A Life Of 'Shine - Lem Fike

3

"How long you been working with Maggie anyway?"

"Since I was seventeen maybe? Sixteen. She kinda raised me the best way she knew how."

Nora nodded at Lem's words, walking by his side towards Rhodes that was near enough five minutes from where they were. She never indulged in what business she had in the state of Lemoyne, claiming it to be a quick visit and the pair were to be in and out before anyone had realised Lem to be there.

Since 1892, when Lem was inevitably arrested and Maggie thrown into the burning house, revenue agents had doubled the amount of men they had patrolling Lemoyne significantly, it being the place Maggie was most notorious.

"So how old are you now then? If you don't mind my asking." The small chuckle from her companion was a clear enough indication that he took no offense to the question. Nora looked up at him, waiting for his answer but he was quiet to what felt like too long according to Nora.

"I'm thirty, why'd you ask?"

"Curious, is all. Never guessed woulda thirty, though. Maybe twenty-five."

More silence ensued, Lem smiling at her words before he shook his head at the girl. "Twenty-five ain't bad. I've received worse, some mad bastard thought I was forty once." This caused laughter to erupt from Nora, which she quickly tried to stifle with the back of her hand. He failed to see what she found amusing about what he said, but Nora found it funny.

"And I got insulted when someone said I was twenty-five. A whole year older than I actually am." After her moment of laughter she managed to compose herself back into the calm and collected person she was in most occasions.

"What business you got down in Rhodes anyway? Them lemoyne raiders don't take too kindly to folk around these parts and plus revenuers." He had asked the same question, although in different wording, throughout their trip and each time Nora had claimed it be strictly business. Although she wouldn't show it, she collectively got more frustrated each time he asked but she knew he meant well by it. As Maggie described him, "he's a dope."

"Gotta grab my money from Trelawny. An old friend of mine, nothing to serious. I helped him steal horses, or well, some acquainted of his. Just need to get paid." He would've found out regardless, having already arrived in Rhodes by the time he asked the question and already walking up to Trelawny's caravan.

The male wasn't sat outside like he usually was, but Nora knew he was from the shuffling and noises of metal being knocked against metal from inside. She chuckled and shook her head before raising her fist to knock on the wooden door.

"Do come in!" The man had a peculiar accent, English no doubt. It was the first thing Lem noticed when he was speaking, but didn't say anything about it as he followed Nora into the small living arrangements. In fact, he hadn't said a word the moment he stepped inside Trelawny's home.

"Ah, Nora. How nice to see you, I suppose you are here for your money. Never here to stop and chat."

"Sorry, Josiah. Just been busy, you know I would stop and visit for longer if I had time." Nora quickly turned to look at Lem after her apology, "Do we have time?" A simple nod from Lem and she had a bright smile on her face already.

"We have time, that is, if you'll have us. This is Lem, a colleague of mine and a good friend. Lem, Josiah Trelawny. Pain in the ass but, loyal I s'pose." The two shook hands in formal greeting, awkwardly squeezed into the small space inside before Josiah had ushered them outside where there was more space for them.

"Of course. Stay for how long you like, do make yourselves comfortable. Although I'm afraid comfort isn't exactly available here, but it's fine for living in." Josiah told them. He had in his hands a small coin purse which he quickly handed over to Nora, a few bits of change clinking together in the small space although it was mostly paper notes as evident when Nora removed the money to count.

"We agreed on Twenty dollars, there's close to thirty."

"A thank you, for running around for me."

"Oh, well thank you too I guess."

Lem was never the sort for social gatherings, or any event which required him to sit or stand amongst a group of other individuals and socialise. He always liked sticking to himself, out of everyone's way and in his own little corner so not to cause any unnecessary disruption amongst others. He felt a little uncomfortable while he stood next to Nora as she and her friend conversed, but his feelings had become a little better when Nora's hand was moved to sit on top of his.

They talked for close to twenty minutes before Nora had to prematurely end it on account of revenue agents she had noticed from in town. Trelawny allowed for them to hide in his caravan until it was clear enough for them to run, they just had to wait for his signal.

A whistle, a simple tune he could carry out which wouldn't call for any unwanted attention. It always worked and the minute Nora heared it, she grabbed Lem's hand and quickly ran out of the caravan and away from the settlement.

They kept running for a while until Nora had to stop, desperately taking in air to ease the burning in her lungs.

"Don't think we needed to run as far as we did, you alright?" Lem noticed how difficult it had become for the other to breathe, her hand on her chest as she struggled to intake air. It took a while for her to gain control but she was able to ease that burning as well as get decent control over the air flow, now breathing at a pace she found comfortable.

"Yeah, just ain't used to running." She sort comfort in making light of situations, which she had done now. Chuckling over her own words before standing up straight once more with a smile. Lem wasn't convinced but he wasn't one for confrontation, opting to simple smile and nod at her excuse.

"Okay. We should get going, your camp ain't to far." Nora nodded, patting the other on the shoulder before taking charge in the walk back to camp- always in front of him but yet not in a way to make him feel unwanted in her presence. She made sure to chat with him the rest of the journey, only going quiet once they got back to camp.

She smiled at Cripps before walking past and into her tent, still exhausted from running from Rhodes she had barely managed to lie on her cot before she passed out- happily accepting sleep to overcome her exhaustion.