A Life Of 'Shine - Lem Fike

52

Nora had set out fairly early that following morning. The only people up while she was leaving being Jack, Abigail and Karen.

Karen- who had already gotten her hands on a few bottles, completely disregarded Nora's attempt at a small conversation, but the female couldn't bring herself to be so bothered by it.

While Nora took one last look around the camp she had noticed the drastic change from her first meeting. It was more, depressing. No longer as lively around here, no more songs, no more laughter. Everyone was afraid and for what? All of this could have been prevented long ago, even Nora knew that and understandably they were all on the edge given Hosea and Lenny's deaths and John's arrest shortly after.

Nora took one look at Jack before she left- most of the journey she spent into Saint Denis was how scared that boy had looked. Four years old and witness to so much sadness that befalled the only family he ever knew.

If the gang continued this way it would only be a matter of time before they all perished.

Some members of the gang would most likely have been long dead by now, like Sean and Kieran- both were miraculously alive today due to Nora. She pulled Sean to the side and nursed Kieran to health. Maybe she would have helped Hosea and Lenny if she had taken Dutch's offer, but there was nothing she could do over that now.

No- for now all she could do was help Arthur and Sadie with rescuing John.

~

She got to Doyle's Tavern, where Arthur had told her to be, before the man who had invited her along in the first place. Admittedly, she was surprised to be here before him but she figured that there was most likely other things he needed to take care of before hand.

She entered the Saloon, Sadie nowhere to be seen and so she decided on buying herself a drink to pass time as she waited. Whiskey was her choice of course, it was her favourite drink.

"So we ready to head out then?" Sadie called, emerging from the back of the establishment. She frowned when it was Nora and not Arthur waiting. "Where's Arthur?"

"Ain't sure- figured you would know."

"I don't. Why are you here?"

Nora shrugged. "Arthur asked. So I accepted."

"You ain't in the condition to fight."

She rolled her eyes, placing fifty cents down for another glass of whiskey. The beverage was gone in one gulp. "Look- I'm okay, everyone seriously needs to stop worryin'."

"What'd Lem say?"

"Excuse me?" Nora gave Sadie a side-eye glance. "He cares about you, Nora. Was just curious to what he said 'bout you bein' here."

"He don't know."

Sadie let out a long sigh. "You didn't tell him."

"Didn't realise I had to."

Sadie opened her mouth to speak some more but was interrupted through the door being forcibly opened- a loud bang interrupting the quiet of the building. Both women looked over, noticing it was Arthur who had entered.

"We should go now." Sadie announced. Arthur looked a little annoyed at them leaving so early but knew better than to say anything about it.