The forests that bordered old Pettigrew Manor had been lit afire with the robust colors of fall. Sarah Whitley, aged nineteen, looked out plaintively at their red and gold leaves with the utmost feeling of sympathy. The beauty, she thought, would only last so long. An inevitable death would turn those passionate hues to dismal browns as they fell, their only welcome the cold earth and a promise of bitter winter.
"Today," she murmured to herself "Is the last day I will be happy."
It was a realization she was not anxious to make. Her betrothal to Marcus Emerret had now become an engagement and her wedding day was just on the horizon, Springtime bearing not only flowers but chains to a man she did not love. Right now she felt like the leaves of autumn- her will still burned for life and beauty, though it would only last so long... That spiraling thought of forever being servant to horrible Marcus had drawn her deep into the recesses of her mind.
"Sarah?" Came a gentle voice beside her. A good hour or so had passed since the young girl had brought herself to the placid lakeside, but she was surprised it had passed so quickly. John had met her here as agreed and- with a heavy heart- she knew she had to tell him the truth.
"Sit down," The fair-haired girl offered, patting the bench beside her. "Please."
Handsome young John removed his cap and rubbed the edges of it between his fingers, but obliged to her wish.
"John, I must tell you something. It is something that I- I have known for a long time, and it has guilted me that you did not know before." Her pale blue eyes grew misty, already, as they typically did on the emotional woman.
John looked at her, slightly wary, but coaxed her on. His hand fell on hers as she readied herself, before she finally blurted:
"I am engaged!"
The boy drew back his head, initially surprised, until his features contorted with pain and confusion.
"Sarah- what? You're... why? What- I don't..." He stammered feebly and withdrew his contact, as the young Whitley girl swallowed a sob. "There is nothing I can do on the matter. I leave tomorrow at dawn for the Divinity Orchards up North."
Both sat in contemplative silence, John somewhat shocked and Sarah somewhat regretful. Neither could believe the fact they would never see each other again. It was a heavy burden.