text: When I used to think of dying, a feeling of absolute fear would grip me. My mind would wander into thousands of scenario’s that all ended in the most brutal and gruesome death possible. But, to be honest, the brutalities and atrocities that I pictured weren’t really what frightened me. In fact, those subjects tended to intrigue me from time to time. If you really must know what irked me the most about death, then I suppose I will tell you. It was the unknown moment that it struck which left me uneasy, and scared, and flooded my tongue with a bitter taste. Thankfully, none of that applies anymore....... Just two days ago I was walking through a local park. There was nothing unusual about the day, but at the same time nothing really went as it usually did. I know that sentence is a contradiction, but let me elaborate further. To do so, I will have to stray away from the telling you about the park for just a brief spell. I woke up at nine, like usual, but it was unusual since it wasn’t from the annoying assistance of my alarm clock. I was lightly thumped by a bump of weirdness that was quickly brushed off by the assumption that I’ve simply trained myself. Looking to my bedroom window, I noticed that it was raining outside. Another cold and dreary morning was just what I needed. After shaking my head and rubbing my eyes, I then carried on with the rest of my morning routine. When I left my apartment, I used my briefcase as a umbrella and proceeded down the sidewalk until I came to the bus stop. The usual group of old crows were all huddled together on the pavement beside me. I didn’t pay them much attention at first, but as time progressed I noticed that not a single squawk of protest sounded from the murder. Normally the bitter birds would scuttle around and peck at worms, all the while crying screams of resentment unto the heavens, but apparently not on that day. For some reason I was compelled and took a look down at them only to find their eyes intensely locked on to me. It was as if they all knew some kind of foreshadowing news about me. An eerie chill shot up my spine and I stumbled back a few feet until I was halted by a bulky, light pole. My hands reached around and braced my body up against the cylindrical shaft. My eyelids yearned to shut tightly, but for some reason unbeknownst to me, I couldn’t break contact with their dark, piercing eyes. All that I could do was stay locked in that dreadful stare and pray that the bus would arrive soon to free me from the dark-ling’s creepy glare. After what seemed like an eternity of bug-eyed staring, I was finally relieved by the sound of discharging air and squelching brakes. The bus stayed put for a drawn out moment and I began to wonder if the folding doors would ever open. I slowly nudged towards to vehicle’s gateway hoping to prompt action and indicate that, yes, I would indeed be riding the bus, but nothing was happening as fast as I wanted. The anxiety and sheer spookiness of the situation overcame my entire body and I found myself shaking and dripping wet. What was taking so long? As I continued to stand there, my eyes rapidly switched back and forth between my new bird friends and the stubborn door. I couldn’t be patient anymore and started rapping on the glass entrance. The driver was looking dead at me and shining a hideous smile my way, but his hands stayed firm upon the steering wheel and made no attempt to grab the lever. After a few seconds of giving me that ghastly grin, his head snapped forward and his foot stamped down on the accelerator. Smoke billowed from the bus’s screaming wheels and like a flash of lighting it took off and rounded the street corner. I was flabbergasted and stepped backwards until I was stopped by a bench. Sitting down, I buried my face into my palms. There would be no point in even trying to make it to work anymore. I was fired, and that was all there was to it. The weird little crow’s had almost escaped my mind, but then I heard raspy squawk that returned me to their horror. My head jerked up and I snarled at the dirty creatures. “What do you want,” I yelled aloud, with foamy drool dripping from my lips, but they didn’t react at all. With their black eye’s still fixated upon me, I decided that I had received enough of their torment and decided to take action. I jumped up from the seat and charged forward at them. They all flew off when I reached them and scattered in different directions above my head. I still gave one violent kick to area where they stood, but it only made me look like a fool attacking the thin air. I let out one last roar of anger and then silenced myself. I couldn’t let a group of bird’s get to me in such a way. By that time, the rain had ceased, but the sky was still gray and cloud filled. I then felt that a walk in the park was in order. There is just one last thing that I must tell you about before I get back to the park. As I was traveling to the mentioned location, I was astounded even more by the fact that the fiendish birds were following me. There were thirteen of them tightly huddled together and trailing close behind me. I constantly looked over my shoulder at them as I weaved in and out of a slew of pedestrian traffic that overcrowded the walkway. They looked like little, looming, messengers of death that were all cloaked in long black trench coats. Even though I thought it would be pointless for me to ask them another question, I still did so, but in a more polite manner. “Why are you following me,” I asked with the utmost remorse. I smiled crazily, shook my head, and started to turn back around. But, before I could perform the turn, I was halted in place by a raspy, high pitched voice. “We want to see you die,” answered one of the crows nonchalantly. “Die,” I said, “What do you mean?” The little black bird hopped a little closer to me then asked, “you are going to the park are you not?” I was completely stunned for a moment, but then caught my bearings let out a laugh. “Oh yeah? Well then tell me how that will happen,” I jested. The insulted crow simple lowered his head and shook it. Then, with the snap of his head, he gave a last, fierce look at me before taking his place back the group. In unison, all thirteen of them let out a blood curdling squawk then, as if that scream signaled their leave, they took to the skies a flew off. Finally, free of that curse, I continued on to the park. Even though getting to the park was the whole reason for this tale, I really feel that you already know what happens to me. I’ll fill you in with the highlights regardless. When I arrived, those thirteen, sneaky little crows were there waiting for me. I chuckled to myself and then approached them. I actually started to enjoy their strange company. As soon as I got over to them I reached my hand out and attempted to pet one of them. Without any warning, one of those dirty bastards stabbed my finger with it’s sharp beak. I quickly drew back and they did the same; retreating to a near by tree. They must have been getting a better view or just simply keeping their distance. I followed them with my eyes, and at the exact moment when my eyes connected with their eyes, death struck. One single bolt of lighting crashed down upon me and killed me instantly. And, that’s how I died. Oh yeah, there is one thing I forget to mention before I started telling you this. All my life I suffered from a mental condition known as paranoid-schizophrenia. I was released from the clinic because they told me I was cured; guess not. I suppose that might explain the crows. But, there is still one thing that I cant explain. How did they know that I was going to die? Now with an eternity ahead of me, to ponder this perplexing mystery, I wonder if I will every really know the answer. One thing is for certain though.......