Charlie stood in the middle of the group, surrounded by Oliver and his five companions, his hand resting subtly on the machete tucked at his lower back.
The group consisted of people of varying ages and nationalities. At a glance, aside from one Asian and one African individual, the others appeared to be Europeans.
They all glared at Charlie. They felt that he had completely disregarded their goodwill and treated them with constant suspicion. The cold reception to their warm gestures left them feeling particularly uncomfortable and annoyed.
Facing the five people staring him down, Charlie's expression was grim, but he showed no fear. Instead, he asked coldly, "What do you all want, surrounding me like this?"
A young Japanese man with his hands stuffed into his pockets stepped forward f
