Calum, Luke, Michael, and Ashton are complete strangers to Jewel at first but when they end up together on the most dangerous night of the year they become close. Follow them on their quest to stay alive
"Honey be careful. Come home straight away after school. Tonight they're purging." My mom says as I swallow down my last forkful of eggs. "I know mom." I say. I kiss my little brother on the forehead and I race up the stairs and grab my school uniform. I hurry to put it on before the neighborhood pervert comes to speak to me.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I hop on my skate board and ride to school. "Jewel! Hurry up! They're talking about the purge in the gymnasium." My best friend shouts from the schools corridor. I pick up my skate board and run inside. "Students as you all know, the annual purge will commence tonight at Seven O'clock PM. And so this year Mount Oakland High school will be opening it doors at Six O'clock to anyone without a lockdown system. And to make sure it's completely safe for our students and their families we will have metal detectors and armed security in our front corridor. The capacity is one hundred forty five people so we are on a first come first serve basis. After we have reached our limit no one will be allowed into the building until Seven O'five AM. We will lay out mats for sleeping purposes but you must bring your own blankets pillows etcetera. Food is allowed into the building but must be checked by security for safety reasons. And donations are welcome from students and their families. Any questions?" Principal Howard asks. No one raises their hand. "Ok if that's all you may pass to your second period class." He says. We all gather our belongings and file out of the gym. "Hey Jew. Isn't it cool that they're letting people stay in the school for the purge?" Lizbeth asks. I nod stiffly. "What's wrong?" She asks. "Nothing Lizzy. I'm fine." I lie. Truth is, ever since my grandfather died a year ago during the purge it's makes me doubt the stability of our government and the whole purge thing just puts me in a bad place. She nods and keeps walking and talking while I clutch my books to my chest. When we get to class I sit behind Liz's boyfriend. I tap him on the shoulder "hey colton can I borrow a pencil?" I ask. "Anything for you Ma'lady." He says handing me a pencil.
We get out of school Eleven Thirty since today was a half day. I hop on my skate board and get home as fast as possible. "I'm home mom!" I shout. No response. I walk into the kitchen. There's a note taped to the fridge.
'Dear jewel,
I am in new York now to help your grandmother get through the purge so she isn't alone. Your brother is at Aunt Meghan and uncle Gary's house. You are to go get him at 3:00 and Aunt Sunny will be there so that you all will have an adult with you during the purge. Your dad will not be home, he's with Aunt Jenny and Uncle Dom. Stay safe honey I'll be home at 8:00 tomorrow morning. I love you. Give your brother hugs and kisses for me.
