CHAPTER 84

THE CAR ARRIVED AT THE event location. It parked near the entrance to the stage backstage, the most guarded and fenced-in place at that time. Civilians had no access to that part, unless they were internal participants or technicians of some system.

Kenan Vaine took a deep breath, repeated a series of thoughts that he had prepared to help him mentally and got up from the comfortable leather seat, heading towards the unexpected and feared moment that awaited him. For a moment, he deeply wished he could stay there, comfortable in that luxury car and safe behind that armor.

Devon, you would know the right words to say to me...

Physically he was prepared, thanks to the cocktail of medicines he had tried on the plane and at the hotel, but his spirit was not well.

And now for the show...

The crowd suddenly fell silent, the presenter resumed speaking and announced:

— And now we will welcome the honorable President of the United States of America, Kenan Vaine!

As had happened many times before, a strong emotion took hold of him when he heard the applause. He felt something different every time he was welcomed so warmly by people, but this time it was special.

As he climbed the small staircase that led to the enormous stage set up on Fifth Avenue, when he saw the crowd of thousands of people welcoming him with such a great ovation, the mix of emotions and feelings that were already swirling in his heart grew within him. Perhaps it was a predictable reaction, given the amalgam that was forming in his heart due to everything he had experienced.

A long round of applause, mixed with whistles and American flags being raised, barely allowed him to speak, and this relieved, even if momentarily, the tension of losing Peter and the lack of Devon by his side to calm him down.

He walked to the pulpit in the center of the stage, looked at every corner of the large avenue covered in people, took a breath and held it for a moment. — Some have told me that it is crazy, in the midst of the turbulent times we are witnessing, to expose myself to a public event like this.

He began, with his slow words and the tender voice so well known from his speeches.

— But I could not leave you helpless in such an important moment of unity. So, if you ask me again, I will answer: yes, I am crazy.

Having said this, the people applauded him again.

— Being with you now, for me, means responsibility, it means showing you that I care, that your government is part of you. And what can I say after so many difficult events? This is the question I asked myself. What can we say to a nation, our nation, when someone surprises it and, mercilessly, threatens and hurts it? We are wounded. And it is not only a wound of blood, of the blood that was shed by these people to whom we said goodbye in the last two months. It is also a wound to our pride, a wound that took a long time to heal after September 11th and is now open again.

The President continued, unmoved:

— After asking myself this question, I saw that the answer is simple and I want to share it with you. We will heal this wound once and for all! Just as it was the wounds that kept George Washington's soldiers from dying of illness and even strengthened them for victory, in the same way we, the descendants of those brave men, will rise up, gain strength and fight this evil, eradicate it and eliminate it once and for all, not only from this country, but from wherever it is found!

At that moment the crowd gave a loud cheer and applauded enthusiastically, Kenan waited for the momentum to pass.

— I want to tell you that we are working tirelessly to ensure that nothing is hidden, nothing is forgotten, no one is wronged. American democracy will not be shaken. Our military is strong and our people even stronger. The terrorists who carried out these attacks will be found and captured, and today I can say that we now have important information about the case. I would also like to express my gratitude to world leaders for the support we have received since then and my request for unity. This is what we need to combat this evil that afflicts us so much. America, more than ever, will move forward, defending freedom and fighting injustice in the world. To all of you, thank you very much.

WHEN HIS SPEECH FINISHED, Kenan left the pulpit and walked to the seat reserved for him on the stage, among the other politicians participating in the debate. The crowd applauded his speech intensely, showing their full support for the President.