The icy rain was pounding down relentlessly. The strange man walking up the road saw the world through a veil of water as the rain poured off the edge of his wide-brimmed leather hat. Looking out over the sodden landscape, he frowned slightly when he spotted his destination. The cottage looked rather worse for wear, like it hadn’t gotten much care for the last few years, and the yard was choked with weeds. Stopping to check the woodshed, he found it poorly stocked. There was probably enough there to last the winter, but only just. Letting himself into the cottage, he found an old man sitting at the kitchen table with an untouched mug of beer in front of him, just staring out into space. “You got old, my friend.” The strange man commented. The old man looked up, and when he recognized his guest he motioned for him to sit down. “I did get old. You didn’t, I see.” “No, I didn’t.” “Must get awful lonely, that.” The strange man pondered that statement for a minute before nodding. “Sometimes. What about you? Where’s your family?” “Gone.” The old man replied a bit morosely. “The fever took my Ellie and our Melody, and Jake left to start anew with his wife. Can’t say I blame him. There’s not an awful lot left for him here.” “My condolences.” “Oh, don’t you start. It was years and years ago now. It’s practically ancient history.” “It must be difficult, living all alone up here.” “Oh, I manage. God knows why I even bother, but I manage.” A deep silence fell between the two as the strange man seemed to ponder something. Finally, he shook his head as if to clear it and spoke once more. “You could always come with me when I leave. It’s not like there’s much keeping you here.” The old man chuckled. “Decided to steal me away after all, memory man?” “If that’s what you want.” The old man pondered the offer for a few minutes, before finally shaking his head. “No. Thank you for offering, but I can’t be running away with fairies at my age. Besides, I’m rather looking forward to seeing my Ellie again on the other side. Won’t be long now, I’d wager.” “No, I don’t suppose it will.” The strange man stayed for another few hours, although they didn’t talk much in that time. There wasn’t that much to say, really. Finally, with a small sigh, he excused himself and left, vanishing into the driving rain.