Safe Street - A Purge Fanfic

CHAPTER ONE

The streets had become silent, no one willing to risk getting caught outside when it all started. Tension practically vibrated in the air, at least to the humans who had reason to be scared. The rest of the world celebrated a pleasant evening. The sun touched the horizon the red light bleeding into the air, dying the clouds pink. Birds sang their goodnight calls while the evening creatures stretched themselves awake. Nature, at least, found respite in mans nervous hiding and the evening continued in a temporary peace.

Middle class family's lived in middle class neighborhoods, the suburbs. Homeless people would sometimes make their way down to these neighborhoods, hoping for a safe place to hide from the radical group that tried to hunt them down. Aside from them teenagers tended to be the only menace to those out of the way neighborhoods. The wealthy could try and "cleanse" the world and the poor could try and better their lives, but the inbetweeners never took any chances. They had nothing to gain and everything to lose.

There was still a full half hour till it started. People peered out of their windows, watching for the warning signs of anyone getting ready to make use of the deadly law. Some of the more cautious family's were already activating their enhanced security, shutting themselves in for the night. The few brave people who were getting their last minuet outdoor chores done before locking up were forced to listen to the clanging of bars and iron doors as their neighbors closed up before them. 

As time ticked on the metal clang of security systems became a nearly constant noise. Two minuets before 7:00 the last metallic clicks of security faded away and the streets held their breath. The homeless who had made their way into the fearful neighborhood ducked under bushes and darted behind houses, squeezing into any nook or cranny that might provide some semblance of hidden protection. 

One minuet more.

"This is not a test."

A familiar, friendly, fearful sound echoed throughout the neighborhood. People rushed to their windows, hoping to see what was going on. A few nearby were greeted with a sight unheard of for their quiet neighborhood. All six houses on Happy Ln. were opening their garages, the sound nearly over powering the announcers voice.

"This is your emergency broadcast system announcing the commencement of the Annual Purge sanctioned by the U.S. Government. Weapons of class 4 and lower have been authorized for use during the Purge. All other weapons are restricted. Government officials of ranking 10 have been granted immunity from the Purge and shall not be harmed. Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours. Police, fire, and emergency medical services will be unavailable until tomorrow morning at 7 a.m., when The Purge concludes. Blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn. May God be with you all."

From each garage a family stepped out. Newly armored trucks drove out from two of the houses garages and parked on either side of the street, blocking the entrance so no cars could enter or exit the street. Three of the men and one of the women gathered on the street walked to each of the corners, each one holding a gun with confidence. They stood at their posts, ready to stop anyone who might try to enter Happy Ln. The rest of the neighbors gathered in the middle of the newly blocked road.

"Okay," David Heartsford, a graying middle-aged father of two, said to those gathered, "Just like we planned. Let's get to work!"

"Yaa!" The group cheered back to him before dispersing. All of them, from child to grandmother, knew exactly what to do.