Entanglement of Time

Chapter 13: Bird Army

Summary: There's a bunch of crows around Blackmore University. (This is a joke chapter that I decided to write). 

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The campus of Blackmore University has seen its fair share of strange occurrences, but nothing quite like this. It's as though the birds have suddenly declared the campus their territory. The air is thick with the sound of caws, croaks, and the occasional flurry of wings, creating an almost eerie symphony overhead.

Crows and ravens have descended on the university in what can only be described as a mass migration, occupying every available perch. Trees, once proud and tall, sag under the weight of so many birds, their branches creaking in protest. Fences that line the pathways are transformed into makeshift roosts, where the birds sit in clusters, their beady eyes watching passersby with unsettling intensity.

Even the statue of the university's founder, once a symbol of history and pride, has become a prime spot for a murder—or rather, an "unkindness"—of these clever birds, their dark forms perched on every available surface.

"I'm telling you, this is not normal," Wes declares, dodging yet another dive as a raven swoops low over his head, its wings cutting the air with a sharp whoosh. He instinctively ducks, his heart racing from the close call. "What is this, The Birds?!"

Mindy, standing next to him, raises her phone and snaps a quick picture, trying to capture the bizarre scene unfolding in front of them. "It's like Halloween came early," she remarks, squinting into the lens as a raven flaps nearby. "I'm calling it: spooky aesthetic, but with a side of unsettling. I mean, I didn't think the birds were this into the whole gothic vibe."

Ahead of the group, Amber walks with an air of calm indifference, seemingly unfazed by the aerial chaos. Her stride is unbothered, and there's a mischievous glint in her eye as she takes in the absurdity around her. It's as though the birds are just part of the daily scenery to her.

A particularly bold raven, more daring than the others, lands on a bench beside her, its glossy feathers ruffling in the breeze. It stares up at her, its dark, intelligent eyes locking onto hers with an almost human-like focus.

"Sup, buddy?" Amber greets casually, crouching down slightly to meet the bird's gaze, her lips curling into a smirk.

"Amber, don't!" Anika yells from behind her, taking a step forward with a hand raised in warning. She glances nervously up at the sky, then back at Amber. "Please, don't have it poop on you. You just got these jeans!"

"Amber," the raven croaks in response, its voice scratchy but unmistakably human-like. The group freezes in collective disbelief.

The raven has said her name.

The group stands there in stunned silence for a moment, processing what they've just heard. It isn't just the fact that the raven has spoken, but that it has said Amber with perfect clarity as if it's familiar with her.

"Did that bird just say your name?" Chad asks, his eyes wide, his voice a mixture of awe and horror.

"Yup," Amber replies nonchalantly, tossing a glance over her shoulder at the others as if this were the most natural thing in the world. She smirks and shrugs. "Guess I'm popular."

Tara, who's been nursing her coffee, mutters under her breath. "Or cursed." She grips her cup a little tighter, her knuckles turning white as she tries to suppress the strange wave of unease creeping up her spine.

Liv, visibly uncomfortable, edges closer to Chad, her eyes flicking nervously between Amber and the raven. "This feels like one of those moments where we should back away slowly and pretend we didn't see anything," she suggests, her voice tight.