Stormy Weather, a Continuation

A story continuation from @owasco's continuation of @freewritehouse's WeWrite challenge. Go see @owasco's post here - https://steempeak.com/wewrite/@owasco/stormy-weather-a-wewrite-and-a-contest - and @freewritehouse's challenge here - https://steempeak.com/wewrite/@freewritehouse/we-write-4-the-storm-last-week-s-winner-announced - for the story thus far.

Dragging himself up the front of the porch by the hands was the courier who had delivered the note from the Countess' brother; though her brother had the good fortune to wait out the storm indoors, the courier he had sent with his letter did not, and had suffered what looks like close to the full brunt of the recent lightning strike. The poor man's skin was frazzled and burnt, the arms of his jacket singed off, and his legs looked as if they could no longer support his weight.

Holding the door open the butler's eyes widened in horror as he stepped backward and shivered. George, his rifle raised and ready to shoot, lowered it, then placed it on the table. "Good god," he gasped.

The courier, obviously in shock, looked into the house with an expression that was a cross between pain, emptiness, and the sheer desire to live; with extreme effort he raised an arm toward George, desperate for any help the man might give. His mouth opened, closed, and opened again but no words came out, replaced instead by a tiny trickle of blood that had been covering his teeth.

The countess clutched her hands together and took another step backward. Leaving the rifle behind George hurried forward to the poor man. Another streak of lightning and crack of thunder outlined the seriousness of the courier's situation. Reaching the man quickly George kneeled, helped him to his feet by mostly carrying him, and brought him inside, noticing that he had not only been reaching out for help, but also had an object in his hand.

"Come, hurry!" George called to the butler who, now growing brave from George's action, approached for aid. "Get the coach!" The butler considered, confused, then nodded once and hurried off. Turning his attention back to the man George tried to soothe him. "My cousin, a doctor, is not far away. We will get you to him," George promised.

Looking for someone to continue the story! Let's see how many additions we can get.

(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe