze to the crowd of people and then locked eyes with me. "I'd say that's justified."
"Is it, really?" I snorted, stopping. He sighed, knowing what was about to come. "They got nothing to worry about. They'll be perfectly fine inside their rich, perfectly secure little houses."
"How do you even know how they live, Clove?"
"Have you seen their cars?" I asked as if it couldn't be more obvious as I started walking again. I really wanted to get away from all those people. I didn't need to see the fear in their eyes.
"You sound like Johanna." he snorted, receiving a well deserved slap on the shoulder from me. I did not want to be compared to his ex-girlfriend, as fond as I was of her. "Why are we not taking the bus?"
"I'm going to check on Cato. He didn't show up today at all and he isn't answering his- what?" I cut myself off when I saw the look Gale sent me. Without a word he grabbed my arm and pulled me along down the street. "Gale, what?"
He said nothing, but when we turned into an alley he stopped and let go of my arm, glaring at me, which I might add didn't happen very often. "You promised me you'd never do that again."
"What are you talking about?"
"Going to check on Cato? How stupid do you think I am?" he snapped, looking sincerely offended.
I licked my dry lips, looking away because I did not want to see him glare at me the way he was now.
"I'm not going out tonight, Gale." I told him, but he just laughed dryly.
"Are you going to at least look me in the eye while you're trying to lie to me?"
"I'm not lying." I insisted. "I'm not gonna do anything. I'm just worried about Cato, okay?"
"Of course you are." Gale snorted, storming off.
"Hey!" I called to him, feeling anger start to build up inside of me. "What is your problem?"
"I'll see you tomorrow, Clove." Gale dismissed me, disappearing in the crowd of people in front of me. I stood there, stunned. I couldn't believe he actually walked away from me. Not only was it something new for me, but to think he did that specifically today? I swallowed down the lump in my throat and trying to think of something other than Gale's glaring eyes, I turned on my heels and began walking in the opposite direction.
The ringing of my cellphone snapped me out of my anger-filled thoughts. I quickly grabbed it out of my pocket and answered it.
"Hello?" I gasped, passing by a group of boys that were trying to get my attention. "Hey, mom... Yeah, I know it's late, I just left school... No, I'll be home in no time, don't worry... Tell Jakie we're gonna watch a movie together tonight, okay?... I love you too. Bye."
I knocked on the door three times, as I always used to and waited for him to open it. After half a minute or so, I heard approaching footsteps. The door opened and I faced a tall, muscular guy with cold, blue eyes and Blonde hair sticking out in all directions. I gave him a small smile.
"Hey."
He parted his lips slightly, surprised to see me. Stupid me thought he'd look happier than this.
"What are you doing here?"
Stupid me was also hoping for a simple "hey" back.
"I came to check on you, Cato." I told him, taking a step forward. "Can I come in?"
"Look, little girl, now's not a good time, alright?" he said, his voice sounding a bit too cold for my liking. I focused on the fact that he just used his old nickname for me and decided to smirk.
"Why, you got company?" I asked suggestively, very affectively pretending I didn't give a damn if he did.
Cato narrowed his eyes and when I tried to take a peak inside the apartment, he pushed on me, making me step back, then closed the door behind him. "I'm busy. And it's late. You should be on your way home now."
"You didn't show up at school today."
"Yeah, while I admire your observation skills, Cloves," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "you still need to leave."
What was left of my smirk faded completely; because I knew well enough why he refused to let me in. I knew exactly why he had not come to school today. And it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
"You don't have to do this." I said, shaking my head. Cato groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Please, don't go out there again."
"What do you care, anyway?" he snapped, his eyes shooting daggers at me. "Why don't you go back to your new boyfriend and leave me alone?"
I felt tears tickling the back of my eyes but I choked them back. "He isn't my- Look, I just," I paused to take a deep breath. "I'm worried about you."
"No need. I'm not one of your concerns anymore, am I?" he whispered coldly. "Go home, Clove. Now."
"Don't do this." I tried again, placing my hands on his arms and feeling his muscles tense underneath my fingers. "It won't change anything."
"Clove, Goddamnit, leave me alone!" he yelled, his angry voice echoing in the halls. I flinched, taking a step back, shock painted all over my face. He has never raised his voice at me like that before. I wish I actually knew if I deserved that.
His face relaxed when he saw my eyes glistening with hot tears. He rubbed the back of his hand against his forehead and cussed under his breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't-" he paused, at a loss for words. "I just need you to go, okay? It's getting late. You really shouldn't be here."
A lonely tear rolled down my cheek, as I nodded. "Okay."
"Shit, Clove, don't-" Cato said in a begging tone.
"No, I'm cool." I said, turning away. "I'll see you."
As I was about to get the hell out of there, he grabbed my arm and turned me back around so he could face me. A look of pure regret filled his eyes and for once I didn't feel guilty for making him wish he could take back the things he just said. His thumb brushed away the tear from my cheek ever so gently.
