Daryl, a 20-year-old college student, saw himself—grayish, heavier, and fatigued.


    "Daryl, I''ve come to steer you in the right direction."


    "How so?" asked student-Daryl.


    "No corporate jobs. Earn a Ph.D. Academia is your true calling!"


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "Arf, arf, arf!"


    "What''s with the puppy?" asked student-Daryl.


    "Uhm. I stopped by a rescue 20 years from now. She''s your soulmate. Make sure she walks often."


    "Hold on—this violates temporal causality if you''re changing …"


    "Multiverse." Older-Daryl shook a finger. "No paradoxes. Do you agree with me?"


    Student-Daryl nodded, then older-Daryl immediately vanished.


    The puppy licked Daryl''s face as if she knew.