the purge - matthew espinosa [a / u]

chapter four.

chapter four.

sliding my arms one my one through the sleeves of matthew's hoodie, i pulled it over my head, slowly covering the ammo and guns i had strapped to me. i gripped the ends of the sleeves between my fingers, my palms already sweaty. so this wasn't one of my best ideas, but it was our only option.

"everybody ready?" my brother asked, inspecting each of us in the make-shift line up we'd formed. i solemnly nodded, bracing myself for whatever we would face out on those dark streets, dully lit by the dim street lights. i felt arms wrap around me from behind and i nearly screamed, letting out a small yelp.

"whoa, whoa, calm down, it's just me," a familiar voice said softly, with a shaky laugh. i let out a sigh of relief, leaning back into him.

"that's why she reacted that way, duh," violet teased. i smiled to myself, the rest of the group snickering. i let out a sigh of relief, leaning back into him. if it weren't for my friends being here with me, i would have been too afraid to even unlock the door.

jack didn't really say anything, wearing a tight smile. jacey reached out for his hand, lacing their fingers and rubbing her thumb across the back of his hand. "we're going to be okay," she said soothingly, nearly in a whisper.

kassidy coughed into her hand, aiming to get our attention. "yes, kassidy?" brielle questioned. shawn gave his girlfriend that, "be nice," look that you give your six-year old who won't share his toys. she just rolled her eyes at him, focusing her attention on kassidy.

"hm? oh, i was just thinking, why don't j.j. and i stay back and hold down the fort?" she smiled sweetly, and johnson inhaled with impatience. he hated the nickname j.j, and he was fully aware of what, "hold down the fort," meant.

jack shook his head and scoffed, and sammy mumbled under his breath, "more like hold johnson down." matt and i snickered, my brother glaring at our immaturity.

"guys, we have to stop stalling," sighed matt. i nodded and leaned my head back on his shoulder. jack agreed, as did the rest of the party. he let go of me, stepping forward and pressing the keypad next to the door, disarming the alarm system. this was really happening.

he reached for the door handle and i looked around at my friends, feeling a rush of guilt at the fear in their eyes. "wait-" i said, stepping forward. they all wore confused expressions, and i could see the relief wash over jacey's face. "i just want to say that i love you guys," i began, "more than anything. you guys are my best friends, and i couldn't do this without you guys."

we closed in on each other, gathering in one, large group hug. i felt comfort, and looked between my friends. i noticed kassidy standing back hesitantly. "ah, get over here," i laughed softly, and she smiled a genuine smile, joining in.

"whatever happens, we stick together, got it?" my brother asked. we all nodded reassuringly, splitting up reluctantly. matthew quickly grabbed my hand, and we lined up in front of the door, one-by-one.

i stood on my tip toes, whispering to my brother, "i got your back, always.' he turned back, smiling slightly.

"likewise, rion." and with that we were out the door, into the dark, dangerous city. creeping along the sidewalk, we began in the direction of jack and i's apartment building. shouts of victory echoed throughout the atmosphere, as well as cries of defeat- and presumably, death.

i stumbled over a crack in the side walk, nearly knocking over my brother who walked alongside his lover, jacey. matthew grabbed my hand, pulling me back. "woah, watch your step, darling," he whispered. i nodded.

ordinarily the pet name darling would've set off a herd of butterflies in my tummy, but the current situation we were in was no place for a delicate little butterfly, not at all.