The Last Hunt
A work of fiction by Tsao Alexander
Waterton Publishing Company
This is a work of fiction. The events described are imaginary and the settings and characters are fictitious and not intended to represent actual places, companies, or persons.
Copyright © 2026 by Waterton Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved.
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THE LAST HUNT
CHAPTER 2
Shea stopped at passenger drop-off for United. It was a good thing she had an SUV because Thomas packed two large duffels, two rifle cases – the hard kind, and a carryon bag. He pulled all of it out of the Honda and waved down an attendant, who loaded everything onto a luggage cart which he then began slowly pushing to the ticket counter.
It was 5:30 in the morning. “Bon Voyage great explorer!” yelled Shea as she opened her door, “Be safe! I’m off to Starbucks!”
Thomas waved goodbye with a smile. Three months of tax work behind him and the wild beasts and unknown in front of him. Time for some much-needed R and R.
An hour or so later Thomas was seated in the concourse waiting for the flight, which wasn’t until 9:15. He closed his eyes and started to drift off when a woman’s voice, rather loud, startled him awake.
“Anybody sitting here?” the woman wanted to know.
“Um, not to my knowledge,” replied Thomas with one eye open. It was the seat right next to him, and there were plenty of open seats in the waiting area.
She plopped down and clutched her bag; “Are you waiting for the flight to DC?”
“Yes.” Thomas considered whether it was too early to go to the concourse bar or airline lounge. He had first-class tickets…perhaps the lounge.
“So am I.” the woman confirmed.
Thomas took a moment to examine her more closely. She was middle-aged and not, in his opinion, unattractive. ‘Why did she sit next to me?’ “So you are.”
“Is that your final destination? DC? I’m going on to Cape Town.”
Now Thomas was miffed. Who was the person? Airport security? Or just nosy. Or perhaps bored. “That sounds nice.” Thomas said in a bland tone. He had no intention of telling this person that he too was bound for South Africa. Good God! Could she also be in first class? Thomas sat up in the chair. “I have to find a bathroom,” he whispered.
“It’s right over there,” the woman pointed to an escalator, “up there. I’ll watch your stuff if you want. You don’t have to worry, I’m safe.” She smiled. Thomas liked the smile.
But he wasn’t about to leave his stuff with a stranger. “No no…I’ll take it, nice chatting, maybe I’ll see you on board.” With that he was off to find the airline lounge.
The woman was in the seat next to Thomas in first class. She was standing in the first-class boarding line. Thomas saw her. He had a draft beer and some nuts in the airline lounge and his disposition was much more relaxed. He was on vacation, he decided, and that was a time to ‘let down the hair.’ ‘Who knows? It’s a long flight.’ He grinned only slightly.
To be continued…
