Episode 8

Abraham, Jimmy, and Andy put the weapons and ammunition in the back room and went into the kitchen to help Sarah, Mike, and Mya.

"So, how long ya'll known my brother?" asked Jimmy, and Sarah looked at him thoughtfully.

"I think it's been a year now since Bell found him. He was pretty beaten up, so we fixed him up, gave him a chance, and a home," she said.

"Thank you for taking him in," said Mya gratefully, and Sarah smiled, nodding.

"It wasn't a problem. Once we got to know him," said Abraham, and Andy and Mike agreed.

"So, how did you two survive out there for so long?" asked Mike, and Mya shrugged, looking at Jimmy.

"We struggled for a while, but we stayed once we found the strip mall. It was safe from the freaks and provided food, shelter, clothing, medicine, and guns. So, we figured we'd stick it out for as long as we could," she explained, and Andy looked at her impressed.

"Smart," he said, and everyone agreed.

Mya and Jimmy looked at each other and smiled, nodding.

"So, how long Bella and Jordan been together?" asked Jimmy, and everyone shrugged.

"Maybe a month or less. I can never tell with her," said Abraham, and Sarah agreed.

"He had a wife and two beautiful twin girls, but the Bandits slaughtered them right in front of us. That's when Jordan told everyone to run, and it was the last time we saw him. We're thankful you found him and us," said Mya, and Abraham nodded.

He walked toward the window and saw his daughter and Jordan snuggled on the truck's roof. Jimmy stood beside him and sighed.

"He really likes her, huh?" he asked, and Abraham nodded.

"Yeah, he does. Is that how he treated his wife?" he asked, and Jimmy shook his head.

"Nah. My brother's never been the affectionate type. I mean, he loved his wife, but they never acted like that. He seems like a changed person around your daughter."

Abraham chuckled and grabbed Jimmy's shoulder.

"Once you get to know my little bird, you will see she has a very unique effect on people," he said, and Jimmy only nodded.

******************************************

Jordan pulled the collar of Bella's oversized shirt over her shoulder and kissed her soft skin. Bella smiled and gasped, biting her lip as he nibbled. He chuckled and tightened his arms snugly. She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Jordan?"

"Yeah?"

"When do you think we should tell your family our secret?" she asked, running her fingers on his neck, and he sighed.

"Soon, baby girl. I'm not sure how they gonna take it."

"What? That we're actually dead and turned into another species?" she scoffed, and he chuckled.

Jordan adjusted his body, and Bella settled into his chest.

"Oh, that," he teased, and she lifted her head, looking at him.

"What did you think I was talking about?"

"I was only fooling. I know we have to tell them, and we will."

He bent his head, kissed her throat, and bit her. She blew a breath, and he laughed, kissing her throat again.

"Jordan? Bella?"

Bella snickered, and she and Jordan turned their heads, seeing Jimmy and Mya walking toward them.

"Hey, guys," said Bella, and Jordan smiled.

"Hey, so we're done helping the others and figured we'd come hang out?" asked Mya.

Jordan looked at Bella, and she shook her head, smirking. Mya and Jimmy gave Jordan a surprised look, and he snickered.

"She being funny," he said, and Bella laughed, grabbing the liquor bottle.

She leaned over Jordan and looked at Jimmy and Mya innocently.

"Peace offering?" she asked, offering the bottle, and Jimmy took it, shaking his head.

"She always like this?" he asked, and Jordan laughed, nodding.

He looked at Bella and brushed her hair behind her ear.

"Come on. There's more room in the bed," he said, and she nodded.

**********************************************

"So, you saved my brother's ass from the Bandits?" asked Jimmy.

"Twice, actually. In more ways than one," laughed Jordan, and Bella blushed.

She leaned against his shoulder and put her palm on his cheek.

"It was the classic stray story. I found him chained in a basement, set him free, and took him home," she said, dropping her hand.

Bella adjusted in Jordan's arms, and he kissed her cheek, wrapping an arm around her.

"You right, but you leaving out the best part," he said, taking a swig, and she looked at him in question.

"The Bandits started chasing us, and this girl shot out their gas tank and blew their vehicle to pieces," Jordan added, and Jimmy's eyebrows rose.

"You that good of a shot?" he asked, and Jordan scoffed.

"Bro, wait till you see her in action. Good with a gun, motorcycle, and throwing knives. Dynamite."

Bella snorted, and Jordan looked at her.

"What? You're amazing," he said.

"Yeah, but you sound like a kid boasting about his new toy," she snickered, taking the bottle and drinking.

"Maybe I am," he said, and she laughed, passing the bottle to Mya.

"How can you boast about a new toy you haven't even played with yet?" Bella said and instantly regretted it, seeing the look on Jordan's face.

"Shut up before you even say anything," she added.

Jordan playfully sulked, and Bella laughed, playing with his fingers. Mya bumped Jimmy with her shoulder, and he grinned, nodding.

"You seem very happy together. How did you two end up as a couple?" asked Mya, and Bella smiled at Jordan.

"He kissed me in the back of my Dad's truck," she said, and Jordan smirked, giving her a knowing look.

"And you kissed me back this time instead of fighting me off," he noted, and she smiled.

"Yeah, I did."

"Aww. Look, my brother now understands what love is," snickered Jimmy, and Jordan shook his head.

Suddenly, they heard the bushes rustle, and Bella put her finger to her lips. She quickly climbed out of the truck and walked to the gate with her gun drawn. Jordan nodded to his brother, jumped out of the truck, and drew his weapon. He walked beside her and looked around.

"Do you see anything, babe?" he whispered, and Bella looked around with glowing eyes.

She saw four heat signatures and pointed.

"There. Four of them, and they're human," she whispered, and he aimed his gun.

"Show yourselves!" he demanded as Jimmy and Mya peered over the side of the vehicle and watched.

"Please, don't shoot! We're alive!" called a man, and Bella aimed her gun.

"Come out," she said.

"Alright. We're coming out. We have small children with us."

Bella's eyes widened as she watched a familiar dark-haired man and woman holding two girls step in front of the gate, and she lowered her weapon.

"Edmond! Bianca!" she exclaimed, grabbing the barrel of Jordan's gun and lowering it.

"Oh, Bell. Thank the heavens it's you," cried Bianca.

Bella noticed their oldest was missing and looked at Edmond and Bianca. Edmond nodded quickly, and Bella nodded sadly. Jordan opened the gate, and Bella hugged her friends.