6:55 pm, 5 minutes before the Annual Purge

I pulled up directions to Chicago on my phone and confirmed my memory of it being a 2-hour drive. With no time left to waste, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards the interstate to head up north. There were many cars going both ways on the road, most likely to do whatever they planned to do to Purge. I was listening to the radio to listen for the message I usually dreaded to hear, but this year, I was looking forward to it. Finally, at 6:59, there was the buzzing sound of an Emergency Broadcast System. I held my breath as I listened to what the prerecorded female voice said:

"This is not a test. This is your Emergency Broadcast System announcing the commencement of The Annual Purge sanctioned by the U.S. Government."

I couldn't believe I was out in the open and hearing those words being said.

"Weapons of Class 4 and lower have been authorized for use during The Purge. All other weapons are restricted."

I had a pistol, so I was good.

"Government officials of ranking 10 have been granted immunity from The Purge and shall not be harmed."

I wasn't after a government official, so I was good.

"Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours."

12 hours was more than enough time, so I was good.

"Police, fire, and emergency medical services will be unavailable until tomorrow morning at 7 am, when The Purge concludes."

Didn't plan on needing any of those, so I was good.

"Blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn. May God be with you all."

I still find it ironic that what's about to happen is against God's will, yet they expect Him to be with us. And then that's when I heard it. I heard the noise I usually never wanted to hear, but this year I was excited to hear it: a long, low-pitched siren blaring through the radio. I could also hear it outside the car window. It was the siren; The Annual Purge has officially started. I somehow felt joyed that it was that time of the year again. Now that I had a goal in mind, I was excited that people could kill each other for a single night! Before I could think too deeply about it, I could hear horns honking all around me. I looked and saw people pushing each other off the road with their vehicles! These people clearly didn't want to waste a second of the next 12 hours! I decided to follow suit and slammed the gas pedal. I quickly reached up to 100 mph, and I have to say, it felt amazing! Although perhaps I should've thought about it a bit more, because after a few seconds, I felt myself swerving a little bit. I tried to gain control, but it was no use; I accidently swerved off the road and felt myself tipping over! Let me tell you, flipping in a car at 100 mph is not a pretty feeling! Thank God I decided to continue following the seat belt law or my Purge Night would've come to a premature end! After what felt like forever, the vehicle came to a stop. I was upside down, the car was most likely totalled, and I was all alone. Well, this was just perfect; 30 seconds into The Purge and I almost kill MYSELF. I carefully unbuckled my seat belt and fell over. I was hurting everywhere. I thought I might've broken my arm, it hurt so much. I felt it and concluded it wasn't broken. It was probably bruised if anything. I then rolled out of the vehicle and looked around. I was about a half-mile away from the interstate and trees and a fence were right behind me. I could still see cars ramming into each other on the road. It looked like some more cars fell off the road, as well. I just sighed and looked around. To say I was in a bad situation was an understatement; all I needed was for someone to see me and take advantage of my vulnerability. I then headed back into the car, grabbed my supplies, and dashed towards the fence. I didn't know what was waiting for me on the other side, but I knew one thing for sure: this night was going to be interesting.