8
Daniel bounded through the Quad like an ape. It was Zoe, the girl from his dream. No mistaking that perfect, round face. And she was wearing purple, just like in the vision. The genie was out of the bottle.
"Daniel! Wait!"
Cassie was right behind him. He had to lose her. This wasn't for her. This was private. This was for him.
He thought he could see something purple up ahead. Nothing more than a flash, but he almost believed she wanted him to follow her. How else to explain it? How often does one dream about someone, someone never seen before, apparently fictitious, only to have that person mysteriously show up the next day while out shopping? Something was going on here, something Daniel did not yet understand. What would he tell her if he managed to catch up with her? He didn't even know. Anything but the truth.
Daniel was out of breath as he reached Mormon Street. He looked both ways and there was nothing. He looked behind – it appeared that he'd managed to lose Cassie, anyway. Then back ahead. Nothing.
He let out an exasperated sigh, and was about to turn to go back.
Then he saw it.
There it lay, in the middle of the street.
A bright, red apple.
He threw up his arm to hold off the oncoming traffic. Daniel was oblivious to the blare of the horns as he scooped up the red bob from the black asphalt. She had taken a big bite out of it. He took a bite, as well, and tucked it into his jacket pocket. That's when he felt something cold, and he realized he was right where he needed to be. The university was only two blocks away.
