At the funeral, a crow landed on the girl’s coffin. A second later, everyone there was totally speechless…

That morning, she walked into the school building with her head down, clutching her bag tightly against her chest. She could hear the whispers as soon as she entered the hallway. Look, it’s the freak, someone muttered.

A burst of laughter followed, and Mona felt her face flush with shame. She quickened her pace, hoping to reach her classroom before anyone could stop her, but she wasn’t fast enough. Three girls from her class stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

They smirked at her, their eyes cold and filled with malice. Where do you think you’re going, Mona? One of them sneered. Trying to run away again? Mona tried to push past them, but one of the girls grabbed her bag and yanked it out of her hands.

The contents spilled onto the floor, books, papers, and a small drawing she had been working on in secret. It was a sketch of Onyx, his wings spread wide as if he were soaring through the sky. The girls picked it up and began to laugh.

Is this supposed to be your stupid bird? One of them said, holding the drawing up for everyone to see. No wonder you don’t have any friends. You’re obsessed with a dumb animal.

Mona’s hands trembled as she reached for the drawing, but the girl crumpled it into a ball and threw it into the trash. The other students in the hallway watched the scene unfold, some laughing, others pretending not to notice. Not a single person came to Mona’s defense.

Tears stung her eyes as she bent down to gather her belongings, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the girls’ laughter fading as they walked away, satisfied with their cruelty. Mona wanted to scream, to tell them how much they were hurting her, but she couldn’t find the words.

Instead, she stuffed her things back into her bag and ran out of the school building, her vision blurred by tears. She didn’t stop running until she reached the edge of the village where a large oak tree stood in a field. It was her favorite spot, a place where she could be alone with her thoughts.

She collapsed onto the grass, her body shaking with sobs. Onyx, who had been waiting for her at home, soon found her there. He circled above her before landing gently on her shoulder, letting out a soft caw.

They hate me, Mona whispered, her voice barely audible. Everyone hates me. Onyx nuzzled her cheek with his beak, as if to comfort her.

Mona closed her eyes, leaning against the tree trunk as she let her tears flow. She stayed there for hours, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn’t control. The weight of her sadness was suffocating, and for the first time she wondered if things would ever get better.

When she finally returned home that evening, her parents were waiting for her in the living room. Her mother’s face was etched with worry, and her father looked more serious than usual. Where were you, Mona? her mother asked, rushing to her side.

We’ve been so worried. I’m fine, Mona said quietly, avoiding their concerned gazes. I just needed some air.

Her father placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm but gentle. Mona, you can talk to us, he said. If something’s wrong, we want to help.

Mona nodded, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell them the truth. How could she explain the constant bullying, the hateful words that replayed in her mind like a broken record? How could she make them understand the loneliness that consumed her? Instead, she muttered an excuse about being tired and went to her room. That night, Mona sat on her bed with Onyx perched beside her.

She stroked his feathers absentmindedly, her mind clouded with dark thoughts. Maybe they’re right, she whispered. Maybe I don’t belong here.

Onyx let out a sharp cry, startling her. It was as if he was protesting her words, refusing to let her give up. Mona managed a small smile, but it quickly faded.

She felt like she was drowning, and even Onyx’s presence couldn’t pull her out of the deep, dark waters. The following morning, Mona’s parents noticed that she seemed more withdrawn than usual. She barely touched her breakfast, and her responses to their questions were short and distant.

Her mother tried to cheer her up by suggesting they bake cookies together after school, but Mona just nodded silently. When Mona returned home that afternoon, she went straight to her room and locked the door. Her mother knocked softly, calling her name, but Mona didn’t answer.

Hours passed, and her parents grew increasingly worried. They tried calling her phone, but there was no response. Finally, her father broke the door open, his heart pounding with fear.

They found Mona lying on the floor, her face pale and her breathing shallow. Onyx was perched on her chest, cawing loudly as if trying to wake her. Her mother let out a cry of anguish as she dropped to her knees beside her daughter.

Mona, wake up, sweetheart, she pleaded, shaking her gently. Her father scooped her up in his arms, his hands trembling as he carried her to the car. We need to get her to the hospital, he said, his voice tight with panic.

Onyx flew after them, his sharp cries echoing through the quiet evening. As they sped toward the hospital, Mona’s parents prayed silently, their hearts heavy with worry. They didn’t know what was wrong with their daughter, but they knew they couldn’t lose her.

Onyx followed their car the entire way, his wings beating furiously against the wind. When they arrived at the hospital, doctors rushed to take Mona inside, running tests to determine what had caused her to collapse. Her parents stood in the hallway, clinging to each other for support as they waited for answers.

Onyx, perched on the windowsill outside, his piercing eyes fixed on the room where Mona lay. As the chapter ends, Mona’s parents are left in a state of anguish and uncertainty, their minds racing with questions they cannot answer. And, outside the hospital, Onyx remains vigilant, his cries echoing in the night as if he knows something no one else does…