Dead or Living Forest?

As soon as the red light rescinded, Josh found his boots resting in dark soil. There were wafts of old stale air invading his senses with the smell of decrepit nature. It was mixed with the heavy smell of putrid grime. 

Around him were many dead trees. Some were crooked, some were downright fallen, and some were still standing but dead inside. Yes, even deader inside than the usual overworked modern man. 

The whole scene painted a picture of death. Not one that had been violent, but a long and slow process. It seemed like the world itself had given up on this forest. But there was one thing that could be noticed. 

Out of death came life. There were plenty of mushrooms that could be seen growing out of the deadwood. But they, too, were twisted and grotesque-looking. It all lacked color. It was as if a lazy painter had just smeared a lifeless brown on it all before quitting.