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 which scurries away under some furniture.

Manda sees ghosts of the Doctor and her downstairs neighbour, Kenny, in her bedroom. Kenny also received a tendril, as did several others in the domicile block, according to the Doctor. The Doctor explains that the tendrils are the spores of a "thing" that feeds on conflict and is now weak, but if it stays with the lonely people in the domicile, it will recover its strength. Later, Kenny tells Manda that the Doctor told him they have to start talking with the other residents, as the creature can't deal with such interaction. Despite their reluctance, Manda and Kenny agree to do so.

Characters

 * Seventh Doctor
 * Manda
 * Kenny

Continuity
to be added