(Old Version) The Blood of the Covenant

Chapter Three: Micah

Micah could smell home before he could even sense it. Their whole neighborhood smelled musty and salty, like fish. He had no idea why. They were nowhere near the ocean and even further from the fish markets. It was just the way it was around here.

    He must've walked a mile, but it felt longer. His limbs were aching and heavy, and his head throbbed unceasingly. Every once in a while, his foot seemed to catch on something, and he found himself stumbling, nearly falling to the ground. If it weren't for his sister's steady, guiding grip, he likely would've gotten a face-full of concrete by now.

    He hated feeling so helpless. Having to rely on someone to help him along. But he reasoned that it was his own fault he was in this state, so he had no grounds to complain. Besides, he was grateful that he hadn't had to sleep on a park bench tonight. Things could've been a lot worse.

    Their walking pace slowed, and Micah tensed, feeling out with his sixth sense to try and detect an obstacle. But there was none. They were just approaching home.

    "Careful up the stairs," Adelaide mumbled in warning. "They're a bit slick."

    He nodded his thanks and picked his way up the steps of the apartment building. He winced as his stiff legs strained, twinging with just enough pain to make the process uncomfortable. He'd done a number on himself.

    He made it to the second floor without much trouble. To the third, too. But upon reaching the fourth, his foot slipped on a little puddle, and he found himself pinwheeling backward.

    "Addie!" He yelped, blindly flailing as he searched for a handhold to steady himself with.

    A hand shot out and grasped his shirt, yanking him forward with a strength that almost had him falling in the other direction. Sure, it would be preferable to falling backwards down the stairs, but he could only take so much before just giving up on trying to stay upright. He latched onto his savior's arm, his heart racing at the close call.

    "I warned you it was slick." Adelaide admonished with a click of her tongue. "Be more careful and listen to me. I'm the hard of hearing one, not you."

    "Oh, very funny." He muttered, having finally caught his balance. "You're a true comedian, Addie. You should go on tour."

    "Are you kidding? There's no way I could." She chuckled. "I'm too busy keeping your sorry ass from dying every five minutes. I would never be able to leave you unsupervised for that long."

    "You say that like I'm not almost a legal adult."

    "Emphasis on almost. You aren't quite there yet, my dear, troublesome child."

    He frowned a bit at that. "Child?" He started to say, but she wasn't finished.

    "Besides, Mikey, when have you ever cared about legality?"

    "Oh, shut up, Addie. You make me sound like some kind of criminal."

    She snorted. "Aren't you, though?"

    "I mean, yeah, but—"

    "Watch the last step." She quickly warned.

    He nearly tripped, overcorrecting his stride in his sudden panic at the tone in her voice. He latched harder onto her arm, steadying himself.

    "God, Addie. You scared me. It's just a step."

    "You always trip over that last step. Don't give me any grief, I was just trying to help."

    He muttered reluctant gratuitous words under his breath, releasing her arm as she pulled away to go open the apartment door. He heard a soft click of the lock releasing, then another as she turned the knob and pulled open the door. He grinned as he sensed a familiar energy signature within perk up at the sound.