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!"

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  "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.