Fall Antiques

There was something about the fall air that always warmed her heart - to the core, as deep as she could possibly feel it.

It could have been a combination of things - the brisk air, the smells of the decay that rose from the forest, or the lack of colors in the leaves that remained on the trees. She always felt at peace, almost somber - as loose as one could be while still in control.

She loved walking through the woods when it was this time of the season - the leaves crinkled below her feet, crunching and snapping, letting her know that soon the dark clouds would be approaching and bring forth the walls of white that would drench the forest. Maybe it was that she felt safe in the woods. The dull colors harbored her, surrounding her with browns, oranges, and deeps reds, like one giant blanket that was coiled around her, hiding her from everything else.

Deep down though, she knew what she loved - the look that came with dusk. It happened when the sun began to set early, casting a brown haze over everything it touched, blurring the outlines of shapes, dulling the vibrant colors of the trees.

It made everything look old, delicate, worn out.

Except for her. It made her feel as alive as ever.