January 21st, 2035

The hustle and bustle of Washington DC never failed to amaze as President Nillens stood looking from the balcony. Though the constant honks were annoying at times, it was a welcomed change from the jeers and marches just days before on Pennsylvania Avenue. However, within a few moments, the sound of secretaries speaking at one million miles per second quickly filled the air as they got ever so closer to her room. She sighed as she slowly opened the door, coming eye to eye with the chaos inside. All of a sudden, as she walked through the halls, it seemed as if thousands of people were trying to get her attention at once. Picking up her pace, she nodded and smiled at everyone, much to their dismay.

After a few minutes of walking, the President found herself staring at the Rose garden from her office. She took a glance back at the mess she undoubtedly would have to address later. Instantly, a face popped out from under, sending her hands flying in panic as laughter filled the air.

'Why are you so insistent on scaring me constantly?!' the President demanded as she punched him before sitting down at her desk.

Her husband followed suit as he continued to laugh,

'Y-You should've seen the look on your face! I haven't seen you flail around that much since I proposed to you'.

President Nillens glanced at him with a slightly irked look before crossing her arms.

'You've been tense these past few days-' he said as he tried to glance outside, '-and I figured getting your mind off of everything for at least a second was better than nothing'. As the next few minutes passed, neither of them say anything, with only the sound of the clock and machinery to fill the room.

Finally, the President got up before walking over and leaning on her husband.

'I appreciate the attempt, at the very least' she said smiling.

'Madam President, there's been a development that needs your direct attention', an aide said as they slammed the door wide open. In turn, Nillens quickly kissed her husband on the cheek before following the aide.

'According to major reports and news outlets, mass militia's are gathering up all over the n-'. The light flickered on and off as the entire building shook.

'What was that, Markus?!' the President said as she braced herself. However, before a word was muttered, Nillens caught a glimpse of the outside. Armored cars along with tanks rolled through the streets, along with masses of people banging on the fencing. Six feet above them, a tattered American flag was flown, with a huge Maryland flag right above it.

'Markus, what's going on here? I thought we negotiated with them yesterday?!'

The aide stopped in his tracks before bringing out a card from his left pocket. 'I don't have a lot of answers Madam President. All we know at the moment is that instead of wanting extra freedoms, they're declaring their independence'.

An explosion, from what seemed a few feet away, sounded off as we all felt the building shake to its very core.

'Alright, Madam President, we got to get you down to the bunker. Everyone move it!'. Just before we entered the elevator, the crowds outside could be heard as they started to chant in unison,

'LONG LIVE MARYLAND!'

The bunker was in a frenzy once we were down there. Several groups were arguing to the top of their lungs, while others threw papers down in frustration.

Just as I found my seat, one of the Generals from the other side nodded before handing out several files.

'Madam President-' He said as he pointed to the screen above, 'Reports of armed insurgents having been poppin' up across the country, in almost every state. In addition, reports of militia groups ranging anywhere from 35,000 to 250,000 have been reported in areas like New York City, Maimi, Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles'.

Nillens quietly looked back and forth between the file and screen before asking,

'What about Washington DC, what are we facing here?'. The entire place went silent, everyone's lips pierced shut as someone from one of the nearby desks turned the channel, revealing streets crowded with turned over military vehicles. Along with it, the reporter on scene pointed towards the crowds as he commented,

'Folks, riots have been taking place for a few minutes, but already over one million have been reported here, protesting outside the White House gates. And as you can hear right under us, these crowds can be heard chanting "Long Live Maryland"'. Suddenly, the reporter stopped for a moment before continuing,

'It seems we're getting reports this is an Independence movement, like those being found across the nation at the moment. How these organizations popped up is still a big question floating on people's minds as this year continues to get more and more chaotic- WATCH OUT!'.

For a split second, a trail of smoke could be seen on screen before the broadcast was suddenly cut.

The next second later, the screen showed drone footage from right above the White House. As it spun around, smoke and bright yellow flames spotted the area as far it could see, with no apparent end to the crowds either.

As the weight of the situation became apparent, everyone sat down.

Some cried. Some clung to their knees. Others just watched the footage as the riots broke down the fencing, making their way to inside the White House.

Breaking the silence, the same general got up, standing in front of the President as he said,

'It's been an honor, Madam President'.