A short goodbye to Nick Cutter.

My mind begins to shut down. The image of his body, curled up to Connor's chest, is almost too much to bear. He was never vulnerable, he never needed to help, until now. And now, it's too late. I watched his soul fly away, fly to whatever is next, fly to Stephen.

The hole in my heart rips open again, the pain and the darkness flooding back. I can't think. He was my anchor, invincible, untouchable. I never even considered that this could happen. And now it has, and I am too late to say goodbye.

If only. If only I had gone instead. If only I had stopped him. If only Helen had died. If only I had gone instead of Connor, gone to find him, then I could have said goodbye. I could have shared the journey, as his soul escaped the pain of this world.

Nick Cutter. Your name will pass into legend, into myth. The man to whom all this belonged. The anomalies, the monsters. They were here for you, but they continue now you are gone. To pass on your story, through generations, until one emerges who is you incarnate. But no-one will. You were unique, and no-one will ever stand in your place on this earth.

I watch your body gently lowered into the earth. I can't bear it, but I have to. I need this pain to end. People talk about closure, and maybe this is it. But no. When the first patter of earth on your coffin comes, I turn away. The pain stays, and this time, no-one will plug the gap.

I tried to make this one different from Stephen's goodbye, because they were different people. Please review.