Autumn Stories Novels & Stories

Autumn arrived in Oakhaven with a sharp, brisk wind that turned the leaves in the forest behind our house into a beautiful, burning tapestry of gold and deep red. It was a melancholic change, but it didn't feel lonely. Instead, it felt like the house was finally settling into its own rhythm. We spent our evenings by the fire, but now, instead of talking about the things we were running from or the fears that used to keep us awake, we started planning for the winter. It was a new kind of preparation, one that felt hopeful.

This is just a scrap of poetry, and these are just stories. Stories. That’s all. I’m not a coward. I’m not. Still, I fold the piece of paper and stick it back into the box. *** Closing the door behind me and locking it, the early fall sun feels warm and friendly, helping to diminish the chills those crazy stories set loose in my bones. As a reader and writer I of course need solitude, but I also love being with my family. Right now, I want to be with them more than usual. The most haunting thing about those stories . . .

"This one never forgets!" "It's lovely here in autumn!" said the little maiden. And suddenly the atmosphere grew as blue again as before; the forest grew red, and green, and yellow-colored. the dogs came leaping along, and whole flocks of wild-fowl flew over the cairn, where blackberry-bushes were hanging round the old stones. the sea was dark blue, covered with ships full of white sails; and in the barn old women, maidens, and children were sitting picking hops into a large cask; the young sang songs, but the old told fairy tales of mountain-sprites and soothsayers. Nothing could be more charming.

Autumn chose to ignore her, walking past without a word. "I said, what were you doing in there?" Iris repeated, her voice louder and more insistent. "What? Do you want it too?" Autumn hissed, pulling out the photocopy of the Leads Orphanage cheque just long enough for Iris to catch a glimpse before tucking it away again. "Unlike some of us, I don’t have the luxury of spending all my free time entertaining someone else’s husband. I still have work to do, even at home," Autumn lied smoothly, hoping Iris would take the bait.

The fragrant aroma of cinnamon and apples mingled with the earthy scent of fallen leaves, creating a sensory symphony that enveloped them. Cynthia nestled her head on Roderick's shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. Their cheeks were rosy from the cool air, and they relished the comfort of each other's presence. "You know," Roderick said with a contented sigh, "there's something truly magical about autumn." Cynthia nodded, her eyes fixed on a pair of squirrels playfully chasing each other among the fallen leaves. "It's a season of change, of letting go and finding beauty in impermanence."

Back when Matteo was blind, this was where they had lived together, just the two of them. She grabbed a shovel and walked to the lush peach tree in the yard. Beneath it, buried deep in the soil, was the time capsule they had made together on Matteo's 18th birthday. She dug it up. The metal box was rusted, and condensation had formed inside the sealed glass jar. She pulled out the folded paper stars one by one, unfolding them carefully. The first note revealed her own handwriting. "I wish for Matteo to see the world again. I wish Matteo a safe and happy life. I wish to always stay by Matteo's side."

Half a month later, in the middle of the night, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Lex. [Audrey, I'm sorry.] I stared at it for a moment, then put the phone down. I didn't reply. Our story had ended long ago. I closed that chapter. From now on, our lives will go their own way—like two roads that'll never cross again.

I chuckled, gave Hendrix’s cock one last grind before standing up. “You better correct your wordings, my old friend. I’m a daughter, not a son.” I muttered before going back to my own place, beside Mark. We continued to play the game but the awkwardness could be felt in the whole circle. Some already left after my scenario. And after that, gradually we are decreasing by multiple students. It was already in the middle of the night when I went to my tent. Hendrix and Kylie were left in the campfire for I think they have to talk and fix their misunderstanding.

Clarita beside her began to cry too. After Autumn had moved to the city, she and Clarita had seen each other less and less. When the tears finally slowed, Autumn wiped her eyes and looked at Dominic. "What else did Grandma say? Go on." Her tone had softened. An embarrassing childhood story like that wasn't something Clarita would share with anyone else. Dominic nodded. He noticed Clarita's sorrowful expression and trembling body. Instinctively, he reached out to steady her. The moment his hand touched her arm, Autumn's eyes widened. Right in front of her, Clarita appeared—whole, alive, sitting in the car.

She was currently tucked away in the sunroom, the afternoon light filtering through the glass, warming her skin but doing little to thaw the coldness in her chest. “You seem to be getting better,” Chloe said to her. They were alone in the quiet confines of the room, the only sound being the rustle of pages. “Yeah, I have been actively trying to avoid anything that would be a cause of stress for me,” Autumn said. She didn't look up from her book, her voice clipped. She was trying to put a premature end to the conversation before it could veer into dangerous territory. “Cause of stress?” Chloe inquired, her brow furrowing. “Are you speaking about my uncle?” she asked, sounding genuinely puzzle