The evening's cool breeze brushed gently against her temple. A few dark strands of hair fell across her face as a wistful autumn wind brushed past her, tugging futilely at the silken locks spun into a loosely gathered bun at the nape of her neck.
With a sigh, she lifted her hand and caught the unfurling errant curls and tucked them behind her ear. The air seemed to crackle as her gaze spanned the scene in front of her. It was not even the last of summer and autumn was already early, judging by the riot of colors that dressed the barely-there trees. Vivid hues of green and reds and orange blinked among the mossy branches as the last rays of the setting sun touched them, creating a miasma of color on display.
Despite the lingering traces of a subtle damp heat that skimmed the breadth of the evening wind and the gently dipping shadows of the setting sun, the garden was still brimming with life. Women dressed in their walking best, laughed gaily at the flitting ducks that seemed reluctant to relinquish their hold on the still-warm waters of the brick faced pond that was the center piece of the vast topiary that circled the breadth of the countryside.
She had no idea how it was that she found herself here.
Something was not right, and she knew it instinctively, just as she knew that the carelessly milling crowd in front of her were not of her time.
No, not even the trees and the setting sun seemed real anymore. For a brief second, she squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath and when they opened, they were blazing with a sudden knowledge that caused her to stumble forward blindly into the crowd.
Was it even possible? Maybe she would soon know, she thought, glancing down at her slippered feet that seemed to be moving of their own accord, pushing her forward to a place that her heart seemed to know existed albeit her mind refused to acknowledge it.
It was the voice that did it. It was strong and clear. Too clear in fact. Although, spoken in a low baritone, it stood out among all the rest of the banter and cackle around her like a beacon that beckoned.
Her heart quickened and for a moment, she stood transfixed. Her breath caught in her throat as the scenery in front of her seemed to swirl and dance into a mindless haze of blinding light and shadowy darkness. It tugged at the corners of her mind, evoking memories, summoning feelings that were buried deep within her. Buried with a desperation borne more out of necessity than pain.
Hands balled into fists, she fought back against the growing surge of hopelessness and despair that threatened to drown her.
Drawing herself up, she unclenched her hands and lifting her skirts to avoid the red dust and swirling dry leaves, she squared her shoulders and started down the tree lined path that cut through the center of the sprawling gardens.
As she neared the end of the path that curved inwards and deeper towards the backwoods that hedged the gardens, she abruptly swung to her left. The gathering gloom came rushing to greet her as she walked towards a clump of looming oak trees by the side of the path. This section of the undergrowth lacked the calculated beauty and pristine look of the front of the gardens. Huge masses of underbrush grew wild along the edges of the path scattered with looming dark trees that hinted at the wilderness of the backwoods beyond.
Her steps faltered as she vaguely realized that something had changed in her surroundings.
And then…picked up again as the realization hit her.
It was the sudden quietness that lay like a thick blanket all around her. The hush and quiet was a startling difference from the loud chatter and unbridled laughter of the maudlin crowd she had left behind.
She had come quite close to the two now.
She could now hear the ringing laughter and shrill tones of the woman. It cut into her like a raw blade slicing through an open vein and she gritted her teeth.
She knew that voice and would know it anywhere. It was the one thing she hated the most after the yankees. Silently she cursed herself for not having anticipated that.
Of course. she would be here too! Wasn't that how it was supposed to be?
"After all", she said in a voice that shook ," SHE is the reason I am here, aren't I"?