"You know I can't stand it when you do that." Cato said, so much more softly now; it almost made me want to laugh.
"Yeah well, don't make me do it then, you ass." I shot back, trying to stop my voice from shaking.
"You shouldn't have come here." he said, keeping his hand on my cheek still. "Why did you?"
"I came to stop you."
"You can't."
I looked deep into his eyes and saw how determined he was. There was no changing his mind. Whatever he had planned this year, I knew he was going to go through with it. Whether I cried or not.
"You are better than this, Cato." I said, slapping his hand away and taking a few steps back. He stared at me with a sad smile on his handsome face, then shook his head.
"You're wrong."
I used my fingers to carelessly wipe away tears from my face, as I walked toward the nearest bus stop. My hands were shaking and all of a sudden a fairly warm March evening seemed much colder. I hugged my arms to my chest and tried to ignore all the anger and helplessness that I felt. I couldn't believe how bad this day turned out to be. Especially this day.
"Hey little girl, no need to cry!"
I flinched when I heard that infamous nickname Cato used to call me non stop once upon a time. But that voice did not belong to Cato for sure. It belonged to a tall man who stood by the side of the road with a few other guys, trying to make some profit from thoe godforsaken day.
"Need some protection tonight, sweetie?" he asked as I was passing him by. "I have everything you might need!"
I ignored him and walked faster. I just wanted to be with my mom and my little brother. They needed me there tonight. I swore I'd be there.
I saw my bus coming and felt huge relief wash over me. In less than forty minutes I was going to be home. Not exactly safe. But as safe as it gets. And so I hopped on and took a seat in the back. I put my headphones on and leaned my head against the window, watching all the cars and people outside.
Some of you will never see the light of the day again.
The traffic was horrible, as I expected. I felt a slight pang of anxiety inside, as I looked down at my watch.
5:58
"Shit," I cussed underneath my breath. It was late. It really was. I knew that if I didn't make it in time, my mom and Jakie would be left waiting for me with the lockdown. Chills ran down my spine as I looked around. I was still at least half an hour long bus ride away from home.
Out of the blue, there were some strange, worrying noises coming from underneath the floor and the bus started slowing down significantly. I glanced away from my watch and felt an unplesant feeling squeeze my stomach.
"What's going on?"
"Why are we stopping?'
Anxious voices interrupted the silence right before the bus came to a complete stop. I took off my headphones, my hands trembling slightly. I heard sounds of the driver trying to start the engine again but to no avail. After a few attempts he got up from his seat and looked back at his passangers. I didn't like the look on his face. I didn't like it one bit.
"It's dead." He announced, his voice shaking.
"What!?"
"What are you talking about!?"
"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do." the driver said, drops of sweat glistening across his forehead. He quickly gathered his stuff before opening the door.
"What are we supposed to do now!?" a man from the front yelled, panicked. And he wasn't the only one.
The driver froze halfway out the door. He then glanced to the side, making eye contact with all the people he was about to leave behind. "Run fast." he said. And then, just like that, he was gone.
I was unable to move for at least thirty seconds. Fear seemed to have paralyzed the rest of the people on the bus, as well. But it didn't last. Before long, everyone began to frantically try to make their way out of the bus. Some of them were already on the phone, trying to reach their friends or relatives who lived the closest.
"Oh my God, we're downtown! Everybody comes here to purge!" a woman before me cried out to the man, that I assumed was with her, as they were walking out the door. "No one's gonna help us tonight!"
I followed them out of the bus and was about to make a run for it, when we heard a couple of motorcycles heading our way. We all stopped at once.
There was at least five guys on the road, but they weren't just any typical motorcyclists. Each one of them had a different, white mask on his face, making it impossible for anyone to recognize them. I frowned when they passed us by, slowing down just enough to wave at us with the machetes they had in their hands.
They were the Purgers.
Before they were gone, one of them threw something in our direction. It fell right before our feet. I swallowed hard and the three of us bent down to see what it was.
Wires.
I felt my heart in my throat. Without a word, I walked over to the bus then kneeled in order to look underneath it. The man and woman followed me and now we were all looking at a bunch of wires which had been purposely cut.
"Oh my God, it was them." I whispered in horror, getting up from the ground. "They cut those wires."
The sound of roaring engines made me look over my shoulder. The Purgers were still there, watching our reaction.
"We gotta run." the woman cried out, tugging at the man's jacket. "Shane, come on!"
He nodded and they both took off running. I watched them go, compeletely shocked.
What the hell was I gonna do?
Gale's place was far but it was closer than my house. There was a slight chance I could make it there before the commencement. Cato's apartament was much closer, though. But he was not going to be there tonight; that much I was sure of. But maybe I could try making it there before he leaves. Maybe he'd still be there.
