There was a small forest behind Roxy’s house, and she often cut across it to get to Charlie’s house. It was much quicker than walking along the road, around the forest. Today was no different. She went around her house, stepping onto the familiar path that led to Charlie’s street.

As Roxy walked along the path, breathing in the familiar nature-scent, she noticed something glowing a little ways up.

“What is that?” she mumbled to herself.

When she got closer, she noticed that it was a tree, glowing a bright shade of green. As she took a few tentative steps closer, Roxy felt a cold, icy dread creep up her spine. She quickly realized that it was the same oak tree from her dream, and knew she had to go show Charlie.

Roxy raced out of the forest, quickly rounding the bend that led to Charlie’s house. She ran down the street, her breath coming out in pants as she skidded to a halt in front of his house. She saw him talking to his mother on the porch and feared that if the oak tree was real, Charlie’s dad might have died as well.

“Charlie,” she called, continuing her walk to him up the driveway. “Hello, Mrs. Mousee. Charlie, is your dad okay?”

Charlie was a handsome boy with sloppily cut brown hair that slightly obscured his amber eyes from view. His glasses perched precariously on the tip of his nose, somewhat magnifying his eyes. He subconsciously pushed them back up to the bridge of his nose, running a hand through his tangled hair.

His bright smile wavered as she walked up. “What? Yeah, he’s fine. I mean, he’s still sick, but he didn’t get any worse.”

“Huh? Oh good. Then why was your mom talking to you?” Now Roxy was confused; Mrs. Mousee was usually out of the house before Charlie left for school, thus worrying Roxy that something was wrong with his father.

“Uh... Because she’s my mom? She took off work today so she could go with my dad to his doctor’s appointment.”

“Oh. It’s just that I had this weird dream where your dad died, and some other things happened that came true. Speaking of that, I have to show you something.”

“Um… okay.” Charlie said, still confused. They said a quick goodbye to his mother, then turned to head to school. They walked down the street, but instead of continuing straight ahead to go to school, Roxy led him left down the path to the forest. Charlie followed her silently as she tugged on his arm, forcing him to follow faster. When they both got to the tree, Roxy said, “See?”