Separation (short story)

Separation was the second short story in the Short Trips anthology Short Trips: 2040. It was written by Tara Samms. It featured the Seventh Doctor.

Summary
Manda, an employee of Buildworth, sees "ghosts" in her domicile. She and most of the other residents avoid human contact whenever possible.

One day while checking her mail, she encounters the Seventh Doctor. She avoids speaking to him. She later receives a note telling her that her ghosts are real. The next day she receives a package containing a sticky tendril of something. It scurries away under some furniture.

As she tries to avoid the ghosts in her domicile, she discovers that the Doctor and her downstairs neighbour, Kenny, are right outside her door. Kenny also received a tendril, as did several others in the domicile block, according to the Doctor. The Doctor explains that the tendrils feed on conflict and are now weak, but if they stay with the lonely people in the domicile, they will recover their strength. He encourages Manda and Kenny to find the tendrils and destroy them. Despite their reluctance, Manda and Kenny agree. Kenny suggests they ask other residents to help them.

Characters

 * Seventh Doctor
 * Manda
 * Kenny

Continuity
to be added