Remember All the Good the Purge Does - A Polite Stranger Story

Chapter 5

He stared directly at the camera, knowing we were staring right back at him. Assuming he could see his reflection in the lens, he fixed his hard before smiling straight at us. My eyes wandered, looking behind him at the group he had brought with him. Whether that was the group he was with at the grocery store or not, it was still a terrifying sight. If they were to get inside, they outnumbered us. While my dad did have weapons in his safe, it still would not be enough to hold them off. His group surrounded the place. Even if we could get past him, there is no doubt we would be slaughtered before we could take a step out on the street. Why can they not find someone else to release their anger? Who knows but they are here to get what they want and they will try and get it no matter who dies in the process.

I watched as the smile on his face got bigger before speaking. No sound was heard. My dad must have muted the sound after we heard those gun shoots outside or perhaps when Charlie heard the homeless man plead for help. "Dad, that one's trying to say something," I said, not taking my eyes off from the screen. From the corner of my eye, my dad reaches towards the pad to turn the sound back on. As he did, the screen focused on his face as he spoke directly at my dad.

"Mr. Sandin, your home tells me you're good folk, just like us. One of the haves," He starts, licking his lips slightly before speaking once again. "And your blue flowers tell me that you support the Purge. We want to treat you fairly, so listen closely. Let me introduce ourselves. We are some fine, young, very educated guys and gals." I snorted a bit, rolling my eyes. Very educated? If you were educated, you would know the Purge is nothing but a cash cow for the government.

"We have gotten gussied up in our most terrifying guises, as we do every year, ready to violate, annihilate, and cleanse our souls. But things took a turn. Our target escaped us, and... Several of your dear neighbors informed us that you, the Sandin's, have inexplicably given him sanctuary. Mr. and Mrs., the man that you are sheltering is nothing but a dirty, homeless pig. A grotesque menace to our just society who had the audacity to fight back, killing one of us when we attempted to execute him tonight. The pig doesn't know his place, now he needs to be taught a lesson. You need to return him to us. Alive. So, we may Purge as we are entitled. Here's the plan, Sandin's. You can either deliver him to us alive or give up your two beautiful daughters. You have until our provisions arrive, provisions which will help us break into your elegant home." I looked over at my parents and then at Charlie, my heart starting to race. I clenched my fists, holding them to the side to try and keep myself calm during his speech.

"If you don't... If you don't deliver him by the aforementioned time, we'll release the beast on him... and on you. And, um, we can enter any home we want. And we will want as wanting is our will on this fine night." His smile grew back on his face, showing how wicked he and his group really are. "Don't force us to hurt you. We don't want to kill our own. Please, just let us Purge." He said as he smiled at us, almost laughing manically after saying it. "Toodle-oo, Sandins." He finished as he fixed his tie before turning around and walking down the steps. He spoke again, but it was barely audible. The power suddenly shut off. I gasped before the backup generator turned the security system back on. We all stood there in silence, looking around the room. I did not realize until now the I was gripping onto Charlie's shirt. I quickly let go, putting my hands to my sides like before.

"What do we do now?" I asked, waiting for a response. No one said a word. My dad walked towards the door, opening it to peek outside, seeing that the lights were indeed off. We were in complete darkness.

"The monitor's working on the backup. The power's out around the whole house." He said as he closed the door, facing us. I let out a shaky breath, looking over at my mom.

"James, they can't get in here, right? They can't get into our home." She said as we all looked at my dad, looking for a hopeful answer. Deep down inside, however, I knew the response was not going to be at all what we hoped for.

"I don't know. It's hard to say." He said as he leaned against the door.

"You don't know? Dad, you sell these security systems. What do you mean, you don't know?" I asked, crossing my arms, clearly panicking at our current situation. Never have I thought this would happen to me. To us. "That psycho out there wants the man or us. We can't... We can't just give the man or ourselves up." I finished, staring at him.

"We have tested the system. It works 99% of the time. It looks good. It's strong. People stay away." He said. I swallowed the lump in my throat. It clearly could not keep those people away. I turn around, walking towards the darkest corner of the room, ignoring the useless bickering. I stare at the blank wall, not caring to watch the screen. I can imagine my death so vividly. I did not realize until now the tears streaming down my face. I quickly wipe them away before any of my parents could see. I should be upset at Charlie for letting the man in, but I am not. That man should not have to die for their enjoyment. It is not fair. Suddenly, bile rushes up to my throat as I picture our gruesome deaths.

"I... I have to go," I said before running out of the room to the nearest bathroom. I got down on my knees, letting everything out. I flush the toilet before leaning against the wall, sitting in complete darkness. Part of me hopes we could survive tonight but they outnumber us. We do not know where Zoey is, nor would Charlie be willing to help us. It is just three of us against them. "Fuck!" I screamed into my hands. I jumped when there was loud banging against the door.

"Dear Mr. Sandin!" Rhys called out, continuing to knock on the door. I stood up from the group, walking over to the door. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'd love to have a word." I stood as far away as I could while still before able to see outside from the tiny window provided by the security system. I went to hide back into the shadows, but it was too late. He spotted me. He tiled his head to the side, his eyes piercing into mine. His eyes were as blue as the sea but void of any emotion. "Little lady Sandin."

"Please, just leave us alone. My brother, he's just a little kid. He didn't know any better." I plead, walking close towards the door. He closed his eyes, finding my begging amusing. He chuckled slightly before reopening his eyes to stare back into mine. Just by the look in his eyes, he was not playing around nor did he want to play any games until he got what he wanted.

"Save your begging. You'll have plenty of time to beg when we get into your home." He said, sending a wink my way. I gulped. "Mr. Sandin meet me by your front door. I just need a moment, good sir." He said, clearly done conversing with me. I looked behind me, seeing my dad flash his light at me, causing me to squint my eyes as he approached. He pushed me behind him, staring directly at Rhys.

"There you are. Thank you for accepting my invitation." He smirks at me, looking like the devil. "Having your daughter protect you, that's nice. Now, tell me, why haven't you delivered the filthy swine to me yet?" He said, staring blankly into my dad's eyes. "Are you protecting him? I surely hope not, Mr. Sandin. For your sake and your daughter's sake."

"No. Of course not." My dad said as Rhys tilted his head once more, staring back at me. "We just can't find him. You see, this is a misunderstanding. My son let him in. He's a young boy. He doesn't know better." Rhys began to smile, even more, laughing silently. "But I support what occurs here tonight 100%, okay?" He continues to laugh, thinking how absurd my dad's explanation is, not believing the word leaving his mouth. From the corner of my eye, I see one of the men from his group approach the door.

"Just give us the homeless pig, you fuck!" The male freak yelled at my dad, still hidden behind his mask. I see a gun appear and I jumped once the trigger was pulled, killing the freak immediately. Rhys just killed one of his own. Tears formed in my eyes, watching the blood splatters on the tiny window drip down like raindrops. Rhys sighs, putting his gun away.

"Sorry about that. I don't condone that kind of behavior. But just keep in mind, Mr. Sandin... He was my friend, and you are not." He squinted his eyes at my dad, clearly sensing the fear radiating off of us. "Our equipment is arriving soon. And we will get it. Send out he, or that... Will be thee." He smiled widely once again, clearly aiming his smile towards me. He wants us to fail. He wants to get in. He wants to get his hands on my family and on me. By the look on his face, he can't wait to get in. "I don't want to hurt your beautiful daughter, but I will if I have to and trust me... I want to." I backed up, clearly disturbed by the words that left his mouth. I continued to back up until my back hit the wall. In a short while, these walls that are meant to protect us will be ripped from us and then we will wish we were dead.