The water splashed beneath their feet, the fallen leaves dampening the vibrations. The trees were nearly bare now save for the few remaining reminders of a far less somber day. Each leaflet clung with the desperation of a forlorn generation, fully knowing its season had ended.  The autumn rain did nothing to slow the progression of life. With each cloud came a shower, each colder than the one before it.

               His breathes came in small puffs of smoke. He cupped his left hand over his mouth and sighed. With an umbrella grasped firmly in his right and his dame hooked to his elbow, the man made his way down the sodden street. Golden rays of light danced off his shoulder and umbrella, refracted into glittering rainbows by the raindrops clinging to the fabrics. He looked down. A distorted reflection stared back. A street lamp flickered.

               The trees were orange now, partially from the light but mainly from the lack of life. Though many were bare, some trees still hugged tightly onto the leafy coats that of which had once made them the subjects of a painter’s brush. But time takes its toll and the winter comes to reclaim what the summer had given. What the trees could not keep in their grasp now lay scattered by their feet, wilted and forsaken.

               Their footsteps sounded to inaudible rhythm. The woman wrapped herself around her companion, seeking the warmth that her coat denied her. A cool breeze slipped through the exposed legs peeking out from beneath a dark blue dress as she stepped gingerly ahead upon dark stilettos. The rain had come suddenly and unexpectedly, but she didn’t care. It added to the atmosphere. The splashing continued.

               Grey clouds hung above, thick enough to continue the drizzle, but thin enough for the pink sunset to fade through.  The sky was blue with light shades of gentle red dashed sparingly across the expanse. It was calm. It was quiet. It was all she could ask for.