Ficlet: Autumn

[meridian_rose]

Autumn turned the leaves brown and red, until they fell from their trees, leaving skeletal branches to haunt the forests. The tall evergreens however held onto their finery, the prickly firs majestic as they rose through the chilly October mists, the yew trees bearing red berries that contrasted with their thin, dark green leaves.

She loved the forests, loved the new green buds in springtime, loved the shade of the chestnuts and firs in summer. She loved it best of all now, the weather cool enough to enjoy long walks wearing sensible clothing, seeing her breath ghost before her as she hiked her favourite trail.

At the summit of the hill she paused to take a drink from her water bottle. She pulled a tiny pebble from her pocket and placed it at the base of the largest tree. It was part of a ritual she'd developed spontaneously on the first year of what had become an annual pilgrimage.

This place had been her home for five years now, far from the crowded city. Here she had rebuilt her life.

Here, she was at last content.