TRIGGER WARNING

Disclaimer: I do not own The Purge franchise.

The Polite Visit (3,497)

It was that time of year again. I was getting the last of my shopping done. I could see many other couples doing the same. The same ugly feeling of envy fills me. They had someone to spend the Purge with, while I was going to be alone wondering if anyone would even know if I died.

As another box of cereal flakes joined its brethren, Emily came strolling over with a wide smile on her face. "Hi, Cassandra. I'm surprised to see you out and about. Not that I think there's anything wrong with having no social life, of course," she laughed. "How are you?"

I gritted my teeth and actually considered joining the Purge just to get rid of her. It would make my life so much easier. "Fine," I ended up gritting out. No, I would never join them. As much as I wished certain people to leave me alone, they didn't deserve to die. I could cope. I just needed to pay for these and get out. "I'll be going, now."

"Yes, of course!" She laughed, again. The sound was grating to my ears. It was something she seemed to have perfected - the perfect, fake facade. It was so common here that most people didn't even notice it anymore. In fact, it had basically become the new norm. "I better get back home to. Need that head start if I want to cook enough for everyone." Yes, for the party that she always threw during the Purge.

I was never invited and I would never want to attend, but it irked me that she liked to subtlety rub it in my face.

"Have fun." I quickly push the shopping cart towards the register. It didn't matter that I didn't have everything that I came to get. I just wanted to go back home where I didn't need to be around these people who lived life like a happy sitcom.

It had been a while since the Purge was implemented. The time before that was a bit of a blur, but I remembered how my parents would fret about riots and police shootings. It was terrible. I just didn't know how bad until they never came home one day.

Then, I got the call that they had been murdered while driving by a protest. A sniper had gotten trigger happy trying to kill the police force that were stationed there for protection. Several cops were murdered, but my father had had the misfortune of taking a poorly aimed bullet to the head. The car spun out of control and slammed into a street lamp. The vehicle was nearly sawed in half. I never even got to say goodbye to my mother in the hospital.

It wasn't long after that the new law came. I think the politicians and law enforcements have had enough and just decided that they needed a certain amount of time to recuperate. It was only going to be a onetime deal at first, but then it became tradition. They all took the time off to just be completely free of responsibilities.

The first year, not much happened. Seven PM came and seven AM went. There were no major news the next morning. When everyone found out that it was going to be an annual event, that was how our new life cycle started. Everyone would be kind to each other until the one night that no one could reprimand them for what they have done. All that pent up anger would be focused on several individuals instead of spreading to everyone around them.

Soon, this was televised in a positive light. It was seen as a blessing. Somehow, killing became alright as long as it was done within those twelve hours.

"That will be nineteen fifty-nine."

I gave her a twenty and hurried off with my bags without bothering with the change. It was only two in the afternoon, but I was already feeling anxious. I wasn't one of the fortunate who could afford the new hi-tech security systems that the rich all had. I only had my small residential home with the windows boarded up. They stayed that way all year 'round because it became too much of a hassle taking them down. The wall also started to lose its integrity.

With all the other homes in similar condition, however, I didn't exactly have a target on my back. I had an equal chance of being attacked as everyone else in the neighbourhood.

"Going home already, Cass?" John, my next door neighbour was watering his lawn. "The day is still early. You shouldn't hole yourself up so much. You're still young. Enjoy life while you can!"

I liked him alright. He was quite a jolly fellow, but not in the way that Emily held herself. He was carefree, but a bit naive. I'd say that he was the closest person I had. He was the only one who seemed to be remotely interested in my wellbeing without being condescending about it.

After placing down all the grocery, I ended up going back out just so I didn't have to be alone for more than I had to. John was definitely the ideal company for someone like me. He liked to talk - a lot - and I liked to hear all his stories. They were from a time before all this. They were of a life where he didn't have to fear being randomly hunted down. He was someone who didn't support the Purge, but grew flowers in his lawn because he wanted to. It was how he had always had it since before his wife passed away. He lived with his son and daughter now. They were still in high school and assimilated very well to the new society. They were not like their father at all.

"You could always stay with us for the night. I know how much you hate being alone in there during the Purge."

I had considered this many times before, but the deal breaker was his kids. I spent most of my time alone because I couldn't bear to be with people like them. The nights of the Purge were no different. "Thank you, but I'll probably just stay in my room with a book."

He chuckled. "Oh, how I wish that I had a daughter like you. Hayley hates reading. I think I've given up all hopes that she will get into a good college." Unfortunately, she was also a heavy party goer and spent most of her day - school hour or no - doing questionable things. " I hear you're working at a law firm now. Soon, you'll be moving up in society and I won't be seeing you anymore."

Shaking my head with a smile, I reassured him that that would never happen. I had only started interning. It would be a while before I could be promoted from being a gofer to something that actually involves anything related to law.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I told him as I saw the sun begin to set. It was already five. We had spent the past few hours in an idle conversation.

"See you! Hope you have a safe night."

"You, too."

