Amitywood
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11th April 1999: 1:41am - The Presidential Offices
President Argee awoke with a start, like someone had just screamed in his ear. He jumped up, so hard that his chair collapsed behind him. Staring around him he could see he was alone, and that he had once again fallen asleep at his desk. The door creaked open and a security officer peered in.
"Is everything ok, sir?", he asked
"Yes, yes... fine... are they still outside?", Argee replied, clutching his head with the sudden remembrance of his headache.
"I'm afraid so, sir. They're very persistent. Can I get you anything?"
"No, I'll be fine... thank you", he replied while propping the chair back up and taking a seat, while letting out a giant sigh
And the crowds were still outside.
It had been only 7 hours ago that the newly appointed president had made his speech, which blamed Catholics for the death of President Galloway and called on an end to all 'unnecessary' Catholic organisations, but already the protests, and even riots had gotten underway, in Capital City worst of all.
Outside the Presidential Offices, about a mile from the front door, at the front gates to the complex, barricades had been put up and a section of the army was presently struggling to keep an angry crowd from breaking through the gates and storming the Offices. Tomorrow re-enforcements would arrive, but by tomorrow the crowd was expected to double in size. Argee stared out across the grounds, clutching his well-used Scotch glass in one hand and propping himself against the window frame with the other.
Suddenly he heard a whisper. Then the whisper became an incoherent voice. Then the voice became a scream. He felt dizzy and confused and then he lost consciousness altogether.
The Security officer came darting into the room after hearing the President's scotch glass drop to see if there was a problem.
"Are you ok, Mr President?", he said, alarmed, as he saw the President standing, staring blankly into space
"I'm fine.", replied Baxter, attempting to sound as normal as possible, but sounding monotonous "I must get to Amitywood."
"Amitywood, sir? Why?"
"Nevermind that. Just arrange for me to go.", he spoke, feeling angry though you couldn't tell it from his robotic voice
"Ok, sir. What about the crowds? We can't get you past them", the guard signaled outside
Baxter turned President Argee's body around so he could look through his eyes out to the crowd. He stared blankly for a few minutes, quietly surprised that the crowds had come out so soon, though he quite expected them to come sometime.
"I must get to Amitywood.", he repeated "Kill them."
"Sir? I can't..."
Before he could finish his sentence Baxter had raised Argee's arm and a blue glow seemed to wisp through the air and into the guards eyes.
"Yes. Kill them.", he said blandly, as he turned to exit
Baxter was wondering if it was two soon to start the war, but no matter. He had to get to Amitywood before Blue Canary managed to tell anyone who might believe him about his plans. It was a slim chance but there was a chance that even now Baxter could fail, and he couldn't let that happen.
The door opened again and the captain in charge of the armed forces outside stepped in followed by the security guard.
"Sir,", began the captain "I have... some unusual orders this guard claims you have given"
"Yes. Kill them. Kill the crowd.", Baxter made Argee say
He then raised Argee's arm and a further blue wisp flowed towards the captain.
"Yes. Kill them.", he repeated and left the room
Baxter turned to the window and raised Argee's arm to point towards the line of soldiers who were lined up outside.
"Kill them.", he whispered
In a few moments of almost complete silence, save for the occasional shout audible from across the grounds, there was a sudden sound of repeated gun-fire, followed by screams, followed by more gun-fire, car engines & more screams. Then there was silence. The door opened and the Guard walked in.
"Your car is outisde, sir."
"Thank you.", Baxter made Argee said.
Baxter managed to make Argee let out a slight grin before he made him follow the guard to his car and got inside.
The silver car drove out the gates, past the rows upon rows of dead and dying people and sped off on it's way to Amitywood.
(to be continued...)
