I looked over the crowd. I could see people getting restless. At least they weren’t lynching me.
It’s always nice when people don’t lynch you.
“Thank you for listening. These supplies are yours to take. One to each family or group, up to two if your family is large enough.”
My monologue finished, I waited. Nobody ventured forward. Had I done too effective a job at intimidating them?
I guess it’s part that, and part that none of them want to be the first to accept a gift from a villain, the first to accept that villain’s claim of your area.
I was just starting to wonder what I’d do if nobody moved, when the first man stepped forward, followed immediately by his wife and a pair of kids.
There we go.
The wife had a very red nose and circles under her eyes that made me think she had a bad cold. The parents didn’t make eye contact with me as they accepted the box that one of Coil’s workers lifted down to hand to them.
Desperation is one of the strongest motivators there is to accepting any help you can get.
The children hid behind their mother. There was no gratitude, nor any thanks given, as the father turned to carry the box of food and necessities back to wherever he was taking shelter.
They clearly don’t like this, but they know they need the resources whether they like it or not.
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