The 2nd Hour

****WARNING: SEXUAL REFERENCES****

I assembled as many weapons as I could onto myself; strapped guns, pocket knives, grenades, wire, taser, and a bullet proof vest. That vest may not have saved my dad but I will wear it with pride in honour of him. I don't really care if I die out there. To be honest I am beyond caring about anything except finding my dad's killer.

As I disarmed the house, I had a fleeting thought about Damien...I hope he makes it but at the same time finding him is not my main priority right now. I hopped on a motorbike, which dad taught me to ride with one hand on the clutch and the other holding a gun. I broke many bones but they were all worth it.

Speeding down the streets, I can see how anarchic and dangerous it had already gotten. Shit. It's only the 2nd hour and there's fire blazing, bodies piling and red vandalism everywhere. I knew I couldn't stay on the bike for long, soon I'd be forced on foot.

I can run.

"You did this last year , Elle. You can do it again." I tell myself. Violent scenes immediately flooded my mind.

"Dad, it's too late! We're locked out! We're going to die!" I panicked. I was a hyperventilating mess, wild eyes and tattered clothes.

"Shh, we are not going to die. Do you hear me? I am not going to let you die." Dad cupped my face and looked at me fiercely. I nodded in response, whimpering a little. He sighed and pulled me into a tight hug. I smelt blood on him and tried to force in the tears. It was the first time I seen so much blood. So much death. So much anguish.

I didn't know what my bike hit but it skidded on the road, aggressively swerving into a street pole. I was thrown off, smashing into a post box, thank god I had a helmet or else that would have been a dent to the skull.

I groaned and peeled the helmet off to assess the damage on my body. It was just sore, no broken bones or anything life threatening. I got up and dragged the bike on the sidelines, hoping I could get back on it later. Doubt it, the wheels are busted.

I scanned the road and there were spikes set up as traps but I have not encountered anyone suspicious yet.

After I retrieved a loaded handgun I began to lightly jog down the clotted streets, dodging makeshift grenades, it's somewhat more dangerous considering their using glass bottles. I tried to open doors on the way, it's futile, their all locked. Oh well I just have to keep going when I heard screaming-

"Please, I don't have anything. Please don't kill me!" Definitely female, probably my age. I raced to the scene. A hooded man had her by the throat, before I had time to shoot him, he already stabbed her in the chest. The girl's lifeless face turned to me for a split second before sliding down the wall she was held against.

"I have a gun, you have a knife. I don't like to play fair so I suggest you co-operate." I said in a voice I hardly recognise. Since when I did get this hostile? Since I watched my dad's televised execution.

The hooded man turned to me with a rueful laugh.

"I don't take orders from a little girl." He said, waving the knife at me. I shot him in the shoulder and he stumbled back, cursing aloud. "You fucking b-"

"Then who do you take orders from?" I demanded. I closed in on him, gun aimed at his balls. He looked a little grief-stricken.

"You won't make the next hour to find him," He coughed. I kind of liked how inferior he was to me. But I needed him to take me seriously so I crouched down to his level and stabbed him in the thigh with my pocket knife. I made sure to disarm his knife as well. "Teenagers are the worst killers. It's easier for them to turn off their humanity and become demons." He muttered.

My muscles tensed up at his words.

"I'm not doing this for fun." I said sternly. Then I turned to the girl he just murdered and scoffed. "Could I say the same for you?" He looked at his victim and shook his head.

"She was weak." He spat.

I drove the knife I disarmed from him into his other thigh, pinning both legs down. He groaned loudly but remained helplessly on the ground as a bloodied mess.

"She was defenceless!" Argh what am I doing, arguing about the dead, I'm straying from my plan. I grabbed him by the neck, forcing his hood back. He looked like he was in his late thirties; scruff on his chin, crooked teeth and bloodshot eyes. "Did you see the execution?" My voice was rough and full of pain.

A smile cracked on the man's face.

"So that's why you're here. I'm just going to blatantly guess he's your father. He's a stupid man, deserved to be crucified-"

"He was killed because he saved people-"

"He was killed because he interfered! Tonight, is supposed to be about cleansing the streets, allowing a release from the Law. It's The Purge. You either purge or die!" He emphasised.

I considered this, but only for a moment.

"All crime, including murder, with be legal for twelve continuous hours," I mimicked the VoiceOver. "Your Government thanks you for your participation." And with that I got up and aimed the gun to one of his eye sockets.

