A Life Of 'Shine - Lem Fike

56

Lem cursed frantically as he rushed over to her aid. She was still and not moving and unfortunately everyone became so distracted in making sure their friend was alright that the revenue agents were able to push closer in.

While few remained they were still significantly outnumbered and Nora was a good shot, they were just fortunate that Harry and James had showed up when they did because even with Nora and her gun skills her two brothers out ranked her in that field of expertise.

"Nora, come on sweetie, wake up now." Cripps called, tapping her cheek gently. They all looked confused at the strange voice the man had put on, as if trying to impersonate a woman.

When Cripps realised the strange looks cast his way he simply shrugged and waved off their curiosity. But unfortunately, Nora would have to wait for agents still had been creeping closer.

"Kieran; Take Nora inside." Lem instructed to which the male obliged. He picked up the girl and carried her into the shack and out of harms way, not leaving her side once setting her down for worry over what could happen if he left.

He heard the shouting and shooting but could never fully hear what they had all been saying. He tried listening in case any revenue men gave instructions, something that could wipe out the rest of his team but eventually the shouting stopped and then the shooting until nothing but silence haunted outside.

He stayed by Nora for a moment, incase this was some strange interlude but there was nothing and so slowly he stood, creeping out of the room he was in and towards one of the doors, just to see if it were to be opened and anyone come in.

There was nothing.

He grew worried, what had happened to his friends?

He did not want to go outside for fear of what he could see, but he needed to know of what had happened to the other's, why they weren't coming in.

He looked back at Nora, sleeping with a twisted expression, he could not imagine her pain the impact of hitting the shack after an explosion and being knocked out was never something he was fortunate enough to experience.

He did not want to leave her but he needed to know what was keeping the other's and he hoped to god it was not that they were dead.

So slowly he twisted the handle, walking outside to see that they were all still alive at least. He let out a breathe of air; his hand running through his hair and he looked relieved to see them all.

"I got worried; the shooting stopped and none of you came in."

Lem nodded, picking up the body of a revenue agent and walking towards the back of the shack where a lazy river lay.

"Gotta hide the bodies, son. Is Nora okay?" Cripps asked, patting the former O'Driscoll on the shoulder.

"She's alive.. jus' ain't awake yet."

Cripps nodded before he resumed his own 'cleaning' task. Kieran would have offered to help but he knew they would not mind it if he was to stay with Nora, which was his intentions anyway.

There was something haunting about the moonshine shack now once he entered it again, something he could not quite explain as he walked within it's old walls.

She lay still on the bed aside from the occasional rise and fall of her chest as she still managed breathing. But it all didn't seem real, as if he was imagining what he saw.

He had to double check, call him weird for doing so.

Slowly, he crept closer and held his head just above her own, his ear close to her mouth just to hear for himself if she was actually breathing and thankfully, she was.