Anne Brisden

Straight off, I could feel their warmth.

A soft ball of heat moved into my body,

By the time the dizziness got to me, I couldn't have lifted an eyelid, let alone an arm.

I could feel dribble running down my chin, and my forehead being stroked by a gentle hand.

I woke cradled in his arms, resting against his breasts.

He smiled when I looked up at him.

Then he gently sat me up and massaged the back of my head until I was properly awake.

You can go now, Luke.

It is safe.

The light on the stage slowly faded and the darkness returned.

I was alone.

It wasn't until I'd gone back out through the curtains that I realised that the ringing in my head had stopped and that I was wearing the man's white gown.

The hall was empty and the sun was shining through a window.

Outside, the red dirt road leading away from the church had turned to a sea of mud.

I went out through the door and started walking.

free of pain.

Soon I'd passed the lake and the ruins of the mission.

A few of the old boys had come back from the dead to greet me.

They called me over for a drink but I waved them off and kept on walking.

When I reached the town I walked straight down the middle of the street.