CHAPTER 99

THE AGENTS' ENTOURAGE continued up the stairs of the Library, feeling like they were being hunted by a herd of insane beasts. Kenan was in the middle with Floyd and Greg, the other men remained around them, protecting them. The agents who were guarding the huge staircase, upon seeing the President approaching, joined the group that soon reached the door of the building. Everyone quickly entered and closed it, locking it so that no one could break in.

— We'll be fine here, Mr. President.

— I hope so, Greg.

From inside they could hear the sound of people banging on the door, madly, probably trying to capture the President for some reason they didn't understand.

Greg, Floyd and Kenan felt relieved to have arrived there, but the situation was still not under control, because there were many people inside the library. The agents were forced to continue to keep guard, with their weapons drawn and observing everyone who was there. Still in the lobby, they passed some people lying on the floor, who were feeling unwell, and also others who were just taking refuge, and some librarians who had not dared to leave.

They continued on to the lobby, where there were other people. The group felt calmer, seeing that they had found nothing inexplicable there. The building seemed at that moment to be like a castle that protected them from the monsters outside. Lowering their guard, some of them were already able to breathe and catch their breath calmly.

IN THE SECOND LOBBY, HOWEVER, they found a few more people, with unusual looks, unusual for normal people. Among them, a woman, upon seeing Kenan's arrival, began to act strangely. She did not seem able to speak, moaning and grunting frighteningly. She writhed as if she were having a nervous breakdown and stood up, staring at the President. The agents took back their weapons and turned their sights on her, alert to what might happen.

— Sit down again — one of them said in a loud voice.

The woman grunted something unintelligible and took a step forward.

— Sit down, or I'll have to shoot you! — the agent shouted.

She glanced at him quickly, but then looked back at Kenan, seemingly not paying attention, or even understanding what he was saying. The other people behind her, who were still conscious, were starting to despair without understanding anything. The woman stopped moaning, took a deep breath for a moment and suddenly let out a loud scream and jumped towards Kenan, as if in a feline attack. Without mercy, the men shot her down, much to the astonishment of the other people, who screamed and cried in fear.

— You see, men — said Floyd Kenagan, looking at the agents and then at the people. — We still don't know what this means, but the President's safety is paramount. Don't hesitate to kill if necessary, even if it's one of us.

Everyone gestured that they had understood the orders.

They didn't go forward, because they didn't know what they would find.

Still in the lobby, Floyd organized his actions:

— We have to find a way to get the President out of here — he told everyone. — Ground vehicles could put his safety at risk at the time of exfiltration, due to the exposure and proximity of the people outside. Bringing reinforcements to escort him would also be risky and take too long. We don't know what could happen to the agents who came, we still don't know the enemy, much less what he's capable of doing.

— I believe the safest way to exfiltrate is by air — Gregory Evans said, and everyone agreed.

— Let's contact headquarters and request a helicopter. The building should have enough space for that on the roof.

Floyd looked at some of the agents who were there, a total of seven men, waved to three of them and said:

— You three, I want you to reconnoiter the place and update us on the situation, so we can safely take the President to the upper floors.

With orders received, the men went ahead to check the situation in the building, each one going their own way. Greg, Floyd, Kenan and the rest remained there, waiting for news.