Daylight

           Dannyawokewithamuffledgaspfromaterribledream.Therehadbeenanexplosion.Afire.TheOverlookwasburningup.Heandhismommywerewatchingitfromthefrontlawn.

           Mommyhadsaid:"Look,Danny,lookatthehedges."

           Helookedatthemandtheywerealldead.Theirleaveshadturnedasuffocantbrown.Thetightlypackedbranchesshowedthroughliketheskeletonsofhalfdismemberedcorpses.AndthenhisdaddyhadburstoutoftheOverlooksbigdoubledoors,andhewasburninglikeatorch.Hisclotheswereinflames,hisskinhadacquiredadarkandsinistertanthatwasgrowingdarkerbythemoment,hishairwasaburningbush.

           Thatwaswhenhewokeup,histhroattightwithfear,hishandsclutchingatthesheetandblankets.Hadhescreamed?Helookedoverathismother.Wendylayonherside,theblanketsuptoherchin,asheafofstraw-coloredhairlyingagainsthercheek.Shelookedlikeachildherself.No,hehadn’tscreamed.

           Lyinginbed,lookingupward,thenightmarebegantodrainaway.Hehadacuriousfeelingthatsomegreattragedy

           (fire?explosion?)

           hadbeenavertedbyinches.Helethisminddriftout,searchingforhisdaddy,andfoundhimstandingsomewherebelow.Inthelobby.Dannypushedalittleharder,tryingtogetinsidehisfather.Itwasnotgood.BecauseDaddywasthinkingabouttheBadThing.