Panel A
Alice, her face healed and whole, draws a great shuddering breath. Her new eyes shine with new tears. Tommy smiles at her. Boogy's mouth drops open in amazement. Samhain watches with quiet resolve.
Panel B
Alice smiles through grateful tears. Boogy smiles with all his teeth. Tommy looks up at Samhain and speaks without fear:
TOMMY: "I choose to love her. And you can't stop me."
Panel C
Alice hugs Tommy, fierce with love and gratitude, and Tommy smiles into her hair. Boogy's smile is frozen on his face as he awaits Samhain's reaction. Samhain continues to watch with the same quiet resolve.
SAMHAIN: "No I can't."
Panel D
The three friends look up at Samhain as he declares his decision.
SAMHAIN: "You surprise me, boy. I am never surprised anymore. That is worth something. Even the Lord of Death can be moved... ever so slightly."
Panel E
Samhain pronounces Alice's punishment. The Lord of Death places his hand on Alice's head. A pale white light seems to gather into her skin as he speaks.
SAMHAIN: "Alice. I give you the only gift it is mine to give: Death, though you will live a long while as a mortal before you receive it. Living means that you will have to face the very fear you once represented in your service to me. You will have to grow up and leave childhood behind. This is no reward. This is my revenge."
Panel F
Samhain vanishes with the doctor's bag, leaving the three friends huddled together on the floor of the ruined parlor. Samhain's voice echoes back to them from across unimaginable distances.
SAMHAIN: "You will return to me one day. Though, I hope, not for a long, long time."
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