That unremarkable young man, Rook, had always been so close. Just down the road from the home her family kept.

He'd always been kind and quiet. Never raised his voice. Never scaring her. He had been a kind boy. And, as he grew into a man, he hadn't lost his soft nature. It was something she'd always cherished.

Rachel's parents would never allow her to be more than friends with the boy down the road. Even in a village as small and poor as theirs, there were obvious lines of divisions. And, her family was considered well-off while his was in the depths of poverty.

But, one day, all those divisions became irrelevant. That kind young man had disappeared.

Rachel helped her mother in preparing the evening meal. Rich as they were, they still had to tend to their own needs.

"He left." her mother tsked disapprovingly. "I always thought he was better than that. Leaving your parents to go off on your own. It's not like he'll make a name for himself."

Rachel's eyes were downcast as she peeled the potatoes before her.

"He would have told me if he was going to leave…."

Her mother's face softened as she looked at her daughter. Even though she'd never allow the youth to court her daughter, she knew that they had been close.

"Rachel, dear, men get grand thoughts in their heads. Particularly at his age. They think the world beyond the horizon is somehow brighter than where they started. It's just the way of men to run off."

"He didn't…." she insisted half-heartedly.

Her mother looked pensive for a moment, "Hope that he did, then. Cause, if he didn't…"

The older woman left her words unfinished. It wasn't something she wanted to force her daughter to confront.

Understanding the meaning of her mother's words, Rachel felt her eyes sting.

The pair continued in silence, the mood low.

As a dinner of meat and potatoes was presented on the dining room table, Rachel's father took the seat of honor.

Next to the patriarch was his wife and, across from her, the eldest son. A pair of younger brothers took up spaces down the line. And Rachel, the only daughter, sat beside her mother.

The family ate in silence for some time before Rachel's father spoke.

"Sweetie," he looked to his daughter.

The family looked up from their feast at the broken silence.

Rachel swallowed the food in her mouth and met her father's eyes.

"We need to discuss the Korey boy."

The young woman felt herself freeze, he wasn't referencing Rook. But rather, the young master of the Korey family that her family had ties to.

Rachel's father wasn't a strict man by any measure. He had allowed her great freedom throughout her youth. But, there had always been an expectation that went, mostly, unsaid.

"He's grown into a fine young man," she said stiffly.

Her younger brothers showed sympathetic looks, while the eldest's face was a stoic mask. They all knew what she wanted.

The patriarch sighed. He did cherish his only daughter. But, certain realities could not be denied. In many ways, Rook's disappearance was a blessing for the man.

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"The young master will be visiting in a couple of days. I'd like it if you could be present."

Rachel looked down miserably.

It wasn't that the young man had a bad reputation. And, she'd been expecting this for some time. Even before Rook had turned up missing.

But, she was in a fragile place in spirit. And, this was just bad news for her.

Her father let out a sigh and continued to eat his dinner. The meal continuing in silence.

After dinner, Rachel was tasked with clearing the table and doing the dishes.

Amid her familiar task, her eldest brother entered the kitchen. He leaned against the wall and watched her in silence for a time.

"What?" Rachel asked in frustration after it became apparent that he wasn't going to say anything.

Her handsome and austere sibling looked at her back as she continued to labor.

"Rook didn't run away."

His words spoke to a truth she didn't want to accept.

He continued, "There was no body, so everyone seems content to say he left on his own. But…."

He waited a moment as if uncertain he wanted to express the words.

"The immortals' sects have been abducting people in the region. We're getting more and more reports of such incidents."

Rachel felt her thoughts lighten at her brother's words. She turned to her brother, a glimmer of a smile threatening to rise on her face.

"You think…"

"No," her brother said with finality.

Rachel felt the smile that almost touched her lips fall downcast.

The man sighed, "You know, I never saw much in him. He was weak and timid. He wouldn't have made a good husband."

Resentment built in her. But, just as she was about to express her discontent, he continued.

"However…. I could always see what you liked about him. He was kind. And, in his way, capable. But, that's not enough to be immortal.

"He didn't run. But, he's probably dead by now."

Rachel felt tears start to fall from her face.

She knew her brother wasn't trying to be cruel. And yet, his words hurt her so much.

Still, her brother continued. His tone more even than before.

"If, somehow, he survived. He won't be the same boy you knew. He'll be an immortal.

"There's no future for you with him. One way or the other, you are fated to not be with him."

Rachel felt herself smile through her tears.

"I…. I only hope that he's still alive."

Her stoic brother showed a rare, sysmpathetic, smile. "I hope so too."

She turned back to her chore while he went off on his way.

The night passed. And, the next day, Rachel went to the butcher's shop. Rook's brother, Jerol, minded the store. It was a pleasant meeting. But, of course, there was no news of Rook.

Another night passed and the day she was to meet the young master of the Korey family came.

The family hosted the young man with all the dignity their family could muster.

"Thank you," the young man said as they shared tea. "Our families have a long history together. Together, we can make our village thrive in ways it never has before."

Rachel sat beside her mother while her father discussed the state of affairs the village was experiencing. It was all rather dry.

"I think," the young master said as he looked at Rachel, "that I would like to go for a walk. Perhaps I could ask for your daughter to accompany me."

The young woman smiled stiffly as she said, "I would enjoy that."

Her parents shared a look before parting ways with the young pair.

Rachel left the house with the young master and they traveled through the village.

"Rachel," the man said softly. "I want you to know that I truly do respect your family. And I know that you are reluctant to accept our coming engagement. But, I will not disgrace you."

Rachel smiled peacefully but said nothing.

As the pair walked past the shack that Rook once called home, Rachel couldn't help but look at it. The vain hope that she would see the boy she'd known so well stirred in her heart.

As she was about to turn her eyes from the shack, a flash of orange came across the building's entryways.

What she saw surprised and excited her. Rook had walked forth just as she crossed the path to his home.

She couldn't contain her excitement and called out, "Rook!"

Her partner was surprised to watch her run to the unremarkable house. But, when his eyes caught on the figure of a man, he froze.

Even at a distance, he could tell the remarkable quality of the man's clothes. By all rights, the man wore silk.

The Korey family, rich as it was, was only so in comparison to the rest of the poverty-stricken village. And yet, some nobleman had appeared in the village. His betrothed to be even earnestly ran to meet the man.

Discontent stirred in the man's heart. But, he suppressed it and walked quickly to catch up to Rachel.

Rachel's smile was the most vibrant it had been in months. Her childhood friend was home. He was safe.

She wanted to hug him. But, stopped herself just shy of the act.

"Rook! You're back."

The young man she'd known all her life smiled a smile that spoke to a nostalgia that seemed deeper than it should be. But, the warmth seemed somehow….. gone.

Confusion came over the young woman as she looked at the man who'd been gone a few months and yet seemed lifetimes separated from who he'd been.

Rook…." She hesitated.

Suddenly, her eyes caught on his exquisite clothes. Surprise turned to alarm.

"Rook…. What…. What's going on?"

The young man who seemed ageless smiled sadly, "I think we should talk."

Rachel felt her heart sink. In a moment, she realized.... Rook was an immortal.