What Is A Goodbye?

Sherman D. Brown is the United States representative of the 31st district of California. He had been so for the past nine years and, if god wills it, future senator for the state of California.

An inherent problem within his administration is, of course, corruption. Not just the self-serving type or the nepotistic political dynasty kind, but the incompetent, ignorant bureaucratic red tape that bogs down even the most evil politician in the world.

In fact, the only reason he hadn't run for senator for the past years was that he had too much work piled up and that could bite him in the ass during his election campaign.

Now that he had worked everything out and has officially sent his candidacy, he thought it ought to be time for some R&R.

That cabin in Montana he had been paying for the last three years will surely be worth it. In fact, he could keep it a secret from his wife and take his mistress for a nice little vacation.

"Where did it all go wrong?" He said, gazing longingly at the fast-rising horizon.

"Mr. Brown," Special Agent DeWalt approached him, greeting him respectfully. "I'd like to discuss the accident with you, if it's possible."

"Ah, of course, agent. From which agency are you?" He replied with a genial smile, procuring his glasses from his jacket. He scanned DeWalt's badge. "Ah, the FBI! Continue."

Agent DeWalt continued, speaking delicately. "Yes, sir. Regarding your, uh, companion-"

"My cousin." He corrected. "From Europe. Very danish."

Alright, your 'cousin' had just given her statement. She, along with the other witnesses, Allison Monroe, informed us about your heart attack during the hijacking?"

"Yes, I did. Luckily, however, Richard and his people saved me and the plane. He's a true American hero, that man." He proclaimed, nearly yelling it to the world.

Agent DeWalt merely hummed. "Well, we found a briefcase right next to the flight black box. It contained a custom-gripped M1911 pistol and two leather pouches of unknown origin."

"What are you saying, agent? That somehow the man who saved two dozen American citizens and stopped millions of dollars' worth of aviation equipment from dealing damage to American cities has something to do with this matter?" Sherman went to the offensive, knowing how presumption works in his favor. "The way I see it: the man loves his second amendment."

"I, uh, I'm not saying that, sir. We're just trying to clear up this matter. Our sources indicate that Mr. Greythorne has not been issued a license-"

"So does 20 million other Americans with guns. Why do you keep pounding him?" He interrupted, neatly folding his crumpled suit. "Do I need to talk to your superior, agent? This man is a hero, one that had the humbleness to let others take the credit of saving the plane."

Agent DeWalt narrowed his eyes, but he conceded in deference to the man's status. "There's no need, sir. We're just here to confirm that the four bodies at the back of the plane were the hijackers."

"Yes, they are. Are we done here, agent?"

"Yes, we are."

●●●30 Minutes Later●●●

Gordon watched as the two agents, left disgruntled by Irwin's curt answers, thanked him and went about their way. He too had been subjected to a rough questioning, more so when the agents figured out his lack of records for the past decade.

"You good?" He asked.

"Never better," Irwin replied, massaging his left eyebrow. "I'm never gonna be casting that spell again."

"I gotta say, that was cool as fuck!" Gordon admitted.

"Well, glad you liked it. It's a fucking miracle my arm didn't burn." He shook left arm, rousing it from drowsiness.

"So, what are we gonna do with Brown?" Gordon asked, a frown now on his face. "You really gonna share your toys with him?"

"'Course not. But you gotta admit, having him on our back makes the job a lot easier." Irwin pointed out with a pursed lip.

"I don't like it," Gordon said. "He's gonna get greedy and, once he's settled in our world, he's gonna stray away from your influence."

"Let him." Irwin smirked, surprising Gordon. "Hell, I'd welcome the challenge."

"It's gonna bite your ass, Richard." Gordon said with finality. "But I guess any man who can burn a fucking ghost with his bare hands can do whatever he wants. Oh, hey! Your mistress is here. I'll see you in the car."

Gordon patted Irwin's shoulder and left towards the entrance, nodding towards the fast approaching Allison.

Irwin smiled at her as she took a sit beside him. "Hey, miss. I was supposed to meet this girl at the airport, but apparently, she's a bit lost. Can you help me out?"

"Oh, that's a shame," she cooed, going along. "What's the girl look like?"

"About 5'6. Cute, brunette, beautiful smile, smells..." He stared at the horizon, smelling the air.

"Heavenly?" She said, a blushing smile on her face.

"Like teen spirit!" He finished, earning a playful strike to his shoulder.

She stared at the rising sun, head resting on his shoulder. "I guess this is goodbye, huh?"

"Maybe."

"Do you think I'll see you again?" She asked in a hopeful tone.

Irwin pursed his lips.

"So, this is goodbye?"

"Yeah." He replied.

Allison felt tears prickling her eyes and looked up at the ceiling, praying that he couldn't see her like this. "W-What if I don't know how to say goodbye?"

Irwin gazed at her, bringing his hand to her chin and softly guided her head so that their eyes met. Tears could now be seen in her unblemished skin as rays of light tore through the morning clouds, making her more seem angelic.

He knew this was just a one-off thing, nothing more than a simple fling. He would have many of these in the coming days. Don't get him wrong, it was not in his nature to do so. In his past life, if he had the chance to date such a darling of a woman, then he would have. Not that he could have.

But the identity of Sebastian Archibald Richard Greythorne IV, both that of the hunter and the heir to the lineage, held him accountable to many lives. And with it comes also the innumerable danger.

He did not know why he was being this sentimental about a girl he barely knew. What they had was short and, sure, it was sweet, but had, nevertheless, passed the temporal boundary to which any feeling could matter.

'Maybe because I'll be doing this for a long time,' he thought. 'with my strength and potential, I could reach far in my life and, unfortunately, only those whom I deemed worthy were allowed to accompany me.'

'There would be many like you, ingenues wondered by my prowess and unabashed confidence.' he continued, letting out a weary sigh that confused the hopeful Allison. 'Alas, many risks will come, if not for you, but for me. Too much soft targets for them to choose.' 

He would remember her, of course. After all, she was his first time in both this world and the last. Something he had kept to himself in both worlds.

Irwin caressed her soft cheeks and brought his head to her ears. Her smell pervaded his senses, bringing home the fact that he would never smell her again.

He whispered to her ears, soft words spoken with love and regret. "Then, maybe, just for today, I could teach you how to say goodbye."