"You were dreaming about Max turning into a wolf?"

"Yes."

"During a sex dream?"

"Yes, Neela," I say, exasperated. We are walking to the coffee shop, and our shift begins in a few minutes. We are raking a shortcut to the cafe. A dirt path snaking out of the back of Neela's faculty building.

Someone bumps into me.

"Umpfh"

What hits me first is the stench that emanates from him. This one is unlike anything I've ever smelt. The smell is cold and frigid...it is so pungent, my eyes water. I imagine that if death had a smell, this would be it.

Something else about the stranger puts me on...