At the burial, a raven settled on the girl’s casket. In an instant, the crowd was struck silent, their words vanishing into the air…

The miracle of her survival had given her a new perspective, a sense of purpose she couldn’t quite explain. One afternoon, as she sat in the shade of the tree, her mother joined her, carrying two mugs of hot cocoa. She handed one to Mona and settled on the grass beside her.

How are you feeling today? She asked softly, her eyes filled with concern. Mona took a sip of the cocoa, letting the warmth soothe her. Better, she said.

It’s still hard sometimes, but I’m trying. Her mother reached over and squeezed her hand. You’ve been through so much, she said, but you’re still here.

That means something, Mona. You’re stronger than you think. Mona nodded, her gaze drifting to Onyx, who was pecking at the ground a few feet away.

I wouldn’t be here without him, she said. He saved me, Mom. He knew I was alive when no one else did.

Her mother followed Mona’s gaze, watching the raven with a mix of gratitude and awe. He’s extraordinary, she said, and so are you. The conversation left Mona feeling hopeful, but she knew there was still one thing she had to face.

School. The thought of returning to the place where she had endured so much pain filled her with anxiety. Would her classmates treat her differently now? Would they leave her alone, or would they find new ways to torment her? The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she knew she couldn’t avoid it forever.

When the day finally came, Mona stood in front of the school gates, her heart pounding in her chest. Onyx was perched on her shoulder, his presence a comforting reminder that she wasn’t alone. Her parents had offered to walk her to class, but she had insisted on doing it herself.

I need to show them I’m not afraid, she’d said, though her trembling hands betrayed her nerves. As she stepped onto the school grounds, the buzz of conversation around her seemed to quiet. Students turned to stare, their eyes wide with surprise.

Mona kept her head high, her shoulders squared as she made her way to her locker. Whispers followed her down the hallway, but this time they didn’t feel like daggers. They felt like curiosity.

Is that the girl who, you know, came back? someone murmured. She looks different, another voice said, like she’s not scared anymore. Mona ignored the comments, focusing on her breathing and the reassuring weight of Onyx on her shoulder.

When she reached her locker, she found a folded piece of paper taped to the door. Her stomach twisted as she unfolded it, expecting another cruel note, but instead the message read, I’m sorry. The words were scrawled in messy handwriting and there was no name, but the sentiment was clear.

Mona felt a flicker of hope. Maybe things were changing. Maybe her story had reached them in a way that words never could.

The day passed uneventfully, with students giving her a wide berth but not engaging in their usual taunts. Mona felt a tentative sense of peace as she walked home that afternoon, Onyx flying ahead of her and landing on the gate as she approached. Her parents were waiting for her in the living room, their faces lighting up when she walked in.

How was it, her mother asked, her voice tinged with nervousness. It was, okay, Mona said, different. I think they’re afraid of me now, her father chuckled.

Good, let them be. Over the next few weeks, Mona settled back into a routine, but this time things felt lighter. The bullying stopped, and while her classmates didn’t exactly welcome her with open arms, they left her alone.

She began to focus on her studies, pouring her energy into her schoolwork and finding solace in the subjects she loved. Onyx remained by her side, his presence a constant reminder of how far she had come. As the chapter draws to a close, Mona sits under the oak tree once again, Onyx perched beside her…