The Purge

Pt 16

The rest of the team were already eating a measly breakfast of baked beans on bread by the time Lucas and Alissa came out of the room.

Lucas sat down, running a hand through his hair. If he was being honest, Lucas didn't get why they had to eat these measly scraps. After all, stealing is perfectly legal now. 

"How'd everyone sleep?" Ava asked quietly, attempting to start a conversation.

Alissa and Max found each other's eyes from across the room. Max shook her head, the slightest movement that only someone who was paying attention could catch. 

Sam ignored the question, staring into the flame of his lighter as he absent-mindedly flicked it on and off. 

Lucas was the only one who answered the question. Like Ava, he desperately wanted to break some of the tension. "Could've been better. The floor is nothing like the king single back home, that's for sure. Y'all really couldn't've gotten some mattresses for us?" 

Ava let out a quiet laugh, causing Lucas to smile. The pair looked at each other and Lucas gave her a quick wink, resulting in an obvious eye role from Sam.

"You're seriously flirting at a time like this?" Sam sneered, flicking his lighter off.

"Don't pretend like there's nothing going on between you and 'Liss," Lucas scoffed. 

"Lucas!" Alissa's reprimanded, her face flushing a light shade of pink. 

"Or are you just jealous, Sam? I swing both ways y'know," Lucas blew a kiss at Sam.

Sam set his jaw and stared at Lucas. If looks could kill, Lucas would be dead on the floor.

Ava let out a burst of laughter which she poorly disguised as a cough. She threw a glance at Lucas to find his brown eyes staring directly at her. A smile passed across both of their faces.

Alissa untucked her blonde hair from behind her ear, allowing it to fall perfectly over her face, hiding the smile that was slowly spreading across her face. She pushed down the giggle that was trying to burst out. 

Max however, made no effort to cover her laughter. She clutched her side as loud cackles escaped her mouth. Her nose and face crinkled as she laughed. Tears streamed down her face as her laughter died down. Max still held her side, her face still scrunched. No, not scrunched - twisted. A struggled noise escaped her mouth as she slid off her chair, doubling over. The back of her green plaid shirt now had a darkened spot that slowly seeped bigger and bigger. 

Everyone's smiles immediately dropped as they spotted a bloodied knife behind Max's camp chair.

Ava rushed over to Max. "Max? Max can you hear me?"

Max managed to sit up against a wall, clutching her side and taking several laboured breaths. "I'm fine," She hissed through her teeth. 

"Where the fuck did that knife come from?" Lucas asked, his voice raising several octaves, running a hand through his hair.

"I don't know but I'm about to find out," Sam said, pulling his gun out of the holster. His eyes were steely and his jaw was set.  

Lucas put out an arm across Sam's chest, preventing him from advancing. "Dude, what the fuck are you planning on doing? There could be a whole-ass army out there and you're planning on walking in there with a gun. Are you out of your fucking mind?!"

"I can't let them slaughter all of us," Sam pushed against Lucas' arm.

"Then let me come with you. Two is stronger than one," Lucas said, removing his arm and collecting his bat.