Closing the book

Slowly, Theory sat down. "It's alright. We all do strange, unthinkable things when we're young. Then suddenly, we're old - and it all seems miles away. I appreciate you coming back to try and speak with Shaye," her voice broke softly on her adopted mother's name. "It speaks to your character that you would return at all, after so much time has passed. I will hear whatever you have to say, in her honor." A stiff fall breeze cut through the thicket, rustling the leaves until they rattled. Everything was dry and dying or already dead. Evening had begun to fall, casting everything in a red-orange glow; the kind of color you only see in one particular season. "You have as much of my time as you need."