I followed the faint pull of Juli's insects, letting them guide me forward while keeping my pace steady and my mind focused.
Still, a small part of me wanted just a few quiet minutes where nothing went wrong.
Naturally, that was exactly when things went wrong.
Five figures stepped into the road ahead and spread out just enough to block my path, and I slowed down without really thinking about it. It was more out of habit than concern at this point.
I looked at them properly, expecting something unusual, something dangerous, something worth adjusting my approach for, but all I saw were people trying very hard to look like a problem.
I stopped a few steps away and studied them for a moment.
"…Please tell me this is not what I think it is," I said.
The one in the center, who had clearly decided he was in charge, lifted the metal pipe resting on his shoulder and pointed it at me like he had been waiting his whole life for this moment.
"Hand over your coins."
