Little Raven

Chapter II

The chirping of birds and the sounds of nature woke me. Beside me, Nala slept without a care, stirring my envy for her peaceful slumber. "I wish I could sleep as soundly as she does," I muttered, stretching and rising to greet the day. The kitchen greeted me with a swift breeze, signaling a cool, soft day with the promise of rain. An odd feeling hung in the air, but I shrugged it off.

I took a cup of freshly brewed coffee from the counter and settled by the fireplace, now filled with gray ash instead of last night's flames. Nala ambled into the kitchen just as a flurry caught my eye outside the window. Small objects darted past, settling on the wires around my house.

Ravens. They perched all around, silent observers. "Let's hope these don't speak to us, Nala," I said. The cat nestled between my legs, eyeing each raven. I withdrew from the window, trying to distract myself from the unsettling sight.

The air warmed slightly, as did the ring. The day grew darker, the earlier hint of rain intensifying. The ravens seemed to convey a message, much like the "brother" from the previous night. The pills from last night were missing, and the ring's warmth increased.

Needing fresh air, I donned boots, a hoodie over my T-shirt, and jeans, then stepped outside. The synchronized turning of the ravens' heads nearly drove me back inside, but I pressed on, seeking solace in the open air.

Before long, I arrived at a familiar halt at my journey's end, just before a vast lake I frequented to find solace, which was much needed at that moment. The rustling of the wind through the trees and the gentle lapping of the lake's waves brought tranquility, easing my thoughts away.

"What did I tell you?" I nearly leaped into the cold water as the voice startled me. "Well, if it isn't the talking bird you claim as my 'brother,'" I said with a hint of sarcasm, eyeing the bird that was supposedly my 'brother'—the one I was supposed to trust. "Why are you here? Don't you have better things to do with your little bird life?" He seemed to shudder as I concluded my sentence, and then he spoke.

"I came to warn you because you ignored my caution last night, and yet you continue to wander as if there's no threat lurking." "That's harsh. I'm not foolish, and no, I didn't heed your warning because 'he' doesn't exist, so your alarm is unnecessary."

"Hazel," Asher said through gritted teeth, "listen to me before it's t—" His words were abruptly silenced by a loud boom emanating from the lake's center, where the water seemed to part. A man, tall yet slight, emerged and swiftly grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the lake at an alarming speed.

I felt myself being pulled under, sinking deeper as Asher's voice called out my name from above the water's surface. As I descended, losing oxygen and frantically moving my arms—unable to swim—I heard the advice, "You need to be calm."I attempted to remain calm, but the voice only intensified my agitation, and ultimately, I lost consciousness due to the lack of oxygen.