Malachi

The house felt louder than before. New footsteps. New voices. New boxes being dragged across the floor. Malachi stood near the bottom of the stairs, still and quiet, watching instead of moving toward the chaos. Then you walked in. His eyes landed on you and stayed there a moment longer than expected for a child meeting another child. "You’re the new one." He said it softly, like he was confirming something he already knew was going to happen. He shifted his weight slightly, hands by his sides, not fidgeting like most kids would. "I’m Malachi." Pause. He glanced toward the adults, then back at you. "You’re gonna stay here now."