SIXTH FLOOR

SIXTH FLOOR - PART 2

Chapter 2: The Crow's Omen

On my way to the Mart, the cloudy morning seemed to grow even darker as I walked briskly down the street. The quiet murmur of the city was occasionally broken by the sound of passing cars and the faint chatter of early risers. As I neared a small park along the way, a sudden movement caught my eye.

A large crow perched on a nearby lamppost stared at me intently. Its glossy black feathers seemed to absorb the dim light, giving it an eerie presence against the overcast sky. A chill ran down my spine, and I quickened my pace, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling creeping over me.

But as I passed beneath the lamppost, the crow let out a caw that sent shivers down my spine. Before I could react, it swooped down towards me, its sharp beak aimed straight at me. Instinct kicked in, and I flinched back just in time to avoid its peck.

Heart pounding, I stumbled backward, nearly losing my balance. The crow hovered in the air for a moment, its piercing gaze locked onto mine. With a final caw, it retreated, disappearing into the gray clouds above.

Breathing heavily, I glanced around, half-expecting to see someone else witnessing the bizarre encounter. But the street remained quiet and empty, as if the crow's aggression had gone unnoticed by the rest of the world.

Shaken but determined to continue, I gathered myself and hurried the rest of the way to the Mart. The automatic doors slid open as I approached, welcoming me into the cool, fluorescent-lit interior.

Inside, I tried to shake off the encounter with the crow as I went about gathering groceries. The mundane routine of selecting items from the shelves helped to distract me, but the memory of the crow's attack lingered in the back of my mind.

As I made my way to the checkout, I couldn't help but glance nervously over my shoulder, half-expecting to see the crow watching me from somewhere outside. But the parking lot beyond the windows was empty, save for a few parked cars and a lone bicycle.

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with a warm smile, noticed my anxious demeanor as she scanned my groceries. "Are you alright, dear?" she asked softly, concern evident in her voice.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to explain the encounter with the crow. "I... I think so," I replied, forcing a small smile. "Just had a strange encounter on my way here."

She nodded understandingly, her gaze sympathetic. "It's those city crows," she said, her tone lightening slightly. "They can be quite bold sometimes. Just be careful out there."

I thanked her and quickly paid for my groceries, grateful for her comforting words. With my bag packed, I hurried out of the Mart and back into the safety of my flat. The crow's omen still weighed heavily on my thoughts, leaving me wondering if there was more to its aggression than met the eye.