I locked myself in and began to push my couch against the door. It was the best I could do for now. The back entrance was deterred by the dining table. At the very least, it would give me enough time to actually see my life flash before my eyes. Hopefully.

I turned the television on to the news channel. They were already starting a segment on the previous Purge. With a bowl of cereal in my lap, I lounged on the carpet with a mountain of pillows.

It looked to be a rerun of what they showed shortly after the Purge ended last year. How could anyone think that this night was alright after seeing all the dead bodies just strewn on the streets. Did anyone truly know how many have died since? Were they giving out the correct statistics or did they only count the people who mattered to them? What about everyone who went missing or the homeless who didn't have anyone to report that they have disappeared?

Before I knew it, the screen flickered to a familiar blue background with scrolling words. It was about to begin. Once the standard warning stopped, the sirens began.

It's started.

The first hour was quiet. It usually was. I suspected that this was the time they used to prepare themselves. The attacks were often spontaneous rather than planned. Rarely anyone had a specific target.

I left my bowl in the sink. It was going to be a depressing night. One day of laziness wasn't going to hurt anyone.

The second hour, too, went by without a hitch.

At ten o'clock, however, I heard a loud bang and screams quickly followed. The closeness of it got my heart racing. It was probably someone I saw often.

I waited until the gunshots ended before chancing a peek through the corner of my window. It was John's house.

The window had shattered and the wooden boards chopped up. The lights were still on and I could see the still body of Hayley lying on the cold, white tiles of their kitchen. A small stream of blood ran from her head and travelled into the crevices of the flooring.

It was uncommon for a household with flowers to be attacked during the Purge. The flowers typically signified their support for the cause. Could someone have leaked that John was actually against it?

I ducked my head back down as the group strolled out as if they hadn't just murdered a family of three. My heart went out to my neighbours, but I wondered if they had caught a glimpse of me. I should never have been so nosy. I should've done what I said I would do and settle down with a book.

Perhaps it was not too late to do so.

I began to make my way to my room when the doorbell rang.

I froze.

No one ever visits during the Purge. Only victims had visitors.

The doorbell rang again.

I went to the intercom that had a black and white camera connected to the front of the house. It was all that I could afford.

Turning it on, I saw a young man dressed in a suit. His hair was slicked back and he had on an eerie mask. I could see the rest of the group just outside the front gate. They, too, had masks on.

"Hello, Cassandra," he greeted as if he was merely a friend from school or work. "How are you this evening?" He didn't wait for a reply as he leaned his head down and began to take off his mask. The face that now looked back at me was deniably handsome, but the wide grin on his face was chilling. "I am part of the Purge, but you already knew that. Just from one intelligent individual to another , I'd like to get straight to the point. My friends and I were going to get our release tonight, but there are four of us and only three of them. I haven't gotten my turn before they died, so I've decided to pick you." He took a deep breath, the smile still on his face. "I saw that you haven't planted any flowers outside. Are you against the Purge? I think I should come in to clear up any misunderstandings."

I quickly turned around and began to race out. I wasn't safe here anymore. They had easily gotten into John's house. Maybe I could leave through the back.

Running as fast as I could, I pushed the table away and flung the door open. The porch light was on and I ran straight into a body. I screamed as his arms wrapped around me and pulled me back in. The door slammed close as he easily manipulated me out of the kitchen.

The carpet left a long, red mark on my arms as he threw me down. His dark blonde hair and startling blue eyes looked almost angelic if they had not been ruined by his devious grin. "Come on, Cassie. I just need my release. I'll be gone once I'm done."

I shook my head, tears already streaming down my eyes. He'd be gone, but so would I.

He pointed his knife to his chin as if contemplating something. "you know, it doesn't have to be messy or difficult. I just need you to cooperate."

I shook my head, again. I knew that I had no choice, but at least I'd die knowing that I hadn't given into him.

His grin turned into a frown as if he was truly disappointed by my reply. "I had really hoped that you'd be more compliant." With that said, he lunged forward with the knife pointed straight at me

I left out a piercing scream as the air was knocked out of my lungs. My heart was banging painfully against my chest, but at least I was still alive.

My entire body was completely pinned down by his bigger frame. The knife that I thought was going to end my life had struck the floor right beside my head. "Did you expect it to end so quickly? That wouldn't be fun." He slipped one hand down my body and began to tug at the drawstrings of my pyjama bottoms.

"No… No, please…" I sobbed. I thought that he would make this quick, but I was sorely mistaken. His hand was cold and it left an icy trail as he caressed me.

He hummed. I could feel his impossibly wide grin only expand the entire width of his face. "Don't be like that. I could make this very enjoyable."

Again, I shook my head, hoping that this was some kind of nightmare. I continued to shake and sob until he heavily collapsed against me with a sigh.

"Now, you're not even making it enjoyable for me," he groaned. "Stop crying long enough so we can do this." When I didn't, he huffed and rolled over. "Why do you have to make it so difficult for me?"

I sniffed and curled to my side. The shine of the knife caught my eye. It was still impaled on the floor beside me. Behind me, he was still grumbling to himself. This was my chance! Even if it wasn't during the Purge, no one would fault me for this. It's self defense!

