Chapter 50: Kate

Summary

• In the corridor, Kate hears the sounds of birds striking her bedroom window, mistaking them initially for hailstones.
• Peering through her bedroom doorway, Kate observes numerous varieties of birds, including crows, owls, and robins, clamoring against the glass while snow falls outside.
• Kate realizes that the birds are there because of her, and she moves towards the sitting room where she finds Simon yelling.
• As Kate enters the sitting room, she sees Simon armed with a poker and notices the window glass beginning to crack from the birds' onslaught.
• Simon does not notice her at first due to the clamor, but when he turns and sees Kate, his expression changes to one of anger.
• Confronted with Kate, Simon accuses her of trying to leave with his child and violently shoves her against the wall.
• Simon begins to strangle Kate, and she experiences a rush of horror, sensing her impending death and the end of her freedom.
• While being strangled, Kate has a revelation of power, recognizing her own strength and heritage as a Weyward, not a feeling of panic.
• The window shatters and a flurry of birds and spiders invade the room, forcing Simon to release his grip on Kate as he is engulfed by the animals.
• Kate feels supported by the presence of her ancestors, embodied in the spiders, mayflies, and the crow that has been watching over her, sensing they have always been with her.
• Simon, overwhelmed by the attacking creatures, is left injured on the floor and cowers beneath the weight of the assault.
• When Kate commands everyone to leave, the creatures comply, departing after Simon exits, with her hair fluttering in the breeze they create.
• The departing creatures leave behind a littered floor of glass, feathers, and snow, which Kate finds stunningly beautiful.
• The crow hesitates to leave, showing a sign of connection to Kate, but eventually it departs, flying into the night as the police and her friend Emily arrive outside, knocking on the door and announcing their presence.
• Kate feels a sense of friendliness upon recognizing Emily's voice, and as police prepare to force entry, the chapter ends with the crow's final departure into freedom.