––––––––
The advancing agents began firing as soon as they sighted their fellow protectors. Several Secret Service agents in the front of the stage managed to draw their guns and return fire, though most never had a chance to react. Blood from the nearest victim sprayed onto the stage by Thomas' feet. He jerked back in shock and revulsion.
The crowd, unruly only seconds before, was stunned into silence.
Spinning around, the president faced the men who were sworn to protect him.
"James, what the he—"
The agent he addressed shot him in the foot. A roar of agony escaped him as he fell to the floor clutching his injured extremity.
Chaos ensued as the bystanders tried to escape in every direction.
Police officers that had been placed throughout the crowd came running forward, weapons drawn. Officer Jones, a short but very muscular man, stopped at the edge of the stage, gun pointed at the agent who just shot the president.
"Freeze!"
Instead of complying, the agent swung his pistol toward the officer. Jones didn't hesitate, putting a bullet through the agent's left eye, sending him crashing backward. Leaping up beside the podium, he reached for the wounded POTUS when his stomach burned as if it caught fire. Looking down, he saw a soupy redness spreading across the front of his uniform. Two more rounds punctured his chest, sending him tumbling over the podium.
Murdock stood in place, reveling in the madness. Helpless fools ran around him like chickens with their heads cut off. The sounds of approaching sirens only meant more kindling for the fire.
One of the president's advisors ran onto the stage, trying to drag him away. Murdock had one of the three remaining agents shoot her in the temple from point blank range. President Thomas yelled in confusion and fear as he tried to stop her brains from leaking out.
Look at the most powerful man in the free world, shouting and crying like the weakling he is.
President Thomas strained his neck around in every direction, trying to see where the voice came from.
You shouldn't have left me to die in that hellhole. Watch what your stupidity has wrought.
Murdock ignored his pleading and attempts at justification. If he thought he could debate his way out of this then he was more incompetent than anyone knew.
A black limousine tore across the field behind the monument, dodging fleeing people by inches. As the presidential state car slowed by the stage, Murdock locked onto the driver's mind, forcing him to mash the accelerator to the floor.
Swerving into the crowd, he plowed through them, painting the grill and hood red. People crunched under the fender as the large car cut a path like a snowplow in the winter. Looking through the driver's eyes, Murdock spotted a woman pushing a stroller as fast as she could, trying to get her baby to safety. Angling the limo at them, he let out a maniacal laugh while he wondered if this would get him a double point score.