Submitted by ZevynD t3_z4z1h3 in nosleep

No one knew why Tyler Bruno hadn't spoken in six months, but I was determined to find out.

That evening, I arrived on time. The stone mansion sat on lush hills, surrounded by willow trees and gardens. A lake glistened in the backyard as swans’ silhouettes danced at the water’s edge.

A crow watched from the turret as I rang the bell. Then, a gray-haired woman answered, her eyes solemn as she invited me inside.

“Right this way. Mr. Bruno will be with you soon.”

Inside, the cherry hardwood floors sparkled, and the painted domed ceilings swept overhead. Moments later, Emerson Bruno appeared. He was tall with dark hair and wore a black business suit.

I shook his hand. “I’m Adam. Pleased to meet you.”

He motioned for me to sit. “I hear you have experience in this area.”

I nodded. "Nine years, sir."

He glanced down, reading snippets from my resume: "You studied under Dr. Chow—his work is impressive." He glanced back up.

"Yes, sir."

"Are you sure you're up for the task?"

"Absolutely, sir. Given what you've told me about your son, I can't promise anything, but I will do what I can."

Mr. Bruno nodded, satisfied. "Tyler is a complicated boy." He twirled his fountain pen, thinking. "Hannah and I have done everything. We read to him, encourage him to play the piano—anything—to express himself."

I nodded, sympathetic. Still, I wondered, why would a seven-year-old just stop talking? It must be trauma-related, but what was the trauma?

Tyler's silence had baffled everyone, including his doctors, so the family turned to me for help. I'd worked with children with selective mutism before, but Tyler would be my first client with total mutism. Unlike my previous clients, Tyler wouldn't speak to anyone.

"Six months, but no progress," Mr. Bruno said, taking a deep breath. "So don't expect much." He swiveled toward his desk and scribbled on a legal pad. "But let's try this for a week and reconvene to discuss our next steps."

"Sounds like a plan, sir."

I turned to leave, but Mr. Bruno stopped me. "And make sure to lock Tyler's bedroom door at night—from the outside. Sometimes Gretta forgets."

My heart fluttered, but something told me not to ask questions.

***

The next morning, Gretta led me to Tyler's room. The boy sat on his bed but didn't acknowledge me when I entered. Instead, he gazed out the window past the lush hills at a swan circling the lake.

Gretta smiled, then left Tyler and me to get acquainted.

"Hey, Tyler." I kept my voice gentle. "I'm Dr. Pearson, but you can call me Adam.

Okay?"

Silence. Not even a nod.

But I expected silence. Building rapport was an important first step with all new clients, but that would be more challenging with Tyler. Still, my empathy and patience would help win his trust.

I made small talk and asked basic questions. The goal was to help Tyler feel comfortable with me, even if he didn't speak. As expected, Tyler stayed silent.

But just as I turned to leave, he looked up. It was the first eye contact he’d made since I’d arrived.

This is progress, I thought.

Tyler’s green eyes were filled with sadness and fear. But why?

Then, a crow appeared at the window, stealing Tyler’s attention. Tyler stared at it, his eyes glued to the creature; he never turned back around.

***

Later, I chatted with Gretta, my primary contact, while Mr. and Mrs. Bruno worked late.

"What changes did you notice in the days before Tyler stopped speaking?"

She glanced down, thinking. "I guess his personality and mood changed a few days before.”

"Anything specific?"

"He seemed more withdrawn and agitated. Not like himself.”

"Was the mutism gradual or sudden?"

"He just stopped talking one day. I brought breakfast to his room one morning, but he didn't look up. Instead, he just stared at a crow perched on his windowsill, like he was mesmerized by it. He had the strangest look in his eyes." She shuddered.

"What do you mean?"

"His eyes—I don't know—he wasn’t himself.

I frowned, taking notes. “He did something similar earlier when a crow appeared. What’s the deal with the bird?"

"I don't know what it is, but whenever he sees a crow, he changes."

***

The next day when I met with Tyler, I had a new plan. I'd use art to help Tyler open up. His art could be his voice and help him work through his trauma.

Now I just need to figure out what his trauma is.

But this time, I didn't take notes; instead, I talked and listened with my eyes and ears.

"Your dad says you're quite an artist," I said, watching Tyler's body language. Even a change in his posture would be a positive sign.

Moments later, he shifted on his bed and turned his head.

This is something, I thought.

"You like to draw?"

After a moment, Tyler shifted again, then turned toward me, showing he was open to the topic.

