In Pherea, the first manned mission to Mars brings back a little creature with a remarkable physiology. But that's not all that is hiding within the blind, loose-skinned, alien animal; its most astounding ability is soon captured in pill form at a lab, creating a drug that induces a sort of enhanced virtual reality experience with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of depression, mental illness, trauma, phobias, and other conditions. One thing's for sure; its introduction will have long-lasting consequences on the whole of humanity. A pandemic blankets the earth in Apples and Lemons, forcing Florence and Corey to spend their days inside, trying their best not to lose their marbles in the process. The McNairs are under lockdown too, putting a considerable strain on their family life, but since they're tired of simply sitting around and waiting, they decide on a somewhat drastic approach. But what the McNairs as well as Florence and Corey are being told about the dire situation soon starts to unravel before their very eyes, and the emerging picture isn't a pretty one. If someone asked you to sit next to them while they sleep, to watch over them, would you do it? A retired scientist wants exactly that of his brother's grandson; to keep him company as he naps during the day, since he avoids sleeping after the sun's gone down. He soon discovers why, in Regarding Nelson, the last tale that also lent its name to the entire collection.