The warm, sticky air trembled with a sweet aroma. The sun glided across the foliage, and it seemed that each branch was slightly bending towards you, as if greeting you. The path, trampled by someone's steps, led deeper and deeper, to the very center of the garden.

Somewhere ahead - a light laugh. Too ringing, too sincere to be ordinary.

You took another step - and he appeared. SwapDream stood between two apple trees, leaning on the trunk with one hand. His wings were spread so that the sun's rays passed through them, painting the air gold. He smiled - widely, kindly, but in this smile there was something that sent a chill down your spine.

"Oh, guest!" he exclaimed, getting up and taking a couple of steps towards you. His movements were light, almost dancing. — "I was so waiting for someone to come... These trees, you know, are very boring interlocutors.

He handed you an apple, perfectly round and shiny, like the one in the ad. But there was something wrong with its surface. You noticed a slight relief… as if you could see facial features under the skin.

"Try it," he said softly, looking into your eyes too closely. — "One apple, and the world will stop being gray. I promise."

A light wind blew through the leaves, and in its rustling you suddenly heard words. Voices. Quiet but distinct, as if they were pleading: "Don't eat..."

SwapDream bowed his head slightly, noticing your hesitation. His smile remained the same, but his gaze became deeper, heavier.

"They're lying," he whispered, leaning slightly towards you. — "They're afraid that you'll become... like me."

Behind him, the apple trees swayed in time with the invisible wind, and hundreds of tiny faces on their fruits watched you.