"What do you like to draw?"

Silence. Then, he reached for his pencil and sketchpad. He sketched for a while, then showed me the image. I couldn’t believe the drawing came from a child his age. Perfect symmetry and shading and almost virtuosic attention to detail.

"Wow," I said, studying the sketch of his house. "Amazing. You're a talented kid, Tyler."

He gazed up and smiled. He was already exceeding my expectations.

At that moment, a bird squawked, and Tyler and I both turned to the window. An enormous crow—about the size of a possum—appeared and stared straight at us.

Tyler stared at the bird, unblinking. But when he turned back around and looked up, his eyes danced with an odd gleam. And his eyes were navy—almost black.

I jumped.

Then, a smile spread across his face, and he spoke. “Tyler isn’t here.”

***

I locked Tyler's door before I left that evening and chatted with Gretta.

"Why does Mr. Bruno want Tyler's room locked from the outside?"

She paused for a moment. "Mr. Bruno has been protective since the accident."

"What do you mean?"

She glanced down, nervous. "I'm surprised Mr. Bruno didn't tell you—"

"About what?"

"Eric."

"Tell me."

She nodded. “Tyler had a twin brother Eric, who used to sleepwalk. Sometimes he'd wander around the house or go outside. But one night, Eric fell down the living room stairs while he was sleepwalking. Broke his neck. Died before he got to the hospital."

“How tragic for you—for everyone. Why didn’t Mr. Bruno tell me?”

She fought back tears and shrugged.

“That explains a lot,” I said gently. “And it’s most likely the reason Tyler stopped speaking. Thank you for telling me.”

***

The next day, I gave Tyler the new sketchpad and pencil set I'd bought for him, and his face lit up. Art was therapeutic and seemed to help Tyler open up.

He spent most of the hour sketching. He drew trees, lakes, and gardens, and I was amazed by how lifelike they looked.

I pointed at the lake. "Your backyard?"

He nodded.

"Beautiful work."

He smiled, then flipped to a fresh page. But his next sketch surprised me. This time, a lifelike image of his living room—staircase and all—materialized. My eyes widened as I studied it.

A boy identical to Tyler stood at the top of the staircase. And behind him, in the shadows, stood another boy, his twin.

I pointed to the two boys. "Tyler, tell me more about this scene."

Tyler answered me through his art. He flipped to a fresh page and sketched another image, but this one was far more detailed.

This sketch captured one boy mid-fall as he flew down the staircase. His eyes bulged, his arms flailed, and his mouth twisted into a hideous scream. And his brother stood behind him, his arms extended in a pushing motion.

And he was laughing.

My stomach churned, and I took a deep breath to steady my voice. “Is there anything else you want to tell me, Tyler?”

At that moment, a crow landed on the windowsill and stared straight at us. And like before, Tyler stared, transfixed; he didn’t move or blink.

Then, moments later, he turned back toward me and looked up. But this time, his eyes were coal black; all traces of Tyler were gone.

Instinctively, I knew what to ask: “Who are you?”

A smile crept across his face as he whispered: “The one who pushed.”

1,703

Comments

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krik7 t1_ixuqgki wrote

Do you think exorcism would help? It just might... 🤔

136

ZevynD OP t1_ixursjz wrote

That's the only other option I can think of because this situation is too much for a psychiatrist. Unfortunately, the parents are still in denial about what happened, so I have to help them face the truth.

112

krik7 t1_ixuwz8l wrote

You better do it fast... Or the child may get permanently lost to something horrible... All the best... 👍🏻

41

ZevynD OP t1_ixv97ii wrote

Thanks! I’ll need all the luck I can get.

26

krik7 t1_ixy74fc wrote

Best of luck... 🙌🏻

1

DrowningFelix t1_ixvocb7 wrote

Kill the crow, if you can. Crows in some folklore carry the souls of the dead. This entity is using the crow to pass on into Tyler. Maybe try closing the curtains, or even painting over his window in some way?

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Jaded_Toe1656 t1_ixvscoo wrote

The symbolism of the crow is interesting. Do you think an exorcism would work?

21

DrowningFelix t1_ixvss1s wrote

Perhaps, but if you exorcise Tyler the spirit may just go back to the crow and either find someone else or come back later. Which makes me wonder if killing the crow would just make the spirit latch onto something or someone else. I think another idea would be to try to learn more about the entity itself- what it is, where it came from and how to keep it there.

