George and Robert were still being reasonable, but Benjamin's group didn't feel the need to be as tactful. They hadn't spent as much time with Charlie as George and Robert had, and this lack of familiarity made them more direct.
One of them spoke up harshly, "Hmph, I think he's just a liar full of deceit. All that talk about living alone on this island for three years. I bet he's just a survivor like us. He's saying this just to rule over us and satisfy his own vanity!"
Another chimed in, "For all we know, you've got something sinister planned. You say you're gathering us to save us? Maybe you're leading us straight to our deaths. Until you come clean about what's really going on, we're done following your orders!"
"Yeah, we're done!" Others joined in, their voices rising.
The accusati
