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…

Her mother shook her head. It’s more than that. This could help people, other kids who are going through what you did.

You have a chance to share your story, Mona, to make a difference. Mona thought about her mother’s words as she lay in bed that night, Onyx perched on the windowsill beside her.

The idea of sharing her story was terrifying, but also exciting.

If her experiences could help even one person feel less alone, wouldn’t it be worth it? The next day, she took the notebook to school, her hands trembling as she carried it in her bag.

During lunch, she approached her teacher, a kind woman who had always treated Mona with respect, even when others hadn’t. I wrote something, Mona said nervously, handing her the notebook.

I thought, maybe you could read it. Her teacher smiled warmly. Of course, Mona, I’d be honored.

Over the next week, word of Mona’s story began to spread.

Her teacher shared the notebook with the school counselor, who then shared it with the principal. Soon, Mona was asked to speak at a school assembly about her experiences.

The thought of standing in front of her classmates, the very people who had tormented her, made her stomach churn with anxiety.

But when the day of the assembly arrived, she took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. As she spoke, the room fell silent.

Mona described the pain of being bullied, the hopelessness she had felt, and the miracle that had brought her back.

She spoke about Onyx, how he had been her only friend during the darkest times, and how his loyalty had saved her life. By the time she finished, the auditorium was filled with tears…