The laughter stopped for a moment.
Then Jack smiled.
"Do you?"
Mia looked directly into his eyes.
"Yes."
And somehow, that answer made the room even quieter.
The Laughing Bikers
Jack wasn't used to being challenged.
Especially not by teenagers.
He gestured toward Mia's vest.
"That patch means something?"
"Yes."
A few bikers chuckled.
One of them, a thick-necked man named Ralph, stepped forward.
"Kid, I've been riding longer than you've been alive."
Mia glanced at him.
"I believe you."
Ralph frowned.
"So you know what a real club is?"
Mia nodded.
"I know what a real club is."
"And you think wearing that makes you part of one?"
"No."
That answer surprised him.
Mia turned slightly so everyone could see the patch.
"I don't wear it because it makes me important."
She touched the embroidered skull.
"I wear it because someone else earned it."
The room became quieter.
Jack's expression changed.
"What does that mean?"
Mia hesitated.
For the first time that night, the confidence in her eyes disappeared.
"It belonged to my father."
Nobody laughed anymore.
Mia continued.
"He died six years ago."
Jack stared at the patch.
"What's his name?"
Mia looked at him.
"Daniel Carter."
The color slowly disappeared from Jack's face.
Several older bikers exchanged confused glances.
Jack whispered:
"Daniel Carter?"
Mia nodded.
"Yes."
Jack stepped away from the bar.
"Where did you get that vest?"
"My mother gave it to me."
"Your mother?"
"She said Dad wanted me to have it when I was old enough."
Jack stared at the skull.
Then at the words.
REAPER'S HOLLOW.
He hadn't seen that patch in years.