A Life Of 'Shine - Lem Fike

59

Using the cover of darkness as a worthy disguise, Kieran and Harry began to set out on their journey towards Strawberry.

They were the last of the group to leave and it made Kieran a little nervous, not knowing whether the other's had made it to their destination okay and unharmed.

Unfortunately for Kieran, the person he was paired with was someone he had some differences with. They could avoid one another easily at camp, when they had somebody else to talk with but as of now- well the silence was better than shared harsh words and even then, the silence could only last for so long before they felt that awkwardness amidst them.

Strawberry thankfully wasn't too far away and soon the pair would be able to reunite with the other's and not have to spend time with eachother alone anymore. Soon Kieran could go off and bask in the quiet space he could enjoy without fear of abuse from any of his fellow campmates solely based off of one gang he temporarily ran with, at least, with Nora around he could enjoy it.

By the time they got to Strawberry, the sun had began to crack through the dark sky and miserable clouds, casting a ray that brightened up the roads and shops. But, this early in the morning meant the town was quiet with everybody asleep for the most parts. The men saw one or two faces as they passed and they made quick note to avoid any suspicious gazes, but passing through the small town was a breeze and soon they were able to dismount their horses to stock up on some supplies at the general store which they were surprised to have been open at this time.

They bought tinned goods, mostly because they would last longer, and left the store. Now they just needed to wait for either one of their own crew to show up and retrieve them.

~

Thirty minutes it felt, although it could have been less time, was how long they had waited until they noticed the friendly face of Nora begin to ride up in the distance.

Kieran smiled warmly, gently walking up towards her in greeting as she began hitching the horse outside of the store front the pair had waited by. Her eye's looking around the area to see if anybody could so happen to be looking before dragging the duo behind the store and onto a part of the balcony that overlooked the river.

"You ain't had trouble here have you?" She asked.

Kieran shook his head. "No, course not." She nodded, satisfied with his response.

"We're hidin' at Aurora Basin, a small cabin just near there. Harry- you may remember it bein' the place where we found Sean all them month's back."

He thought for a moment before nodding quickly once the realisation hit him. "Yes, I know it."

"It's a good place; perhaps too small for all of us but it'll do and, well, I would rather take bein' safe over bein' comfortable."

They silently agreed before the group set out for their horses, mounting up and riding out towards the cabin the other's were waiting. It wasn't too far, a good distance from the town which was ideal but at the same time it meant that while out for a supply run they would be more vulnerable on the roads; larger, slower vehicle 'n all.

"How did you get on while ridin' out here Nor?" Harry called out, looking just ahead at him.

"Me an' Lem got here fine, revenue agents decided to set up a road block on the road we took so we had to turn around and travel a longer distance which threw us off a little for time.