The First and Last Paragraph of the Story

We gathered in the woods on that afternoon in golden sunlight that streamed through autumn leaves turning our glade into a golden retreat. Never had it looked so beautiful, nor had Esther and Rachel. It would be a long time and a difficult journey before we once more could embrace. Each to her fate. Those fates that, the wise one says, are worse than death. Mine certainly was.

…

We hugged each other. How could it be possible? We'd survived against the odds. Against forces eldritch intent on turning us to their evil purposes. The sun speckled us in kaleidoscope colours through red, orange, yellow leaves. It was fall again, a whole year that felt more like a lifetime of pain and despair. But Esther and Rachel were there, and that's what counted. It would, however, be many more falls before we were able to look back on what had happened and not shudder.