SOLVED. SF/Apocalypse? About a girl who has a growth (cocoon) that ultimately covers her face. Read in the 80s/90s [s]

[Christian]

Not much more than that I'm afraid. It was in a very similar vein as The Stand or Swan Song. I don't remember what happens when she emerges but it's fairly instrumental to the plot.

[Andy]

That sounds familiar - I read a short story like that in an issue of Asimov's SF magazine in the 1980s or so. Could you have read that issue?

[Martini]

I think I have read a short story like that, too, but unfortunately I can't remember where.
In the story I have read it turned out that (view spoiler)[ their planet's sun had started to change and emit rays or something else that would kill people, and the girl with the cocoon was the first human who had evolved to be immune against those rays. (hide spoiler)]

[Robert]

Swan song by Robert McCammon

[Andy]

Martini wrote: "I think I have read a short story like that, too, but unfortunately I can't remember where.
In the story I have read it turned out that [spoilers removed]"

That was an episode of "Outer Limits" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_o...

[Kris]

Swan Song by Robert McCammon - Robert's suggestion

[Martini]

Andy wrote: "That was an episode of "Outer Limits" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_o..."

That Wikipedia description is quite similar, but I don't remember anything about a rave. I am sure that I have read it, since I have never watched "Outer Limits". Maybe the author of that episode, Steven Barnes, has also published it as a short story somewhere...

[Andy]

Martini wrote: "Andy wrote: "That was an episode of "Outer Limits" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_o..."

That Wikipedia description is quite similar, but I don't remember anything about a rave. I am sure that..."

I haven't found any listing for Steven Barnes having published this separately, but he might have. I'm trying to remember which story published in Asimov's in the 1980s matches the original OP's description, but no luck so far.

[Deanne]

Kris wrote: "Swan Song by Robert McCammon - Robert's suggestion"
I second this suggestion even though it appears you already read it:)

[Christian]

Well I just started reading Swan Song for (what I thought) was the first time, the sense of deja vu continuing to increase until yup, it's definitely Swan Song.

I'm not sure when I read it but it took me 600 pages to realise that this was definitely a return journey.

Thanks for the help everyone--much appreciated!