I reached for my cellphone only to realize that it was dead. "You gotta be kidding me." I groaned, putting it back in my pocket. I turned on my heels and began running down the streets away from the Purgers. There were still cars in the streets and people here and there, who were probably minutes from getting to their homes. But I was not one of them.
Thinking of mom and Jakie, I began running faster, subconciously choosing the bus route back to Cato's apartment. Due to all the stress consuming me, I was out of breath in no time. But I didn't stop. I couldn't stop.
Before I knew it, I was already running up the stairs in his apartment building. I made it to his door and desperately began pounding. "Cato!" I yelled, knocking so hard that my knuckles screamed in pain. "Cato!"
No one responded. He wasn't in. He was gone.
"Dammit!" I swore, before running down the stairs and back outside. Sweat began forming little drops on my forehead as I continued to run down the street, now heading toward Gale's house. I glanced down to my watch again.
6:32
"Shit!" I gasped, speeding up. "Shit, shit!"
There was no way I'd make it there in time.
"My name is Donald Talbot." the voice I hated rang out in the street suddenly, his face coming on one of the many TV screens installed in the city. I stopped when I heard him, panting terribly, as I tried to catch my breath. "Our regime was voted into office nine years ago. And the first order of business was to deal with the epidemic of crime that was plaguing this nation. The answer was the Purge."
"Fuck you, Donald Talbot." I murmured, narrowing my eyes at the screen and clenching my fists tight. I tuned out the rest of his speech and began speeding down the street again, no longer sure which direction I was headed in.
How I wished I had never stopped by at Cato's today. How I wished I hadn't felt the need to check on him and try to talk him out of something that I knew I had no say about anyway. I knew he wouldn't listen to me. I had no idea why I even bothered. Maybe it just felt like an obligation even though I was no longer a part of his life; which was my own decision. I guess I just wanted to make sure I'd get to see him before this fucked up holiday was going to take place. People these days had this tendency to either shut everyone out or the opposite; they'd act all nice and friendly, because everyone knew that anything could happen. For many, things would not be the same the morning after.
Well, as far as I knew, because of Cato and my own stupidity I was now stranded downtown fifteen minutes before the commencement. I couldn't imagine how scared my poor family must be. Their faces appeared in my head and I choked back all the tears that were trying to get out.
Another face crossed my mind. Gale. I remembered our last chat and I couldn't believe that for all I knew that could have been our last conversation. Ever. How could he go off on me like that and just walk away? Especially today. I knew he might have had his reasons to believe that I wasn't going to just check on Cato. If it was any other day, I would have said his anger was actually well justified. But it wasn't.
There was nowhere to hide. I knew that very well. After all, I have been out during the Purge before. I knew what kind of people were going to be out in the streets. I knew how well prepared they would be. I had no weapons. I had absolutely nothing on me. I was screwed.
Soon enough I heard the last words that I wanted to hear while stranded in the middle of downtown Los Angeles;
"News 13 wishes anyone who is not participating in this year's Purge a safe evening and for those releasing the beast, a successful cleanse. Good luck."
I stopped in the middle of an intersection, looking around frantically, as the most horrifying sounds of alert followed the voice of the reporter;
"This is not a test. This is your Emergency Broadcast System announcing the commencement of the Annual Purge sanctioned by the U.S. Government."
Oh dear God.
"Weapons of Class 4 and lower have been authorized for use during other weapons are restricted. Government officials of Ranking 10 have been granted immunity from the Purge and shall not be harmed."
I kept looking around, as if I was searching for a miracle rescue team to suddenly come to my aid.
No one was going to come. No one was going to help.
"Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours.
Police fire, and emergency medical services will be unavailable until tomorrow morning at 7:00 am when The Purge concludes."
The faces of all the people I cared for were hunting my mind, making me feel dead. Because for all I knew... I was dead already. I was screwed.
"Blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn.
May God be with you all."
The siren was like an announcement of a death sentence for me, filling my insides with cold fear. I couldn't think straight. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I was all alone.
I was royally screwed.
A/N: Seems like my inspiration for writing Clove/Cato stories is neverending.
So just to fill you guys in; this fanfic is obviously a crossover. I have recently seen a movie called The Purge: Anarchy (which in my modest opinion is a very good and eye-opening film) and it was not the first time I watched it, actually. But it was the first time I got an idea for an AU Hunger Games fanfiction. If you think about it, the idea of The Purge and The Hunger Games are quite similar. They both take place in the future where the people have become slaves to the system, more or less. Scary, huh?
This story will be a Clove/Cato centric with a couple of other Hunger Games characters included of course. So far, it's those two, Gale and Johanna. Now, because this story is an AU, the characters will be relatively OOC, although I'll try to keep them somewhat in character, still.
I hope you guys enjoyed it and will leave me a little review! Let me know if you're interested.