Episode 14

Megan gave Abraham a worried look, and he sighed.

"Abe, you have to do something. Those are our children down there," she cried.

"Damn it!" he cursed, getting out of the car and seeing Steve standing on top of his vehicle, looking through his binoculars.

"Hey, Abe. You might want to come take a look at this," said Steve, and Abraham walked over to him.

Steve helped his partner on the roof, handed him the binoculars, and Abraham watched most of the horde fall into the gorge.

"Son of a bitch! Bell was right," he said, seeing a small group around the truck and grabbing his handheld.

"You were right, little bird. The freaks are falling into the chasm. There's a small group around the truck, maybe fifteen, but the rest are falling into the riverbed."

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Bella sighed, resting her head against Dale's arm, and put the mic to her mouth.

"Well, our weapons are in the back of the truck. Can you figure out a way to distract them?"

There was a pause on the radio, and then her father came back on.

"Hang tight."

Dale rested his chin on Bella's shoulder, and she could feel the stubble of his unshaven face.

What do you think your Dad's gonna do?" he whispered, and Bella shook her head, strumming her fingers on Dale's palm.

"Something badass," whispered Charlie, and Bella stifled a laugh.

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Abraham jumped off the roof, walked to his car, pulled out a flair gun, and aimed it toward the gorge, away from his truck.

"What are you doing?" asked Steve.

"Protecting my kids," he said and fired the gun.

The group watched the bright flare shoot through the darkening sky and fly into the chasm. Abraham looked through the binoculars and saw the small group of zombies stagger away from the truck and fall into the abyss.

"All clear," he said over the radio.

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"Is he sure?" asked Bella, and Dale poked his head up, looking out the windows.

"Yeah, they're gone," he said, and Bella blew a breath.

"Charlie, we're safe now," she said, and Charlie poked his head up, giving his sister a clever look.

"If it's safe, then why are you still lying with Dale?"

Bella and Dale looked at each other, and Bella sighed.

"I don't know. You do make a good pillow. Pretty comfortable," she said, and Dale gave her a smug look.

"It's not that comfortable, but I'm not complaining," he said, and Bella laughed, sitting up.

Charlie giggled, climbing in the back seat, and Dale chuckled, lighting a cigarette.

"So, did I make your wildest fantasy come true," Bella snickered, and Dale raised his eyebrows.

"Sh, not in front of the kid," he said, and Bella laughed, starting the truck.

"That kid probably knows a lot more than you think," she said, putting the truck in gear, and Dale looked at Charlie.

"My sister doesn't keep anything from me," he said and shrugged.

Dale shook his head, and Bella drove up to High Point.

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"Bella, Charlie," said Megan and hugged her children.

Dale smiled, and Megan pulled him into their embrace.

"I'm so glad you kids are safe," she said.

"Me, too," said Abraham, and Bella grinned.

"You know this is a great spot to start a new camp. We're high up, where we can see anyone coming this way. There's a natural spring and plenty of camping spots. Good thinking, little bird. I'm so proud of you," he said, hugging his daughter, and Bella hugged him back.

"Thanks, Daddy. Let's set up camp, and in the morning, I'll take Bonnie and Charlie to the spring so everyone can sort out everything," she said, and Abraham nodded.

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"Come on, Charlie, Bonnie. Ya'll want to go to the spring with me?" called Bella and heard the kids squeal.

It was the next day, and everyone had gotten up, had their coffee, and was ready to start unpacking. The spring was a small hike away, and the playground and fitness bars were next to the pool. Bella grabbed towels put on an oversized green t-shirt, and Charlie and Bonnie were in their bathing suits and flip-flops.

"Alright. Come on, let's go," she said, and they headed toward the pool.

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

Charlie and Bonnie were playing in the shallow end, and Bella sunbathed on a rock in her yellow two-piece, dangling her legs in the water. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and she wore sunglasses.

"Bell, are you going to marry Dale?" asked Charlie, and Bonnie snickered.

Bella looked at her brother and snorted.

"You really want a brother that badly, huh? Well, I hate to break it to you, kid. I'm seventeen, and we're in the middle of the end of the world, so I don't think I'll be marrying anyone for quite some time," she said.

"But you like him, and I think he likes you, too."

Bonnie giggled, playing with a pink flower, and Bella slipped into the cool pool.

"You really like him, don't you?" she asked, and Charlie nodded.

"Yeah. He's been like a big brother to me, especially when you were gone, and no offense, but I like him more than Jason," he said, and Bella laughed.

"You never know. We'll see how things go."

Charlie nodded, and Bonnie smiled.

"Bell?" Megan called from the top of the path, and Bella looked at her stepmother.

"Lunch is ready. Come on," she said, and Bella turned back to the kids.

"You heard her. Chop! Chop!" she teased, splashing Charlie and Bonnie, and the kids giggled, climbing out of the pool.

They slipped their sandals on, grabbed their towels, and headed up the path. Bella slipped on the oversized green t-shirt and smiled at her brother.

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Dale saw Bella walking up the path and waved her over. She sent to kids with Megan and walked over to him.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi."

He looked her over, knowing she was only wearing a two-piece bathing suit underneath, and shook his head.

"I made your favorite. Barb-b-q squirrel," he said, handing her a plate, and she laughed.

"Why thank you, kind sir," she chuckled, and Dale blushed.

"Come sit with us," he said, gesturing to a log, and Bella sat on her towel.

"How was the spring, darlin?" asked Terry, and Bella nodded, taking a bite of the squirrel.

"It's nice. The kids enjoyed it, and I'm sure they will want to go later."

Terry smiled and nodded.

"That's nice. Maybe when you go again, you can take my brother. He could use a nice cool dip," he teased, and Dale rolled his eyes.

Terry and Dale found a nice shady spot to set up camp, and Bella thought it was perfect.

"There's also a playground and fitness bars. Might go check that out myself," she added, and Dale gave her a questioning look.

"Do you want me to push you on the swings?" he teased, and Bella laughed, shaking her head.

"The playgrounds for kids. I'll be on the fitness side. I can't tell you how many times I've come out here and used the playground as a training course. It was my favorite place to come just to relax in my own way."

"So, you run around and play on the playground," laughed Terry, getting up from his seat and walking into the trailer.

"I think it sounds interesting," said Dale, and Bella smiled.

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Bella slipped a tank top and shorts over her bathing suit, grabbed her MP3 player and towel, and walked out of the tent.

"Hey, Bell. Where are you going?" asked Megan, and she looked at her stepmom.

"To the spring. Charlie and Bonnie are passed out, and I wanted to do some training exercises before they wake up," Bella said, stretching, and Megan nodded.

"Have fun."