"Don't fool yourself kid. You can't escape from the truth. You're just another demon on the streets of Hell."

It ended up being two bullets to the head.

"And you're just another body to add to the heap." I muttered before I moved on.

Can't let myself be so distracted. Can't let them get to me. Can't save anyone. I just can't look back.

I urged myself to sprint as gangs started passing by, loudly chanting some satanic song while shooting bullets in the air. I didn't flinch at the sound, which surprised me. How have I grown so cold? I was so scared last year. Right now I'm just merciless.

"Hey shorty!" I heard someone call out. I whipped my head around, guns at my disposal. Three gang members with red bandanas approached me. The others were occupied elsewhere. I backed away cautiously. "She's fine looking. Lets not waste that." The guy in the middle nudged his friends. He had dark coloured skin and gold plated teeth.

I remembered seeing them gather at my dad's execution. They helped lit the hay and set him on fire. They were there chanting. They were there!

But if I shoot now I will alert the rest of the team and I am dangerously outnumbered. Shit.

"But we gotta kill as many as we can." The other speculated. I'm guessing their playing the notorious Purge game. The gang who kills the most gets all the money that was robbed that night. It happened last year. They invented a specific killing method to determine which gang killed who. Some took out the teeth, others gauged the eyes or chopped off fingers.

These red bandannas guys seem more like a rape gang, judging from the vibe I'm getting. They were literally discussing whether or not they should nail me to satiate their horny asses or kill me for the game.

"We could just kill her after we're done." The guy with the gold platted teeth suggested. I knew I can't outrun them. So my only option is to get taken and then find a way of escape. Otherwise they are going to kill me.

"Okay shorty. You're coming with us."

I put my guns in their straps, which was useless because they pinned me to the wall and frisked me. They took all my weapons and my groped my body shamelessly, snickering to each other. I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from screaming.

"I'm guessing she's like an C cup." I heard.

"Double C." I corrected them as they escorted me into the back of their Jeep. There were about another five of them, all had red bandanas either on their head or concealing their face. One of them slapped my butt as I was hoisted up.

"Yeah, you did good. Lets head to the brothel." They nodded at me, probably a little too hopeful about the Gang rape they wished to pursue. The thought made me sick to the stomach. But I restrained myself from vomiting.

The ride was rocky and loud. The guys beside me keep flirting and stroking my inner thighs. I just tolerated it. Made it look like I submitted. While the others go over the weapons they took from me.

"Where did you get all this shorty?"

"I stole them." I replied bluntly.

"Mind telling us where?" They promoted.

I forced a smile. "Maybe if you let me go."

They burst out laughing.

Don't worry Elle, you can kill them one by one. Or all. Maybe if I'm able to get my hand on a grenade, things could go my way.

"Shorty, we're almost there, wanna loosen some clothes?" I felt his hand slither to my bullet proof vest. I twisted his hand back.

"Don't touch me." I warned him. He back handed me and kicked me in the ribs, didn't really feel the kick due to the vest but then I had three on me, forcing it off. The jeep stopped abruptly to a place on the boulevard. I heard music blaring inside. I'm guess this is the brothel. I got dragged into it by rough calloused hands. They led me up stinking corridors and stairs. Everything was hazy. I saw many drugged up girls being played with like dolls. Shit. Shit. Shit.

"Hey! This one just came in, she's a little fiesty." He leant in closer to me and I smelt alcohol on his breath. "She likes it rough." He licked my cheek and tossed me into a room.

"Wait let's see her!" I heard someone call. The door opened and I saw a tall lean figure walk in with a red bandanna on his head. He had sleeved tattoos exposed and when he saw me, there was a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.

It was quiet for a moment.

"Do you know her?" One of them asked.

He looked me in the eye and said no. I couldn't help but crack a smile of disbelief.

"Do you know him?" They asked me.

"No," I replied, flatly. I watched Damien's chest heave as he failed to make further eye contact. Unbelievable. "This is the first time, I am seeing him for who he truly is."

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A/N

2nd hour - witnessed another murder, killed a man, got kidnapped by a gang of red bandanas, weaponless, trapped in a brothel with boyfriend on opposing team. Shit.

If you haven't caught on already you should know that I like to plot twist ... A lot ahaha I just write whatever comes to mind, no prior planning.

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