The Purge

Pt. 17

Alissa felt like shit. Her shoulder and leg ached, her eyes were red and raw from crying and her throat felt cut up and sore. But nothing compared to the guilt that was eating her alive. 

She blamed herself for Max's fate. She asked herself over and over 'what would've happened if I fought a little harder to save Max? What would've happened if I had rushed to Max's side immediately, like Ava did?' No matter how many times she asked herself, or tried to convince herself it wasn't her fault, she came to the same conclusion. It was her fault, and it always will be.

Alissa gazed out at the landscape rolling past her, the cold of the window soothing against her face. It was too early in spring for the winter weather to disappear completely, leaving a dreary - and rather sad-looking - landscape. 

Alissa didn't have a clue where they were going, and if she was being honest, she didn't really care; nothing mattered to her anymore. She didn't see the point in carrying on without Max. Even if she didn't get along with everyone, she is still an important asset to the team. Was an important asset to the team.

Alissa heard voices and conversations occurring around her, but couldn't make out any distinct words, as if she was wearing headphones. Instead of trying to concentrate on hearing the words, she concentrated on blocking them out.

As Alissa continued to gaze out the window, everything she saw reminded her of Max. She saw Max's blue-grey eyes in the dreary blue sky, Max's flowing red hair in the flowing grass and rustling tree leaves, Max's sarcasm and witty comebacks in the sharp chirps of birds. Alissa's mind darted back to the fire burning throughout the warehouse and how the colour of the flames perfectly matched the shade of Max's hair. 

Absent-mindedly, Alissa flicked a strand of hair away from her mouth. As she removed her hand, she felt a sticky substance stay on her lips. Alissa's eyes flickered down to her hands. She gagged as she saw the red liquid that coated them. An acidic feeling swelled in her throat and saliva filled her mouth. She retched, emptying the contents of her stomach into the car. A horrible sour smell filled the car as Alissa retched repeatedly. Tears filled her eyes as Ava frantically tried to hold her hair back.

Sam pulled over as quickly as he could, repeatedly swearing under his breath. He ran a hand through his black hair as he turned around to face Alissa, her vomiting turning into dry-retching.

Lucas ran out of the passenger seat and opened the door to Alissa's seat. He undid Alissa's seatbelt and quickly took her in his arms, ignoring the vomit and blood on her face and clothes. He gently rocked her side to side, whispering soft assurances into her hair.

Tired and sore, Alissa hugged him back, crying into his shoulder, repeating apologies between sobs.

Lucas pulled away from the hug and took her face in his hands. "You have nothing to be sorry for." His eyes studied her blood and vomited coated face, a small laugh escaped his mouth. "By the way, you look like shit."

Alissa sniffled through a small laugh. "Thanks." She leant back into Lucas, allowing his arms to envelop her again.

As he looked at the two, Sam felt a twinge in his chest. He didn't feel bad about Max's death, did that make him a bad person? No, he decided, it just meant that he has already been exposed to death before. He was used to it by now, numb. He had to be. Besides, he knew something like this would happen. He had prepared for every obstacle, including this one. That's exactly what Max's death was to him; an obstacle. So then why did he feel sad at the scene unfolding before him; Alissa in Lucas' arms, crying over spilled blood.

Finally, Alissa let go of Lucas. She went to wipe the tears away from her eyes but paused, remembering the blood that still covered her hands. She swallowed down the acidic taste that rose in her throat, refusing to let the vomit take over her again.

Instead, Alissa sat up straighter and wiped her hands on the sides of her leggings. "Where are we going?" She asked, wincing at how hoarse her voice sounded. 

Ava and Lucas turned towards Sam expectantly. 

Sam glanced out the window and spun his bracelet slowly, contemplating if he should tell them. He moved his eyes to focus back on the three in the back, his eyes landing on Alissa's. She turned her head to the side and raised an eyebrow questioningly, eagerly awaiting an answer.

Sam took a deep breath and kept his eyes trained on Alissa's. "We're going to an abandoned trailer park."