Autumn

"By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire ". Or so it seemed that way because of the autumn sun shining on them. The sun would always shine on the leafs a certain way giving them a look as if they were on fire. The entire street block on both sides had trees that looked like they were on fire. I think I would be completely devastated if I had to move from this place. This was the most beautiful part of Maine in my opinion, and all the tourist that came thought so as well. I always loved walking to my best friend Naythans house this time of year. The cool crisp air and the gorgeous red, and yellow, and orange colors put me at such calmness. I very rarely was ever depressed or sad since we first moved here when I was 10. My family thought I was weird when it came to fall time, because I would just sit outside for hours just watching the leaves. I never felt as close to nature as I do during the autumn time. It was like it called to me. I felt like I could feel the life of the trees the woods and the animals all beckoning to me. Calling to me as if i was needed for something far greater than i could imagine. Or so it seems i told that to Naythan once and he laughed.

I was about to knock on Naythans front door when I heard the whispering coming from the side of the house. Naturally I was curious so I walked to the side of the house and didnt see anybody, but the whispering was louder now. I continued to follow it till I realized that it was leading me to the woods. I was surprised when i saw a path leading into them. I wonder if Naythan knew it was here i said out loud. I jumped ten feet in the air when i heard him say "no i didn't know". Ahhh you almost gave me a heartache i exclaimed. He laughed and said sorry. We then looked at the path, are you thinking what I'm thinking he said. I smiled and said lead the way.

Both me and Naythan loved exploring abandoned places, or pretty much anything that seemed to catch our interest. We were in awe as we started down the path. Their was red, and, orange, and yellow falling all around us. It was weird but I felt like the whole forest was welcoming me. I could see different animals just staring at me as we walked through the woods. Naythan didnt seem to feel the same way. We continued on in silence untill I stopped because the whispering started up again. I looked at Naythan do you hear it ? I asked. He shrugged and said just the wind. He continued walking. I followed behind but stopped when the whispering came from beside me on the right. It said my name as I looked toward the right I saw a glimmering figure with leafs and animals all around it beckoning to me. I looked at Naythan that was far ahead when the wind started blowing vigorously. Before I could say anything I blacked out.

The wind was so strong I didnt realize Arabella wasnt behind me untill it stopped. Arabella I yelled as loud as I could. I ran back toward the last place we stopped yelling her name. I yelled for so long my voice got hoarse. As I ran back to get help a story my great grandma told me once ran through my head.

" long ago this little part of maine was nothing special. But that all changed when the fey folk came to the founders of thos town and offered to make this the most beautiful part of Maine on the condition they get to pick when the time comes a person at one with nature and the love for autumn, to keep the autumn vibrant and beautiful. The townsfolk agreed to this and so the daughter of our town mayor was chosen. The townsfolk accepted it and continued on with their lives. And so began the legend of the fey folk of this part of Maine." I wasnt sure if I believed the legend, but it was always in the back of my mind.

The entire town searched for Arabella for two weeks before giving up. I on the other hand would go into the woods everyday still searching. It go so bad that I wouldn't sleep for 3 or 4cdays untill one day my parents forced me into my room and locked the door and window saying I could come out once I slept. I didn't have the strength to argue or protest so I layed on the bed and sank into a deep sleep. Arabella came to me in my dream. She seemed so happy, and quite beautiful. I realized then that she was chosen. My grandmas story is true. She never said a word, but she didnt have to I understood completely. Thinking back she was a huge autumn lover and was always spending her time outside just looking at the autumn colors as well as trying to pet all the animals because they seemed drawn to her everytime she was outside. I woke up with a resolve. And every year this part of Maine became known as the most beautiful place to y visit in the fall. Everytime autumn began I would find myself in the woods enjoying the beautiful colors and tranquility because I knew Arabella was here somewhere keeping an eye on every living creature, and plant around our entire town. We never had to worry about poachers, or people who like to liter, because the ones that did those things wound up missing and never heard from again. The townsfolk all believed the legend once Arabella dissapeared, and as they did back then they went on with their lives.