Adam sat gingerly next to her, intertwining their fingers. "If I pushed too far earlier-"

"You didn't." Eloise cut him off quickly. "It's about tonight-"

"The ritual? Babe, you'll be fine. Skylar has faith in you."

Eloise glanced at him sharply. "What're you talking about?"

Adam's eyes widened. "You don't know?"

"Don't know what?"

"Damn, that's probably what Skylar meant by keeping my mouth shut."

Eloise glared at him. "What the hell..." She sighed, shaking her head. "Just forget it. I need to tell you something."

Adam looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue.

Her mouth opened, ready to speak, to confess her feelings. The words she had been deliberating on telling him for the last month, knowing this maybe her last change. "Adam, I love-" Her words faltered as Marly ran into the room, eyes wild.

"Eloise, we need to go. Now!"

Eloise tore away from him, jumping up to rush after Marly before pausing to look over her shoulder at him. He was watching her, dumbstruck by the beginning of her interrupted sentence. It wasn't difficult to piece the rest of it together. She turned, her hair whipping across her face as she hurried after Marly.

Raven and Natalie stood with June outside of the house as she and Marly stepped into the twilight ascending evening. Not a word was exchanged as the group began to run down the street, their shoes slapping against gravel.
Eloise knew what they looked like. A group of young girls running towards safety, the backpack on the redhead looking as they were getting ready for a night's lockdown. A malicious smile crossed over her lips, making her eyes twinkle. If only they knew the truth.
Arriving at the run down house the girls entered, crossing into the kitchen and descending down the rickety wooden steps to the basement. The railing whined when they touched it, the steps heaved downwards with each step, threatening to cave in at any moment. They had endured more weight over the years, they would keep lasting much longer.

Eloise made a beeline for the front of the room, Marly and June showed Raven and Natalie to front seats of the neatly arranged folded metal chairs that line the room in rows. A mischievous grin played on her lips. This was her turf now, she called the shots.

Clearing her throat, Eloise lifted her chin. She was now the center of attention, just the way she liked it. "Welcome, to what will change your life for the better. Tonight, we rid the world of Evil. Tonight, we cleanse our souls and make a new start for the year." She held out her arms, dipping her head back. "Tonight we purge!" She shouted up to the Heavens above them.

Cheers, cat-calls, whistling, joyous cries of laughter, thundering feet, all shook the very foundation the house settled on top of.

The television in the corner blared to life, a blue screen shining bright. June stood, holding out Eloise's mask. The snap of strings filled the momentary silence as masks were applied, each pair of eyes glued to the screen. Waiting for the female to speak.

"This is not a test. This is your emergency broadcast system announcing the commencement of the annual Purge sanctioned by the U.S. Government. Weapons of class IV and lower have been authorized for use during The Purge. All other weapons are restricted. Government officials of ranking 10 have been granted immunity from The Purge and shall not be harmed. Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder will be legal for twelve continuous hours. Police, fire, and emergency medical service will be unavailable until tomorrow morning at 7a.m., when The Purge concludes. Blessed be our new founding fathers and America, a nation reborn. May God be with you all."

The voice went silent and Eloise turned to her group. "Keep your masks on at all times!"

The siren blared to life, signaling the beginning of The Purge. Weapons were picked up and each masked face stood, turning to the stairs.

"Tonight we change everything." Eloise said loudly and held up her arms, raising her gun. "For those who survive will meet us here tomorrow evening. Have fun Purging."

Pounding feet, creaking stairs, and the whoops of joy filled the soundings as Eloise watched her own Army disappear into the night. Marly and June waved at Eloise, slipping into the crowd, June tugging Raven with a freshly polished manicured hand. Eloise stood next to Natalie, dropping the gun.

"Are you ready Nat?" She asked, holding the gun out to the eight year old.

Natalie wrapped her fingers around the handle. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"I love you Natty."

"I love you to Sissy."

Eloise Blackwell, Marly Abernathy, and June Sawitus were dangerous girls when given the right weapons. The Blackwell family was much worse, screwing Eloise's mind even deeper into her dark obsession. No one knew. It was why they wore the masks.

Eloise had brought together the darkest, twisted minds she could find, to cleanse their souls. She had grown up with The Purge blessing her and her family greatly every year. It was something she wanted to share.

That night would change it all.

Eloise grinned icily. "So Natty, who do you want to kill first?"