Frostbound

The group tightened its formation around us as we all stood in silence. I wasn't sure what they were after exactly, but the excuse to examine our possessions for anything dangerous wasn't going to fly.

There was no way they were going to do that. Even if we didn't have anything dangerous, it was the principle of the matter.

Who died and gave them the right to demand anything of me? Especially now, when the rule of Law was thrown out the window.

"Why don't we all take a step back for a second," I said trying to defuse the situation and raised my hands in an unthreatening manner.

It was not my goal to get into an altercation with them but it was feeling inevitable the longer this situation went on.

All I wanted was to leave the city and regroup with my family. I had no interest in the feuds or the battle for control that was seemingly going on. What did I care who won control of the City? I would be leaving and going so far away that I would most likely never see these people again.

My attempt at de-escalating the situation didn't work as the leader took another step toward me rather than the step back I had requested.

"Christopher, just let them do it. They did the same thing throughout the tutorial." My mother said from beside me.

The bag of things was already inching down her shoulder to comply.

"Why?" I remarked, "They have no authority over us and can demand nothing."

At this point, the leader had stepped close enough to hear our conversation and barged into it.

"We need to make sure that no one has anything dangerous or has anything they shouldn't." He said smugly like that meant something.