Before and After (Before and After, #1)

by Andrew Shanahan

But now I have nothing but the intrusions.

I’ve sometimes thought that it would all be over if I just stood up and took ten steps forward. The pain would go – I’d be free from this horrible shell I’ve built around myself. But I can’t even do that because I know Brown would follow me. She watches me every time I drag myself to the kitchen. I know that if I chose to jump out of the window, then she would jump down from the bed and follow me unquestioningly. The thought of her loyal body lying broken next to mine on the street is enough. I won’t do that. So, we go onward.

I think you need to just find a belief in something. Because if you can’t reach out and touch something knowing that it will fill you up and complete you, then all of the prayers of the world and its Saints won’t bring you back.”

Anne Mary Stone Born November 11th 1961. Died November 14th 2017. “I knew you would make it.”

“I made it, too. I don’t know why I made it. I prayed for God to save me, and he did. Me and Brown are going to see if we can return the favour and maybe save the world. But first, we’re going to Disneyland.” THE END