Episode 11

A couple of guys from the camp helped Dale bring the ramp to the truck, and Bella got her bike down.

"I can't believe you brought it!" exclaimed Charlie.

"Me either," said Megan, eyeing Abraham, and he laughed.

"I can't believe you took your car and left the truck," he said, and she smiled.

"I was hopeful."

"Come on, kid," said Bella and pulled Charlie onto the back of the bike.

"Hold onto me tight, no matter what," she said, and he locked his arms around his sister's waist.

"Not so fast this time, Bell," said Megan, and Bella nodded.

"Better yet, get in front of me," she told Charlie, and her brother got in front of her.

She revved the engine and took off down the dirt road.

"So, did you train your daughter to be this awesome, or was she born this way?" asked Dale, wiping his hand on a cloth, and Abraham sighed.

"Both, I guess," he said.

"We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Dale," he said, holding out his hand, and Abraham shook it.

"Abraham. My daughter asked me this morning if I chased you away?"

Dale chuckled and shook his head.

"I brought her some grub last night. Figured she should eat something and soak up all that alcohol in her system. We listened to her music box, talked, and ended up falling asleep. My brother woke up this morning. I covered her up and left," he explained, and Abraham nodded.

"She said you were a gentleman, and I appreciate that."

Dale nodded and huffed a laugh.

"Of course."

Bella drove up to the truck, and Charlie slid off giggling.

"Did you have fun?" asked Megan.

"Yeah," he breathed.

Bella looked at Dale and jerked her head toward the road.

"Come on. Get your old man bike, and let's see what you've got," she said, and Dale chuckled.

"Come on. It's a nice day!"

Dale sighed and looked at Abraham.

"Does she always get what she wants?" he asked, and Abraham and Megan looked at each other.

"Pretty much," said Megan, and Dale went to grab his bike.

"Bell?" said Abraham, walking over to his daughter.

"Yeah, Dad?" she asked, getting off her bike and looking it over.

"How far you planning on going?"

Bella looked at her father, squinting in the sunlight, and shrugged.

"Just up the road a bit. I want to clear her throat," she said, attaching the choppers to the side of the bike, and Abraham stepped closer.

"And Dale?" he asked softly.

Bella sighed, pulling the leather strap tight, and gave her father a thoughtful look.

"A riding partner. You want me to go in this shit hole of a world without someone? That's just stupid. He's the only one at camp with a bike beside his brother, and I'm not asking that creep to come with me."

Abraham looked at his daughter for a moment and sighed.

"So, basically, lack of choices?" he asked, and Bella shrugged, putting a couple of joints in her side pocket.

"I like hanging out with him. Is that a crime?"

He gave Bella a thoughtful look and shook his head.

"But you've only known him for a few days, and now you want to go ride off with him?" he asked, and Bella snorted.

"He's not going to hurt me, and what's with the sudden protective father routine? You didn't act like this when I was with Jason," she said, raising to her feet, and Abraham pressed his lips together.

"That's because I knew the kid and his parents. We don't know anything about him or his brother, where they're from, none of that."

Bella sighed and gave her father a stubborn look.

"Why does any of that matter? I know well enough he had your back during the attack and saved my ass. I get it, Dad. I'm your little girl, and you want to protect me, but you must let me make my own choices. Dale's a good guy under the hard exterior."

Abraham saw so much of her mother in his daughter, including her mother's stubbornness. Jessica would give him the same look when she wanted her way, and Abraham couldn't resist either of the women in his life. He nodded and sighed.

"Alright, if this is what you want to do. Just be careful," he breathed, touching her face, and Bella nodded, grinning.

"Of course. Maybe you can toke a little on the reefer while I'm gone. Might loosen you up a bit, old fashion man," she teased, and her father grunted, handing her a radio.

Dale pulled up on his bike, and Bella got on hers.

"Ready?" she asked as her father walked away.

He nodded, and they drove off. Megan rubbed Abraham's back, and he sighed.

"When did she grow up so fast?" he grumbled, and Megan chuckled.

"That's what they do, I'm afraid. Grow up and become people."

"Yeah, I guess so," Abraham sighed.

"Plus, throw in an apocalypse, and they are forced to grow up even faster. You know Charlie wants to learn how to shoot a gun and use a knife. He's ten," said Megan, and Abraham looked at her.

"I think when this is over, we need to have another one."

Megan laughed and pushed his shoulder.

"Really? Mr. Daniels?"

Abraham nodded, and Megan grinned.