[b]Miriam
Chapter 12: Lingering decisions[/b]

It had once been a butcher's shop. Now it was a ruddy excuse for a bonfire. The rightmost wall of the building had collapsed and the charred boulder that had knocked it down lay in the center of the house, Miriam watched and awaited the inhabitants to scramble out of the burning ruins, though there was nothing. She concluded that they had left long ago. Hopefully. Miriam left her view by the window and turned to face Ellie and Anathema. She gave them a neutral look and then said.
	"I think we're under attack." Anathema had folded her arms and looked very serious.
	"By who?"
	"No clue." Miriam said and slid off the windowsill to the floor. She went up to where Eliana sat and lent her a brief inspection. The girl looked frigid and her eyes were wearily opening and closing, as if she was about to fall asleep. She was clearly still fighting off pain, as well. Miriam sighed and gave her a mild smile. "It's Miriam." She said, extending a hand down. "And I think it's time we left this block." She looked towards Anathema instead, while helping Ellie stand up. "Are you leaving?"
	"Tunnel." Anathema responded and briskly turned on her heels, she shouted firmly up the staircase. "Theodore!" And then she climbed the steps two at the time.

Miriam looked back to the pale faced and confused Ellie as she stood up swaying. She lent her a small smile.
	"Good to see you up." Eliana responded with a small nod and a grateful smile which was betrayed by the evidently constant pain she was experiencing. Anathema returned quickly enough with young Theodore in tow. She looked to Miriam as they headed towards the door behind the counter, where the tunnel would be. The woman was used to packing and leaving in a heartbeat.
	"Miriam, come on. We're getting outta here." Miriam gave a nod and waved her along.
	"We'll catch up." She said. "You go ahead." Anathema seemed reluctant but she knew better than to argue with the stubborn huntress and guided her son along into the pantry.
	"You better!" She said before disappearing into the room. Miriam looked back to the barely awake Eliana and perked a questioning eyebrow.
	"So. Where to next?" She asked with a polite smile, having no intention to leave the Spirit-Walker alone in this burning city, especially not in her current state.