Chapter 155: Ceasar triggers an attack.
It had been snowing for two days, and the white house was suffocating with discontent. Many were cold and shivering but what was worse was the hunger which was a result of further reduction of food rations.
This was because more and more people had showed up at the white house hoping to be helped by the president who had promised to make it okay.
But it was not okay, and the people’s voices were hoarse from complaining. Their eyes were hollow but fierce with desperation. Mothers clutched children who whimpered against their shoulders, while men muttered in low, angry tones.
Soldiers acted deaf as they monitored the serving stations where food was being distributed. They carried guns because they were anticipating trouble from the disgruntled crowd.
They were not wrong because at the third serving station, something crashed, and someone shouted.
"Half a roasted potato and a bottle of water!" Dr Roy Fassbender thundered, his bony fist raised high. "We have been feeding like this for days! Our children are starving and yet we know that there is food in the bunker. This cannot go on. You invited us here under false pretenses, if this keeps up, we will leave."
His voice was loud because he knew the president was watching.
The crowd answered in growls of agreement, their misery sharpening into beginning of rebellion. Word had been spreading that the bunker had adequate food for them all to feed on for at least three years.
Those on the surface were sure that the ones in the bunker were eating like kings while they were getting scraps and they were teetering on the edge of control.
Ceaser was standing behind a dais from where he planned to address the people.
Lugard sighed heavily and said to him "This is why I have been suggesting that we transport all these people to other bases, we cannot be able to ration food any longer, it’s just too little and they are too many."
President Ceaser’s jaw twitched as he forced a smile. His suit was immaculate, his stance rehearsed, but his eyes betrayed his irritation. These people were starting to doubt his leadership. He could hear their whispers when he passed, some saying that Finch would have done better, he could see their accusing stares.
He got a megaphone and shouted into it. "It is not my fault that we are stretched thin. I believe that you can all see for yourselves the hardships we are enduring. Those who feel like what we give is not enough should form teams and start going out to forage for food.
We cannot build the nation by sitting here and folding our hands, waiting on a miracle. The soldiers have already formed teams, and I have sent them far and wide to search for food and bring it back. I will do my best not to let you starve."
The murmurs that followed were heavy with disbelief. Promises no longer filled their bellies and yet day by day since the rain stopped, more people came to the white house because of the promises he had made. Now he was telling them to go out and scramble for survival!!
Ceaser saw their doubt in him. He hated what he saw. His pride clawed for something more.
"Some of you doubt my leadership, and I don’t blame you." he said slowly, "I will show you who is president especially when I get through to the watcher bird. Tonight, I will capture one, maybe we can all feast on its flesh." He spoke with certainty.
As if to test his words, a watcher bird landed on the grounds of the white house.
Ceasar was informed and he became excited. He rushed to the entrance into the white house and stood on the last step. He reached for a chocolate bar in his pocket. Lugard waved some meat reluctantly.
Nobody knew if it would work but suddenly, the bird moved towards Ceaser. They held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
"Come closer, avian visitor." Ceaser said in a voice that dripped with honey and false promises.
Curiosity in its glowing eyes, the bird jumped to where he was standing and lowered its head.
"Do not be afraid my noble friend," Ceasar crooned. "Enter. Let’s have a chat." He signaled at the snipers took wait.
The bird obeyed. Majestic and dreadful, it towered over everyone. Its frame would not even fit in the entrance if its wings were spread.
This was smaller than the ones that usually dropped by and Ceasar figured that it was a baby. No wonder it was easy to fool!
Meanwhile, Cassius, lurked in the corner, feeling dread. "This is folly. This is death." He mumbled, staggering back, his instincts screamed that he should run.
Elina, Ceaser’s indestructible superhuman, bolted forward, planting herself between the president and the giant bird. "Sir, get back this is dangerous." She barked, ready to absorb the wrath.
But Ceaser shoved her aside with a snarl, eyes alight with feverish pride. "Get away, the bird is not dangerous to us." He unwrapped the chocolate.
The words had barely left his lips when the bird struck.
It’s sharp sword like talons swung upwards in a savage blur, colliding with Ceaser’s groin. The sound was wet, brutal.
Ceaser’s triumphant grin crumbled into a strangled scream as his knees buckled.
Screams filled the air; the snipers began to rain bullets on the bird.
And then more birds descended on the white house like they had been watching and waiting all along. One of them spread its wings and eclipsed the sun over the white house. It screeched so loudly that windows and glass shattered.
A man fell to the ground, holding his ears whose eardrums were ruptured.
Then, together, the birds unleashed their sonic weaponry. The sound was not just loud--it was invasive. It caused blood to boil. It bypassed ears and drilled into the brain, triggering hemorrhages, hallucinations and in some cases, seizures.
And yet, not everyone was affected.
Commander Samuel Pike was very okay, and he was yelling. "They are just animals, slaughter them. If bullets don’t work, get knives. Just shut them up."
"Shut them up." One bird responded in perfect human voice.
Commander Pike fainted.
And then, the birds rose and went after those escaping the white house on foot, stomping them to death or stabbing them with their claws.
Some soldiers screamed for the president, but he was nowhere to be seen. Ceasar had already been carried into the bunker by Lugard and his closest men. It was sealed tight from the inside.
All that remained of him on the surface was his bloody balls and half of a penis.
Three hours after the massacre, Cassius stealthily walked, ducking beneath the chaos, shoving past the wounded. He found one of the vehicles that was still intact, climbed inside and drove away.