She searched for a while before finally locating the Angel Scout Housing building.
As she approached the entrance, two guards stepped forward, blocking her path. Their expressions were unreadable. One extended his hand.
"Documents," he said, while the other scrutinized her badge carefully.
Jane handed them over without a word. They examined everything thoroughly, front and back, before exchanging a brief nod and stepping aside.
"You're clear. Go on in."
Inside, the lobby buzzed with overlapping conversations. The air felt thick with curiosity. Several people glanced her way, their eyes lingering a second too long. Jane resisted the urge to shrink under their scrutiny and instead squared her shoulders, walking toward the receptionist's desk.
"Hello, welcome to the Angel Scout Division. My name is Luisa. How may I help you?"
The young woman behind the desk wore a polite smile. One sleeve of her uniform hung neatly pinned where her arm was missing, yet she carried herself with quiet confidence. Her gaze was steady and observant.
"I was recruited into the Scout Division," Jane said, keeping her tone composed. "I'm here to report for duty."
Luisa's eyes fell to the badge on Jane's chest, and her smile brightened.
"That's wonderful. Before we continue, may I see your paperwork and your Angel Scout tag?"
"Yes."
Jane retrieved the folded documents and tag from her bag and placed them on the desk. Luisa reviewed each page with practiced efficiency.
"Everything looks in order," she said, sliding them aside. "Welcome to the family. You'll be our forty-second member." She gestured toward the staircase behind her. "As is customary, new recruits meet their family head upstairs."
Jane hesitated, fingers tightening slightly around the strap of her bag. "What about my documents and tag?" A flicker of unease crossed her face. She remembered the warning from the ceremony, restricted areas without identification meant death.
Luisa's tone softened. "Don't worry. We'll return them after we stitch the tag into your uniform. It'll be ready by evening. You can collect your uniform and equipment from the supply house then."
She leaned forward slightly, expression serious. "Most importantly... do not lose your badge. It serves as your security clearance. This building requires at least one-wing Angel badge. If you're found in a restricted area without proper identification…" She paused deliberately. "You could be executed."
Jane swallowed but nodded firmly. "Understood."
She headed upstairs, each step echoing faintly beneath her boots.
Outside the office door, she stopped, taking a small breath as nerves crept in. She straightened her posture and knocked.
"Door's open. Come in," a voice called.
Jane pushed the door open and froze.
"You're Jane," the woman inside said, rising from her chair with a warm smile. "The one Clementine mentioned. We met yesterday, though I didn't get the chance to speak properly." She stepped forward and extended her hand. "I'm Molly. Thank you for looking after her."
Jane's gaze drifted instinctively to the four-wing badge pinned to Molly's chest. The insignia gleamed under the light.
"It's good to see you again," Jane replied, shaking her hand. "Clementine is capable. She didn't need me watching over her." She took a seat, folding her hands loosely in her lap.
"Even so," Molly said, settling back into her chair, "I appreciate it." She studied Jane for a moment, head tilted slightly. "So… what brings you here?"
"The receptionist said new recruits are to meet the family head."
Molly blinked, then laughed softly. "You're joining my department?" A spark of genuine delight lit her expression. "That's excellent news. We've needed someone with your skill set."
She waved a dismissive hand. "And please don't call me 'family head.' It makes me sound like some ancient relic. Just call me Molly… That rule? Some dumb, self-righteous old priest made it."
Jane allowed the faintest hint of a smile. "All right… Molly. When do I begin duty?"
Molly leaned back, folding her arms comfortably. "Two teams are already out scouting. You'll likely start tomorrow." Her smile turned knowing. "Don't worry. From what I hear, you prefer the wilderness to crowded rooms."
Jane's eyes narrowed slightly. "Did Clementine tell you that?"
"She did," Molly admitted with a grin. "I wanted to know more about you. She speaks highly of you. I was curious."
A shadow flickered across Jane's expression, her shoulders stiffening at the mention of personal details.
Sensing the shift, Molly smoothly changed the subject. "I was just about to show Clementine around camp. Why don't you join us? I think she'd be thrilled."
Despite herself, anticipation flickered in Jane's eyes before she could mask it. She gave a small nod.
---
Together, they headed toward the main market, where people traded and sold goods. Along the way, Molly gestured toward different areas of the camp, her eyes scanning the bustling activity.
In one corner, a large group clustered around three men who shifted nervously under the intensity of the argument.
"Are they arguing again?" Molly muttered, her brows knitting as she approached.
Jane tilted her head, curiosity sparkling. "What are they arguing about?"
Molly sighed, shaking her head. "About seventy percent of this camp calls themselves Believers. They think Max is a Death Angel and insist everyone kneel when they see him. Almost all non-Believers comply… except a stubborn few for various reasons."
Jane's eyes widened. "Did he tell them to kneel?"
"No. Max never told anyone to kneel, but the Believers take refusal as disrespect. This fight has been going on for days."
Jane frowned. "And the Angel Police? Can't they step in?"
"All of them are Believers too," Molly said quietly. "They're reluctant to interfere. It's wreaking havoc on the Justice Department... Michonne's got a massive headache because none of the jurors will testify against the Believers." Jane nodded, following Molly's gaze toward the heated crowd.
One of the nervous men stepped forward, voice shaking slightly. "Listen, we respect the Lord as much as you do. He... He never asked anyone to kneel. Lady Michonne confirmed it's a choice."
A Believer snapped back, face red and veins visible. "How dare you compare us to… people like you, non-Believers! The Lord is humble! That's exactly why we must show the highest respect. You kneel before a king... but you refuse to kneel before the one who will save us from this hell?"
Voices rose, shouts echoing across the camp.
Molly suddenly raised her hand, posture sharp and commanding. "Enough!" Her voice cut through the noise like a whip. "All of you... disperse. It's morning. Go do something useful for this community instead of bickering like children."
The crowd froze. Eyes flicked to the four-wing insignia on Molly's chest slowly and grudgingly the group lowered their gaze and shuffled away.
"Idiots," Molly muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.
She and Jane continued toward the market. After several minutes, they finally spotted Clementine.
She walked with an awkward, stiff gait.
Jane exchanged a look with Molly, raising an eyebrow. A brief silence passed before both women smirked at each other, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
"Sorry for being late... I overslept," Clementine said, smiling, though her steps were tentative.
"You must've had a very good night's sleep," Molly replied, smirking, arms swinging loosely at her sides.
Jane chimed in, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Yeah, slept so well she can barely walk."
Clementine's face flushed crimson. She raised her hands defensively. "Look! I just… slept wrong and hurt my back. That's why I'm walking like this. Nothing happened between me and Max!"
Jane and Molly exchanged suppressed chuckles. Seeing Clementine's reddening face, Molly leaned slightly closer, her smile teasing but gentle. "We never said anything about you and Max."
Clementine buried her face in her hands, refusing to meet their amused expressions.
"Oh, don't be so shy," Molly said lightly, nudging her shoulder playfully. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about sex. I did worse when I was your age."
Jane grinned, shaking her head. "Exactly. No need to pretend you're an innocent little girl Clementine."
"Congratulations on stepping into womanhood," Molly added, a playful twinkle in her eye. "Now come on… let's explore the market."
Still flustered, Clementine lowered her head, trailing behind the two women as they walked ahead, laughter tucked behind their smiles.