I tightly close my eyes and grip my suitcase, as if it were the most important thing in the world. What contained my clothes, my toiletries, my teddy bear, seemed to be greater than anything else in the world. I had no idea it was going to be like this, not in a million years. There is nothing they can do to get it away from me. It’s mine.

I open my eyes, and see 5 more of them standing around me, disappointed. Others are around, but they don’t seem to care about me, about what’s going on. Even my friend, the one who is obligated to care, does not. He just gives me the same look that they all do. He reaches for my bag, and I cover it with my body. They all reach for my bag, and I lay on top of it. I scream.

“Sir!” The guard grunted at me, prying my fingers from my possession. “We need to send your bag through the x-ray machine, or you can’t get on this flight!”