The Little Crow

Prologue - [Out the Window]

Thea's eyes fluttered open at the sound of pebbles clattering against her window. At first, thinking she was dreaming as it had felt like a century ago that she had last heard that sound, she kept her eyes closed tightly. If it really was a dream, she hoped she would not wake up, seeing as that sound brought back quite the pleasant memories.

But when she heard the clattering again, the sound as real as it could be, she sat up in her bed.

It was dark out still, dark enough for her to not be able to read her clock, but not so dark as to indicate that it was the middle of the night. The inky black night sky had a hint of purple in it, the evidence of a small bit of light as the sun began to make its way up, made it clear that it was nearly dawn.

Clattering again.

She pulled her covers away, stood up and took a step forward before pausing. She wasn't scared, no... because she was certain she knew who was throwing the pebbles, but she was suddenly nervous and confused.

Why was he coming here? Why now?

However, it seemed she had taken too long to react, because before she could make it to the window, she saw his head pop up and peek into her bedroom.

She hesitated once more, her mind racing in both surprise and worry, before rushing over to the window and lifting it open with a little bit of struggle. "What–"

"I thought you didn't hear," he said quickly, sounding a little out of breath from the climb. Of course he should have been, since climbing up a tall, two story home would have been difficult for any sixteen year old boy. "So I came up anyway."

She had so many questions, but pushing it all aside as she was more worried for his safety, she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him, helping him over the window sill and through the window. When he was safely on the floor of her bedroom, he collapsed, taking a few deep breaths and wiping the sweat off of his forehead.

"You can't do that anymore, you know... you're not a kid..." she said to him, crouching down next to him and hugging herself. Of course, she knew that wasn't entirely true. Sure, he wasn't a kid anymore, but he was still the most able bodied, athletic boy in the entire school. He was on all the sports teams and was clearly extremely fit... it was why all the girls liked him so much.

She also assumed it was the reason for why they weren't really friends anymore... why she had nearly forgotten the sound of tiny pebbles clattering against the old glass of her window... why she thought it was a dream.

Why would he want to continue to climb through her window and spend time with her? Sure, it was what he always did when they were kids, but now there were so many other prettier, smarter, more popular girls who wanted his attention. She was just... boring old Thea.

Though those thoughts did intrude into her mind, she pushed them aside instantly. That wasn't really what should have been at the forefront of her mind at this moment. How could she allow it to be?

Suddenly she didn't know what else to say to him, the mind fog from just waking up fading away and reality hitting her hard. She was speechless now, not knowing what she could possibly say to him after the horrors of what had happened today.

Almost as if reading her mind, he looked up at her when she started to think of it.

When the image of his sister infiltrated her mind.

Amara.

She could see the pain in his eyes... the pain and the sadness.

She had to say something. "I..."

He looked away immediately, crossing his legs on the floor of her bedroom.

"I'm sorry..." was all she could ultimately muster up.