[indent][b]---Jean---[/b][/indent]
As the activity in the hall began to pick up, my nerves started to fray. I didn't like being in closed quarters, and although the building was a reasonable size, there were far to many strangers around, all who were probably just as nervous and edgy as I was. The dogs picked up on my emotions and stuck close, despite the temptations of the other canines in the town hall. Akira sniffed my cheek sympathetically, while Roscoe sat with his fluffy tail curled around his forefeet, eyes darting about with nervous excitement. 

The building was starting to fill with a mixture of people. Some were around my age, while others seemed to be in their twenties. Some had dogs with them, and I noticed some even had horses tied out in the grassy area next to the hall. I felt a pang of guilt at the sight of them, remembering poor old Sugar. I shouldn't have left her behind, but I was scared and thought I wouldn't be able to take care of her.

A girl approached me. She looked about my age, though her face looked like she had gone through a lot. Although she looked tired, and her hair and face was a mess, she still had a certain look to her that I respected. I wasn't sure what it was, but most of the people in the building seemed to have it, save a few. It was something in the eyes, a glint of defiance that told people they weren't willing to go down without a fight.

I stood up as she came closer and stuck my hands in my back pockets in a non-threatening way. Roscoe stood up and wagged his tail, woofing a soft greeting while Akira sat calmly at my side. The girl asked me to put any weapons I had on the table. I looked around and spotted the table, which was slowly gathering a pretty pathetic collection of make-shift weapons. 

"Okay, sure." I said, though I wasn't crazy about the thought of disarming. I took the machete I had hanging from my belt and walked over to place it on the table. I made a mental note of which one was mine, because there were already two other machetes on the pile. I hesitated for a moment, then decided not to reveal the knife in my boot. I walked back over to my spot by the wall, keeping my eyes peeled for any suspicious figures.