After telling Tyler the truth of Trench and how they must stay in order to defeat Dema, Josh felt that he finally understood what was happening.

Unfortunately, even though he was the leader, and had the obligation to make any demand he desired, he knew that Tyler needed to become a Bandito in order to seal the deal of his protection.

Later that evening, Josh sent Jenna to speak with Rani, Fauna, and Ilse about helping Tyler make the transformation into the Bandito society.

Even though it seemed like an open and shut deal, it wasn't going to be easy.

Fauna and Ilse agreed to elect Josh as their new leader, and supported him on the mission to rescue Tyler, but Rani was for the last leader and wasn't as trustworthy of Josh.

Convincing her was going to be a challenge, but Jenna was determined to make it happen.

When she walked into the tent, she saw the three girls together. Rani was completely naked, and it looked as if she was bathing herself. Fauna was sitting on a chair reading a book, and Ilse stood by the window of the tent.

Rani was the first to see her, and Fauna quickly got up and tried to hide her body with a towel.

"Oh, shit!" She cried.

"Don't." Jenna said; chuckling. "It's quite alright."

"We didn't expect you." Ilse added.

"No need to worry. I was sent by the leader. He has a message for you."

"A message?"

Fauna handed Rani her clothes, then she and Ilse approached Jenna.

"We want the hear the message."

"If Josh wants our response, we will give it." Ilse said.

Rani scoffed as she put on her clothes.

Jenna cleared her throat, then began to speak.

"You remember when we brought in our new arrival, Tyler Joseph? The boy we rescued."

"Oh, yes." Fauna said. "The flower child."

"He truly is a sweet little boy." Ilse said. "Josh must love him very much."

"Yes." Jenna replied. "He does, but that's not the point of this matter."

"What is it then?" Fauna asked.

"By law of Trench, Tyler is an outsider, and has no affiliation with the Bandito lifestyle. Josh believes that the three of you are fit to help him... indoctrinate, into the Bandito society."

"What does he mean for us to do." Ilse asked.

"Tomorrow, Josh and I will bring the boy here, and you will teach him the ways of becoming a Bandito, and transform him into one, then at midnight, he will swear an oath before the people. After that, Josh will make us all swear a promise to keep the child safe under the protection of the Banditos, then we will take back what is rightfully ours."

Fauna and Ilse looked at each other, but before they could make a decision, Rani jumped in.

"Are you nuts! I don't trust Josh, nor anyone who follows him. The last leader was fair and true to us all."

"Are you insane?!" Fauna cried. "The leader was ruthless and cruel! Do you remember what he did to us when we arrived?"

"I do, but he didn't burn us alive and usurp power out of pride."

"He did!" Ilse said. "Think of Wren and Ender, and how they mistreated and tortured Jenna?"

"We stopped believing in that vicious monster after what he did to Lilac." Fauna said.

"Girls, it's not about who's right or wrong, it's about the survival of who we love. after Dema, Tyler has become traumatized, and he doesn't want to be around anyone except for me or Josh. If you show him how to live here, he won't be in fear."

She leaned closer to them.

"I am counting on you to do this. Josh counts on you."

Once again, Fauna and Ilse looked each other. Despite the opinions and disagreements of their resentful friend, they agreed.

"Alright." Fauna said. "We consent."

Jenna smiled.

"Thank you."

She started her way out of their tent.

"We will bring him first thing tomorrow."

Once she was gone, Fauna and Ilse walked over to their beds and sat down.

"I hope we made the right decision." Ilse said.

"We did." Fauna replied. "Josh is counting on us to help their precious flower."

"Flower?" Rani said; lighting a cigarette. "The boy is a flower?"

"A flower who became human."

"I find that hard to believe."

"It's what they say he is." Ilse said.

"How old is the boy anyway?"

"According to Josh, the boy is 15." Fauna said.

"Old enough to be a squirt." Rani replied.

"Oh, Rani, you just don't want to give him a chance." Ilse said.

"I don't! I never swore to Josh, and neither should you!"

"That's enough!" Fauna shouted; standing up. "You may be our best friend, but we are obeying Josh's command. If you wish not to participate, you don't have to, but you are defying the leader."

Rani sat down and took a puff from her cigarette.

"I will never submit to Josh."

Fauna sighed, then sat down next to Ilse.

"Maybe when you see Tyler tomorrow, you will."