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.