Long shadows and harsh sunlight that promised a hot day ruled the suburbs the train sped through. Once again it was morning on a train. While the big city of Paris woke to a new day, Carensa sat in a train car that with every rail joint left the metropolis further and further behind.

Every now and then a poplar tree flew by outside the window. They disappeared without becoming anything other than blurry outlines, but still she could see that the deep green color no longer was so deep. Other trees that she could see more of, already showed yellow leaves here and there. August would end soon, and summer with it.

Carensa turned into the train to not have to face the signs of an approaching autumn. Empty seats stared back at her. August was ending and the trains were no longer full.

“If the trains aren’t so full anymore, then why are you still here?” Carensa asked herself the question.

“I don’t know.” Carensa turned to the window again. “Maybe I stayed too long.”

“Can you? I love traveling.”

“Yeah, sure, it’s great. But when the leaves turn brown, then you know.”