The Annex: Joan's Future

The emptied sleeping-tablet containers lie in Joan's lap, while she smothers her wet face in Neil's favourite jumper.

Neil is coming for her. She calls desperately, slurring his name, but he flies away laughing. Her arms outstretched for him, she sobs loudly.

When he returns she's twenty years old. She kisses him on the lips but his body fades and she is left holding his smiling head.

And then there is lacerating pain, spasmed agonies and darkened vision until

Neil returns
and takes her hand,
he leads her away from her pain
and they become young and timeless forever