Chapter 4
As he tried to figure out what was wrong, Ron quickly ran through a mental list what could be wrong. No obvious wounds. No forced entry. Nothing unusual noted from the observation post.
"Check the other bedrooms and report back."
The other agents reported the same conditions. Everybody in their beds, but could not be awakened. With the exception of Zoey, who was downstairs. He quickly eliminated most possibilities until something registered in his mind.
The house cold. Members of the family lying in their beds unresponsive. One person downstairs fully dressed in clothes from yesterday.
Immediately, some kind of poisoning came to his thoughts. But what kind? Every second that was passing meant precious time lost.
"Go get the monitoring device from the post. The one that measures carbon monoxide."
The agent turned and ran down the stairs and through the snow as quickly as he could. It took him less than a minute to get back to the house.
As he reentered the house, the alarm on the monitor sounded.
Ron barked new orders. "Get them out of here. Open these windows now!"
The First Lady was picked up by one Agent and taken downstairs. Ron, with the assistance of another agent, was able to get the President upright and drag him down the stairs.
"Open the windows. Where's the oxygen? Is everybody accounted for?"
By this time, all the agents were scrambling around the main floor of the farmhouse.
Seven people were laid on the living room floor. Oxygen tanks appeared and masks were quickly placed around each family member's face. One agent took responsibility for each family member.
Slowly, one by one, the family started to stir.
Abbey was the first to open her eyes. She tried to focus on what was going around her. She looked around for Jed and couldn't see him. What she saw through scared her even more. There was each member of her family on the floor, in their pajamas, with an oxygen mask on. Abbey tried to sit up, but was gently pushed back.
"Please, Mrs. Bartlet. Just lay here quietly," Abbey's agent responded. "All of your family is accounted for. We think maybe you and your family are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning. We're arranging for transportation to the hospital right now."
"Jed?" One word was all Abbey could get out of her mouth.
"He's still unconscious. But like you, we're giving him and everybody else the oxygen we have on hand and have requested more, which will come on the helicopter that should arrive shortly."
"Mom, Mom. Where are you?" That was Ellie.
Abbey was determined to sit up this time. Although nausea and dizziness almost overwhelmed her, she was able to prop herself up on her elbows.
Removing the mask, she replied, "Over by the sofa. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but I have a really bad headache."
Abbey knew exactly what she meant.