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 knees felt weak, and every step toward the small white box felt like a mountain she couldn’t climb. When they reached the coffin, she let out a soft gasp, her hand flying to her mouth. Mona looked so fragile, so delicate.

Her mother leaned down, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter’s face. My baby, she whispered, tears spilling onto her cheeks. My sweet baby.

Her father placed a trembling hand on Mona’s shoulder, his breath hitching in his throat. We love you, he said quietly. We’ll never forget you.

As they turned to walk back to their seats, Onyx swooped down from the tree. Gasps rippled through the crowd as the raven landed on the edge of the coffin. He tilted his head, looking down at Mona’s still form, and let out a low, mournful caw.

The minister and several mourners tried to shoo him away, but Onyx didn’t move. He hopped closer to Mona, his movements deliberate and purposeful. Her parents froze, their grief momentarily replaced by confusion.

What is he doing? Her mother whispered. Onyx began to peck lightly at Mona’s chest, his sharp beak tapping against the fabric of her dress. The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, a mixture of shock and unease.

Some thought the bird was acting out of instinct, mistaking her still form for prey. Others believed it was a sign, though of what they couldn’t say. When Onyx moved to Mona’s face, her father stepped forward, his hand outstretched to push the bird away, but before he could reach him, Onyx let out a piercing cry and began to peck at her mouth.

Stop it, her father shouted, his voice breaking. Get away from her! The raven ignored him, his movements growing more frantic. He clawed at Mona’s lips, his wings flapping as if in desperation.

Her mother cried out in horror, turned away from the scene. But then something happened that no one could have anticipated. Mona coughed.

It was faint at first, a weak, choking sound, but it was unmistakable. Her chest heaved and her fingers twitched. Onyx let out another cry, hopping back as her eyes fluttered open.

The crowd gasped, their shock rippling through the cemetery like a wave. Her mother dropped to her knees, her hands trembling as she reached for her daughter. Mona, she whispered, her voice shaking.

Oh my God, Mona! Her father stood frozen, his mind struggling to comprehend what he was seeing. Mona’s lips parted as she took a shallow breath, her gaze unfocused but alive. She coughed again and her mother pulled her into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

You’re alive, she cried, you’re alive! The minister and several mourners rushed forward, their faces pale with disbelief. Someone called for an ambulance, their voice shaky with urgency. Onyx perched on the edge of the coffin, his head tilted as he watched the scene unfold.

He let out one final cry, a triumphant sound that seemed to echo through the cemetery. As Mona’s parents held her tightly, the truth began to sink in. Their daughter had been alive all along.

The doctors had missed something, some small but critical detail, and it was Onyx who had saved her. The raven, her loyal companion, had refused to give up, even when everyone else had. The chapter ends with the sound of sirens in the distance and the sight of Onyx taking flight, his dark wings cutting through the gray sky like a beacon of hope.

The ambulance raced toward the hospital as Mona lay on the gurney, her breaths shallow but steady. Her parents sat on either side of her, gripping her hands tightly, their faces pale with a mixture of relief and lingering fear. Onyx, ever vigilant, followed the ambulance from above, his dark wings cutting through the sky as he let out sharp cries that echoed through the air.

The paramedics exchanged puzzled glances as they monitored Mona’s vital signs. It’s unbelievable, one of them muttered to his colleague. Her oxygen levels are stabilizing, but how did this happen? They declared her dead, didn’t they? The other paramedic nodded, his brow furrowed in confusion.

It’s a miracle, that’s what it is. We’ll let the doctors figure it out. Mona’s mother stroked her daughter’s hair, tears streaming down her face.

You’re here, sweetheart, she whispered. You’re going to be okay. We’re going to make sure of it.

Her father sat silently, his jaw clenched as he fought back his own tears. He couldn’t shake the image of Onyx perched on the coffin, frantically pecking at Mona’s mouth. That bird had done what no one else could…