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ZevynD OP t1_ixx1xec wrote

I agree that the crow’s symbolism is interesting. I’ll have to learn more about that because you might be onto something here.

10

RyderBrax t1_ixtlnyq wrote

See this is why I hate crows. Those damn birds, I swear. Look out, OP.

60

ZevynD OP t1_ixttasf wrote

Couldn’t agree more. Thanks for the support.

21

randauum t1_ixu3q30 wrote

So the real Tyler is dead and his sleep walking twin who was possessed by a weird spirit in disguise, is taking Tyler's place?

27

ZevynD OP t1_ixurkbp wrote

No. Twin died. Possessed Tyler did it.

43

randauum t1_iy2aln3 wrote

Did he die tho.... Sometimes parents may find it hard to differentiate between twins.

1

mike8596 t1_ixwdh4o wrote

This sounds like it's really going somewhere. I hope that you'll post more about Tyler.

19

ZevynD OP t1_ixwzjkn wrote

I’ll keep you posted if anything else happens. Wish me luck.

13

Teewinot34 t1_ixvu0rs wrote

Can’t wait to hear how the rest of the week goes!

5

ZevynD OP t1_ixwzbkv wrote

I’ll keep you posted if anything crazy happens.

2

Simokthxbai t1_ixws3v7 wrote

What if it's a different personality taking place triggered by the crow? Like a multiple personality disorder type of thing?

5

ZevynD OP t1_ixx0k0m wrote

Like dissociative identity disorder? Interesting point. Maybe, but something about the crow seems to be triggering the personality change. To me, that seems to suggest something paranormal is at work. Still, that’s a great point.

6

Gallifrey91 t1_ixxsngi wrote

That wouldn't explain the change in eye colour.

3

Simokthxbai t1_ixyrk7d wrote

True, unless the eyes look "black" because the pupils got bigger? P.S. Gallifrey! Love it

2

Deb6691 t1_ixut3bo wrote

Maybe take up hunting and culling crows.

3

ZevynD OP t1_ixv9c1w wrote

I don’t know if I see much of a future in crow hunting, but we’ll see!

5

VermontFella t1_ixwutlx wrote

You reeeeally shouldn’t give out clients names…

3

ZevynD OP t1_ixwzus1 wrote

Forgot to mention the parents signed a waiver allowing me to share their experience.

8

Hi123Hi321 t1_ixwyu0l wrote

“Tyler loved you. He loved you and you killed him.”

3

Beckystrong007 t1_ixxixcl wrote

Kill that damn bird.

2

ZevynD OP t1_ixxolvv wrote

Lol. I’m keeping my mind open to all possibilities.

2

CarcarcraziiV2 t1_ixxpr70 wrote

I cant be the only one who immediately thought you meant you are a child who is a psychiatrist lol

2

ZevynD OP t1_ixxqmbj wrote

Child and adolescent psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry that treats mental disorders in kids and teens. It’s also called pediatric psychiatry.

2

CarcarcraziiV2 t1_ixxqoxu wrote

Yeah I caught on after i finished reading the title haha just was my first thought somehow 😂

2

A_wildwolf_appeared t1_ixyetrz wrote

Ahhh yes
Doppio and Diavolo
but this time the Diavolo is way more demonic than the current Diavolo.

Welp altering ego's in the wrong times is weird, and I suppose the other side of that kid would kill anyone anytime.... + that kid is the real owner of that body so....
Exorcism would surely help or else that ain't a normal guy, it's like a legion with Dissociative Identity disorder.

2

AuroraWolfMelody t1_iydlfne wrote

Crows are very smart and very flock oriented in nature. When they claim a person or place they rarely move on from them. In mythology they are seen as malicious tricksters, or sometimes representatives of The Morrigan. An Irish... diety(?) The Morrigan is associated with war and death, believed to incite warriors to battled she is sometimes depicted as a death omen and sometimes as a protector of warriors. Good luck OP. Sounds like you're gonna need it for this case.

2

goosebumps19 t1_ixx4ngu wrote

This is why we dont talk about bruno

1

HoneyMCMLXXIII t1_ixxa4dg wrote

Well…it’s a breakthrough, he’s talking. Good job there. I imagine this must be terrifying. I’d suggest blackout curtains but the poor kid can’t be kept in the darkness forever. Best of luck, and be careful! Please keep us posted!

1

EdgyBetty6669 t1_ixxwgft wrote

Befriend the crow with shiny things to find out more about it. Good luck OP.

1

scbejari t1_iy3ad0h wrote

Kill the crow

1