Shakily, I reached for the weapon. In one quick movement, I pulled the blade out and turned to stab him.

The attack caught him by surprise and I managed to dig it into his shoulder. He let out a pained yell before catching my wrist in a bone-cracking grip. "Damn it!"

I scrambled back away from him as he pulled it out with a grunt.

"What's going on?!" one of his group members yelled through the back door.

"Nothing!" he replied. "Don't come in."

I watched with wide eyes. Why wasn't he letting the others come in? Did he not want to share because he missed out at… at John's house? I moved back just a little bit further and caught his attention.

He sat up with a hand on his shoulder to stop the blood flow. Leaning against the wall, he gave me a dry look. "Really?"

I bit my lips, shifting my eyes away from him. Not a second later, they flitted back towards his face before directing downward and I couldn't help the word blurting out of my lips, "Sorry!" Immediately, I mentally reprimanded myself for being an idiot.

This guy was trying to rape me and I apologised for defending myself!

He suddenly burst out laughing. I waited as he laughed and laughed and laughed. Tears sprung out from the corners of his eyes and even then, he didn't stop. "Sorry? I think there's something wrong with you." He wiped his eyes with his other hand. "I wonder what's going on through that pretty mind of yours."

I shot him an unsure look. "If you're going to kill me, can you just do it, now?" I meekly asked him. The fight in me had quickly disappeared at his unpredictable behaviour. I was tired and just wanted it to be over.

He sucked in a deep breath and tilted his head, a happy smile on his face. "Oh, no. I'm not done with you, yet." He slowly got on to his feet, a pained grimace on his face as he stumbled to the door.

"What do you mean?" The Purge was ending in a couple of hours. Don't tell me he was going to come back! Never mind my life, my sanity would go first.

"See you around, Cass." With that, he was gone. The rest of his group sounded confused when they caught sight of me. Before he closed the door, he took out his gun and shot the closest one in the head, splattering blood all over the back porch. Some of it was sprinkled across the kitchen counter.

He left me with one last grin before gently closing the door.

Shakily, I got to my feet and locked the door before pushing the table back against it. What had just happened? I couldn't seem to process the past hour. I thought he was going to kill me, so why didn't he? What compelled him to stop?

I walked to my room, locked that door, and settled down on the bed with a book in hand.

At seven in the morning, the sirens sounded to signify the end of the Purge. There were many people coming out of their houses to cheer, but I wondered how many died as John's family did? How many even cared?

With a sigh, I got off the bed to look at myself in the mirror. I looked terrible. The dark bags under my eyes seemed to be the only speck of colour on my face. I looked absolutely horrid. There was no way getting around that. I just had to deal with the fact that everyone else would still look perfect while I wander like a pariah to the office. What would everyone think?

I shook my head. It didn't matter. Life went on. I couldn't let them think that this Purge had somehow broken me. I wasn't broken.

I slapped on some concealer, eyeliner, and lipstick and got to work. The coffee didn't make itself!

Dressed in a crisp white button up and freshly ironed black pants, I felt much better. I could feel the residual feeling of accomplishment lingering in the threads. Sure, I was only an intern, but I had gotten here by myself. If not for myself, I was going to move out of here for John.

When I got to work, the office was buzzing with excitement. The boss was here, today. It was a rare and special occasion. He was rarely in, so many of the new recruits, such as myself, have never seen him before. I always pictured him to be a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair - someone who could've been an actor when he was young or a model.

"Candace just went in to see him. I think it's about the promotions!" I heard Kelly whisper to her friend. Instantly, there was another wave of murmurs about promotions. As an intern, I didn't have much of a chance to get promoted, but they've even gotten me curious.

Was I going to like him? What kind of boss was he? Was he the firm, yet kind boss? Or would he be the no nonsense, one chance only kind of boss? I couldn't imagine him being the fun-loving type of guy. Most of the lawyers here were pretty stiff. There wasn't anyone particularly likeable.

The door to the boss' office opened and Candace came out with a wide smile and what seemed to be stars in her eyes. "He's so good looking!" she quietly swooned to Kelly. "When I walked in, I thought I was in the wrong room! And he's so nice! I wonder if he has a girlfriend."

Kelly squealed with her, while Craig merely rolled his eyes. "Did you get the promotion?"

Candace shrugged. "He said he was just going to evaluate everyone first." She, then, turned to me. "Oh, and Cassandra, he wants to see you next."

My mind raced. Why would he want to see me? If it's about the promotion, I had no chance. Was he like everyone else? Would he give me a fake smile, while secretly thinking of ways to fire me?

I rounded the corner and stared into deep blue eyes and a wide smile. "Hello, Cassandra. Why don't you come in? We have quite a lot to talk about."

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I watched the first movie for The Purge and although the actual movie got me really frustrated, I really enjoyed the Polite Stranger's scenes and I wished they could've done more with him later on.

This is intended to be a trilogy, so there should be two more installments to come.

Please drop a review if you'd like to see more. I really love hearing from all of you!